CHILD CARE LICENSING

Isanti County Family Services licenses family child care homes in Isanti County. Child care licensing is required when persons are providing care for children outside the limits of legally unlicensed providers. The State of Minnesota has set minimum standards for licensing that are defined in Minnesota Rule 9502.0300 to 9502.0445

If you have further questions, about becoming a licensed child care provider, or would like to report a complaint, please contact the Isanti licensor at 763-689-1711.

FAMILY CHILD CARE

Family child care licensing regulates child care providers in a setting other than a child care center, usually the provider’s residence, for fewer than 24 hours per day.

Family child care is licensed under DHS Rule 2 (Licensing of Family Child Care Facilities). The rule addresses, among other requirements: licensing of homes for family child care and group family child care, licensing process, negative licensing actions, agency records, caregiver qualifications, licensed capacity, child/adult ratios, age distribution requirements, age distribution restrictions, reporting agency, day care training, behavior guidance, admissions, provider records, reporting, activities and equipment, physical environment, sanitation and health, water, food and nutrition.

Rule 2: Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0300 to 9502.0445 – Licensure of Family Child Care Facilities - Family and Group Family Child Care.

In addition to Rule 2, the State of Minnesota has additional statutes which assist with the enforcement and regulations of family child care. They include the following:

A.
DISQUALIFICATION INFORMATION:

245C.13 Background Study Processing
245C.15 Disqualifying Crimes or Conduct
245C.16 Disqualified Individual's Risk of Harm
245C.17 Notice of Background Study Results

B.
Minnesota Statute 245A
Minnesota Statute 245C

For those interested in becoming a licensed child care provider, the Day Care Rule Summary for Parents, provides an overview of the licensing requirements. This includes general licensing information you should be aware of before beginning the licensing process.

Guidelines
Forms
Frequently Asked Questions  (Child Care Licensing/Becoming a Provider)
Links  (State Offices, Statutes & Rules, Training, Safety)
Newsletters
Programs for Preschool Training

ISANTI COUNTY CHILD CARE LICENSING GUIDELINES

Licensing Exclusion:

Beginning July 1, 1999, unless you meet one of the following exclusions, you are required to be licensed.  A license is not required under the following child care situations:

   ● Child Care is provided by a relative to only related children; and/or

   ● Child Care is provided to children from a single, unrelated family.

If you do not meet one of these exclusions OR if you are uncertain of your status, it is important that you contact your county child care licensing unit immediately.

Licensing Laws:

    ●  Must be licensed if providing care for more than one family at any time.

    ●  License issued for one year.

    ·  Child care home will be re-licensed once every 24 months, after the first year.

    ·  Provider must be at least 18 years of age at the time of licensure.

    ·  Family Child Care or Group Family Child Care is not transferable to another operator or site.

Licensing Procedure:

    ·  Call and make initial contact with agency.  Review materials.

    ·  Call agency to register to attend orientation if interested in licensure. Orientation is now eight hours.

    ·  All forms must be returned to agency from applicant prior to submission to the Department of Human Services.

    ·  Submit payment for licensing fee and background study fee. The Agency accepts cash, money order, and/or cashier check.                   

    ·  Plan on 3 - 4 months before licensure is completed.

    ·  The agency will make a licensure recommendation (grant, grant with variance, deny) after the application process is completed.

Physical Examination:
Provider and other care givers having contact with the children must have a physical exam or should have had one within 12 months prior to application.

Training:
Family Child Care providers must complete 6-9 hours of approved Pediatric CPR and first aid training prior to licensure.  Providers are required to receive one hour Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Shaken Baby Syndrome and two hours of Early Childhood Development training prior to licensure. A Shaken Baby Syndrome refresher is required annually and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome training is required every five years after.  Providers are required to receive a Car Seat Restraint System training prior to licensure if they intend to transport children and every five years after. A minimum of eight hours annual training is required to continue licensure.

Insurance:
Provider must have a certificate of insurance for the residence for general liability coverage, for bodily injury in amount of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence - (Daycare Insurance is available).  If not insured, provider must state so in writing and then keep a statement signed by the child care child’s parent(s) which indicated such.  This statement would not remove liability from the provider. 

Pets:
Pets in the house must be vaccinated.  Pets are limited to dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice and birds.

    ·  parents must be notified of pets prior to admission.

    ·  rabies shot current for dogs and cats

    ·  children handle animals only when supervised.

    ·  pet cages located and cleaned away from food preparation area.
 

Physical Environment: 

·  35 square feet of usable floor space is required per child.
               -bathrooms and closets not counted
               -basements may be included but must meet requirements of the Fire Marshall.

    ·  Outdoor play area must be at least 50 square feet per child (park or playground may
 be considered).
- fence may be required to protect children from trains, traffic, water, or machinery.

    ·  Two means of escape from all rooms utilized by the children.  One must be a door to 
       floor  exit - the other a window leading directly outside.  Opening 5.7 square
       feet-dimension opening 20 inches wide (minimum) and 24 inches high (minimum).

