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EEC’s Proposed Regulations An Overview

A new approach to Group, School-Age and Family Child Care Regulations

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Family Child Care

Group & School Age Child Care

Pre-K Standards

Current Regulations Promulgated 10/12/2003

Current Regulations have beenIn place since 1997

Standards implemented 2003for Public Schools & Community Partnership Programs

Building From The Work Of Our Legacy Agencies- OCCS and ELS

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Our Values

Children and families first! Maintain or increase quality; Carefully consider the effect of all changes on providers

or programs. Keep the Tri-lemma in balance; Take the best from our current regulations and

standards; Align regulations across program type when possible ; Research regulations and standards from other states,

NAEYC, Head Start, NIOST, NAFCC, and the military care system;

Make regulations consistent with those of other state agencies where needed.

Push and Pull

Every change recommended by the committee was based on weighing its impact on each leg of the Tri-lemma.

Quality, Affordability and Access

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Regulation Review Process Timeline

Board provides input on alignment approach Dec.2005/Jan. 2006 EEC develops draft regulations January 2006-March 2007 Board update on draft regulations March 2007 Intensive informal external review process May-August 2007 Revisions to draft August - October 2007 Presentation to the EEC Advisory November 2007 Board vote to send out for public comment November 2007 Implementation preparation Fall 2007 - Spring 2008 Public Hearings Winter 2007/08 Board vote on final regulations after revisions Winter 2007/08 Technical assistance/training Spring/Summer 2008 New regulations take effect Fall 2008

Outreach to providers and programs on the proposed changes

Meetings: 21 across the state

attended by over 1,000 peopleSurvey: 389 people completed the

on-line surveyE-mail: over 130 commentsU.S. Mail: received 86 letters

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HighlightsThe proposed changes, your feedback,

and our response

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The Proposed Regulations have Three Program Types

Family Child Care Up to 10 children, infants to school-age, in a residence (includes FCC, FCC+, and LFCC under one license type).

NEW! Small Group and School Age Care Up to 10 children but not in a residence.

Large Group and School Age Care 11+ children includes both group and

school age under one license type.

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7.02: New Definitions

Educator– the new umbrella term referring to all early education and care staff

It includes all Family, Group, and School Age staff. 

Makes it easier to read the regulations.

It's what staff do every day.

Lead Teacher Teacher Assistant Teacher• Director I, II Program

Administrator Site Coordinator Group Leader Assist. Group Leader Family Child Care

Provider Certified FCC

Assistant Regular FCC

Assistant Individual titles will still be used when a requirement (like qualifications) pertains to a specific type of educator.

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7.03 Licensure

Family Child Care: more locations of care allowed

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7.04 Administration

NEW! Plan to avoid suspension and termination of children Parent meeting Referrals Supports (consultant, training, staffing) Behavioral intervention plan.

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New Section: 7.05 Interactions Among Educators and

Children

Based on recent research in brain development and interactions

Emphasizes and institutionalizes existing "best practice"

Aligns Massachusetts standards with other national quality standards

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7.06 Curriculum and Progress Reports

•read with all children daily

•60 minutes of physical activity daily

•planned, organized and flexible transitions

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7.06 Curriculum and Progress Reports

Progress reports for all children in care, regardless of age or setting

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7.07 Physical Facility Requirements

Fall Zones for Outdoor Play? Too much, too soon!

Impact absorbing material under swings, slides, and structures was mandated in group child care regulations in 1998.

Comments: Much concern about cost and the effect on FCC homes and school age programs housed in public schools.

EEC will:Continue active monitoring of playground safety.Help programs achieve over longer period of time.Provide technical assistance on alternative outdoor play options.

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7.07 Physical Facility Requirements

Water Safety Second adult for swimming or boating * Adult familiar with pump switch Lifeguard * Doesn’t include wading pools

Carbon monoxide detectors Lead paint notification Integrated Pest Management

Plans

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New Section:7.08 Family Involvement

Support partnerships with parents

Offer pre-enrollment meeting

Provide written information about program (parent handbook)

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7.09 Staff Qualifications and Development

No qualification changes now In development:

competency-based qualifications

system for on-going professional development

EEC Registry and annual registration

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7.09 Staff Qualifications and Development

Professional development hours Family Child Care: 10 hours per year professional

development Small and Large Group: 5, 12 or 20 hours per

year, depending on work schedule 25% must address diverse learners

NEW! Mandatory orientation to the field

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MA Early Education and Care and Out of School Time Workforce Development Task Force

Collaboration by EEC, UWMBMV, and Schott Fellowship Broad based membership from business, education,

training, government Recommend achievable, actionable next steps to EEC Advise EEC on long term workforce development plan

4 Committees:• Articulation/Transfer Agreements/Credit for Prior

Learning • EEC Orientation • Core Competencies • Credentialing and Career Lattice

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7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision

Changes based on type of group and ages of children Multi-age Groups Fixed Age Groups Mixed Age Groups

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7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision

NEW! Group assignment can be based on developmental factors not just age

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7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision

School age staff to child ratios will stay 1:13!

Supervision appropriate to ages, development, behaviors and activities of children• Supports growing

independence• Protects children

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7.11 Health and Safety

Training in the “5 Rights” of medication administration

Training by a licensed health care practitioner

Trained educator always on the premises

All educators trained to recognize side effects

Administration of Medication

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To minimize the risk of SIDS…

• Back to Sleep…always!• No pillows, comforters, stuffed

animals• Update program policy• Train Staff• Inform Parents

Care for no more than 12 hrs. in 24.

7.11 Health and Safety

Tooth brushing: Many program concerns. EEC will provide technical assistance rather than require.

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7.12 Transportation

Clarifies that existing RMV requirements apply to all

a written plan for safety and supervision of children

appropriately licensed drivers car seats, safety carriers, restraints or

seat belts emergency communication system

If you provide or contract for transportation…

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Comments from the EEC Advisory…

Progress reports: Consider a different name so educators are not put off by the concept.

Transitions: Ensure that information goes with a child changing programs or starting school.

Curriculum: The proposed regulations should underscore the importance of play.

Fall Zones: Consider phasing them in as programs add new equipment or playgrounds.

will kick off the formal comment process!

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An Opportunity For Educators And Families

These new regulations will:

Give educators more flexibility to support quality and accountability;

Help all educators grow as our field of early education and care evolves;

Align care for children across all settings and developmental stages;

Give educators more ways to improve access and continuity for children and families.

Thank you !