2010 Law and Rule Updates Review of New Legislation and Child Care Requirements Presented by the NC Division of Child Development

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 2 Types of Changes Child Care Laws –NC General Assembly Child Care Rules –NC Child Care Commission Packets with summary of rule changes mailed to licensed centers in September

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 3 NC General Statutes Nutrition Standards Responsible Individuals List Early Educator Certification

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 4 Nutrition Standards Asked Commission to consider rules: Limiting sweetened beverages Limiting juice from a bottle Require reduced fat milk –For children over 2 years of age

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 5 Nutritional Resources

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 6 Responsible Individuals List Managed by DSS Serious abuse or neglect substantiations Names on former list cleared

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 7 Early Educator Certification Recognizes and Validates the Educational Accomplishments of Early Educators Required for all teaching Staff –Current Staff by July 1, 2012 –Staff Hired after October 1 st within 60 days of employment GS (8a)

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 8 Early Educator Certification Two Standardized Scales –Early Care and Education Professionals –School Age Professionals 14 Levels (includes Para-Professional) Required renewal every 3 or 5 years

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 9 Early Educator Certification The Benefits: Centralized source of workforce data Incentive to continue education Professionalism Keeps NC current with other states Tangible benefits through EEC Rewards

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 10 Early Educator Certification How to Apply: NC Institute for Child Development Professionals [Application form] Official Transcript Check or Money Order October – December 2010, fee is Half Price!

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 11 Early Educator Certification Certifying Agency: PO Box 959, Chapel Hill, NC

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 12 NC Child Care Requirements: Definition Changes Basic School Age Care [BSAC] Training First Aid Kits Health Care Professionals Track Out Programs

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 13 Records Annual update of emergency information Written notice of administrative actions and substantiated abuse and neglect complaints Arrival and departure records

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 14 Electronic Record

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 15 Staff/Child Interactions Staff shall relate to children in Positive ways… For example, staff shall: Make eye contact Engage in children’s conversations Help children develop problem-solving skills Provide positive reinforcement Encourage efforts Recognize accomplishments CCR.0501

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 16 NC Outdoor Learning Environment Alliance A statewide collaborative initiated by the NC Office of Early Learning and the NC Division of Child Development created to improve the quality of outdoor environments and experiences for all children throughout the state

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 17 Activity Schedule: Outdoor Play All Children must play outside at least once per day Under 2 years of age – 30 minutes Two years of age and older – 1 Hour CCR.0508

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 18 Weather Permitting Outdoor play is only required when Weather Conditions Permit Child Care Weather Watch Chart Air Quality Index Chart No active precipitation CCR.0102

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 19

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 20

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 21 Preschool Outdoor Environment Measurement Scale

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 22 Activity Plan and Areas Daily Gross Motor activity –Indoors or Outdoors Special Interest Activity Centers weekly –Music/Movement –Sand/Water –Science/Nature CCR.0508 &.0510

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 23 Activity Plan Infants and toddlers must have their physical development promoted Varied Gross Motor Activities –Listed on activity plan –Daily basis Limited use of High Chairs, Swings, and Carrier/Bouncy Seats CCR.0508 and.0511

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 24 Activity Areas: Screen Time The amount of Screen Time for children must be limited CCR.0510 &.0511 Under 2 years of age NONE 2 years of age & older 2 1/2 hours/week

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 25 Screen Time Screen Time Includes: Television Video Video Games Computer CCR.0510 &.0511

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 26 Screen Time Screen Time must: Only be offered as a free-choice activity Used to meet a developmental goal Be monitored CCR.0510,.0511 &.2508

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 27 General Safety First Aid kit –Basic Items –Accessibility –No Medications Firearms and ammunition CCR.0604

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 28 Breastfeeding Accommodations for breastfeeding mothers –Provide seating and electrical outlet –Shielded from view of staff and public –Cannot be located in a bathroom CCR.0901

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 29 School Age Care: Track-Out A track-out program that operates all four tracks for more than four hours per day must be licensed. CCR.2502

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 30 School Age Care: Activities School age children must participate in the planning and implementation of their daily activities Help with lesson plans Assist with directed activities or transition times Documentation CCR.2508(b)

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 31 Activities - School Age Children School age children’s activities must come from 12 broad categories 1.Career Development 2.Community Awareness 3.Creative Arts 4.Cultural Activities 5.Games or Manipulatives 6.Academic Enrichment CCR.2508(c)

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 32 Activities - School Age Children School age children’s activities must come from 12 broad categories CCR.2508(c) 7.Homework Assistance 8.Reading 9.Sand/Water Play 10.Social/Life Skills 11.Physical Activities 12.Technology Skill-building

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 33 Implementation New Programs –August 2010 Existing Programs –TA on visits now –January 2011

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 34 Other News

October 2010Division of Child Development Director’s Meeting Slide 35 For More Information Your Child Care Consultant