    ·  Stairways of three of more steps must have handrails.
- opening between handrail and stair tread must be enclosed.
- gates or barriers must be used when children between 6 to 18 months are in care.

    ·  All doors must be operable from within or out of the room.

    ·  Adequate toilet facilities.

 Water - Food Nutrition:

    ·  Water from a privately owned well must be tested annually by a Minnesota Health Department certified laboratory.

    ·  Milk must be pasteurized.

    ·  Meals including snacks must include servings from basic food groups.  (Food Program available to licensed providers.)
 

Fire and Structural Hazards:

    ·  Stove and heater locations must not block escape in case of fire.

    ·  Unvented room heaters are not permitted.

    ·  Fireplaces, space heaters and wood burning stoves must be protected by guards.

    ·  A portable fire extinguisher with a 2 A 10 B.C. rating required, with placement in cooking area. 

    ·  Smoke detectors are needed on all levels where day care occurs.

    ·  All electrical receptacles accessible to children under first grade must be protected.
 

Emergencies:

    ·  Operable telephone must be located within the home.

    ·  Emergency phone numbers must be posted.

    ·  Operable battery flashlight and radio for use during storms and tornadoes.

    ·  Monthly fire and storm drills must be practiced and logged.  Emergency plan must be known by children.

    ·  Substitute caregiver must be available or provisions made.

    ·  First aid kit must be available and contain: bandages, sterile compresses, ipecac syrup, scissors, ice bag or cold pack, oral or surface thermometer, mild liquid soap and adhesive tape.  A first aid kit manual is also required.  All supplies should be portable.

    ·  Providers must supply parents with written policies concerning care provision prior to  admission.  Example:  a. policy on sick children; b. hours of care.  (Sample will be   provided at orientation.)
 

Records to Keep:

    ·  Family Child Care Admission and Arrangements.

    ·  Permission to Administer Over-the-Counter Medications Form.

    ·  Child Care Immunization Record.

    ·  Permission to Leave Premises Form.

    ·  Provider Policy.

    ·  Family and Group Family Child Care Rule Summary for Parent.

    ·  Permission to Administer Medication (prescribed).

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FORMS

BCA Minnesota Crime Alert Network

Capacity Worksheets
     ●  Definitions
     ●  Class A
     ●  C-1
     ●  C-2
     ●  C-3    

Child/Adult Ratio and Age Restrictions 
A guide for provider for license classes; Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0315 to 9545.0445.

Child Care Curriculum Materials
Suggested programs for day care providers curriculum.

Child Care Immunization Record
Used to keep a current list of child's immunizations.

Child Care Program Reporting Notification
Policies and procedures provided to parents at time of enrollment regarding child abuse and neglect reporting.

Child Safety in License Family child care

Child Care Resource and Referral

Complaint Investigation Protocol

Consent for Release of Information
Use to obtain a background check on provider, any other person living in the household who is age 13 or older, and alternative care providers.

Daycare Licensing Information
This form explains the process of the application for a daycare license.

Drug and Alcohol Policy / Provider Grievance Policy
This policy should be completed by the license holder, signed by license holder and all backup providers, copy sent to licensing worker and original kept in license holders' file.

Enrollment Form
Done at relicensure; include all children in care in past 12 months.

Equipment List
Toys and equipment list for providers.

Family Child Care Licensing Checklist (DHS-4618-ENG 5-08)
Completed for initial and all re-licensing’s and used to check safety of child care home.

Family Day Care Admission and Arrangements (DHS-1715-ENG 4-08)
Parental permission to enroll child in providers child care.

Family Systems Application
State application for child care license used at initial licensing and all relicensings.

Fire Drills
Use this form to document monthly fire and storm drills.

Fire Escape Plan
Procedures for the provider as to a fire in the dwelling.

Fire Extinguisher Service Verification
A guide for requirements and services of Fire Extinguishers.

Fire  Extinguishers
Fire Extinguisher Correction/Inspection Verification to be completed by Fire Inspector.

Fire Marshal Inspection Guidelines
A checklist for the licensor and applicant regarding the residence.

Floor and Escape Plan
Square footage plan of the dwelling and identified rooms in the dwelling.

Food Program

Home Use Agreement
Agreement signed by provider acknowledging intended use of dwelling.

Incident Report For Day Care Provider
This must be completed immediately following any incident, injury, or hospitalization of a day care child.

Initial Licensing Evaluation
Any family member residing in the home of the provider or who intends to work more than 30 days in a 12 month period shall complete this document.

Square Footage Worksheet
Calculation form used to determine square footage in the dwelling.

Licensing Update Statement
Document changes in the household by provider/applicant.

Marketing Ideas
A guide to marketing your business.

Monthly Crib Safety Inspection (DHS-4927-ENG 1-07)
Monthly and annual documentation log to be used when checking safety of all cribs. Included is the recall status search on the back of the form.

Notice of Privacy Practices (DHS-3979-ENG)
Notification of rights regarding public and private data.

Parent Consent for Trampoline Use
Consent by parent form for use of trampoline.

Parent Directive for Alternative Infant Sleep Position

Parent Notification Statement

Permission to Administer
Parental permission to administer over-the-counter medication/products (one form per child).

Permission to Administer Prescription Medication
Parental permission allowing provider to administer prescription medications.

Physicians Report (DHS-1995(3/91)
Completed by physician for initial licensing application.

Personal Safety Resources

Provider’s Agreement
Reviewed by provider.

Reporting to Agency
Rule 2, 9502.0375, standards and situations which mandate time specific reporting to agency.

Requirements for daycare persons
Definitions of Helper, Substitute, Adult Caregiver, and Co- Applicants.

Shaken Baby Quiz    
Check your answers

SIDS Quiz   

Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect Report

Travel and Activity Authorization
Parental permission for child to leave providers' premises.

Variance Request
Used with enrollment form to request a variance to age distributions and/or capacity.

Pool Information and Parent Permission
Families to complete to allow child/children to use the provider's wading pool.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - CHILD CARE LICENSING/BECOMING A PROVIDER

Child care licensing staff is available to answer questions about the licensing process. By working together, the Agency hopes to get providers off to a positive and successful start in the child care field.

Who must be licensed?
Is there a fee for licensing?
Are there any other fees?
How do I get a license?
Will child care licensing staff continue to help me once I am licensed?
What else do I need to know?
How long does the licensing process take?
How many children can I care for at one time?

Who must be licensed?
According to state law, anyone caring for children from more than one unrelated family must be licensed. Providing child care, illegally, is a misdemeanor.

Is there a fee for licensing?
Child Care Licensing fees were implemented on October 1, 2003. Fee information can be found in Minnesota Statute 245A.10. Fee changes have occurred effective 1/08.  Licensing fees may not exceed $200.00 initially and at re-licensure.

Are there any other fees?
If your home was built prior to July 16, 1990 and meets the requirements for a fire marshal inspection, there is a fee for that inspection. According to law, it may not exceed $50 per inspection. Fire marshal inspections in Isanti County are completed by the State Fire Marshal Office. Arrangements for this service should be discussed with the licensor.

How do I get a license?
Applications for licenses are distributed at a required orientation training. At the orientation training session, child care licensing staff will cover licensing rules and child care practice.

After the county receives a completed application, a background study is completed of the applicant and family members. The background study includes checking records with local police, social services and a criminal check with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

When all application information has been received, and the background study is successfully completed a home licensing inspection is scheduled. Once the inspection is completed, and all other requirements are met, licensing staff recommends that the Minnesota Department of Human Services issue a license.

Will child care licensing staff continue to help me once I am licensed?
Licensing staff assists providers in many ways, including:

·  Licensing staff is available to supply state and local licensing and best practice 
    information, as well as to answer questions

·  Providing health and safety information

·  Referral to resources

What else do I need to know?
Licensed family child care providers can expect unscheduled visits from Isanti County as part of their license requirements. Some providers are surprised that licensing visits are not always scheduled ahead of time. The county recognizes that providers may feel inconvenienced and even annoyed. Visiting staff understands these concerns and does not expect activities with children to stop because of the visit. Staff recognizes that caring for children is the provider's primary responsibility. The purpose of the visit is to monitor the success of licensed family child care.

How long does the licensing process take?
After the application is received with the fee payment, background studies are process and take anywhere from three weeks to three months depending on where the person has lived in the last five years. An individual can be licensed as quickly as within one month of licensing receiving the application and it can take as long as three months. There are many factors that affect the licensing process timelines.

How many children can I care for at one time?
Most providers start out with the ability to care for 10 total children at one time. Of those 10 children, there can be a maximum of six children under school age. Of those six children, there can be a combination of three infants and toddlers with no more than two infants at one time.

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HELPFUL LINKS

STATE OFFICES

Mandated Reporter Brochure

Minnesota Department of Health
Protecting, Improving and maintaining the health of all Minnesotans.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Child Care information can be found at this website for parents and child care providers.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety
To locate State Fire Marshal information for family child care.

STATUTES & RULES

Family Child Care Rule (Rule 2)
For information specific to child care licensing in a family setting. 

Human Services Licensing Act
To look up the MN Statute 245A for child care licensing.  Enter Statute number 245A to retrieve that chapter.

Minnesota Statutes, Laws and Rules

TRAINING

Training: Where to find it

Isanti County Public Health Educator

CPR and First Aid Resources

Minnesota State Registry for Education and Meaningful Supports
Information on available trainings statewide.

Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Resources and grants for child care providers. On-line child care database contains over 10,000 providers statewide.

Eager to Learn
An online training site available for licensed family child care providers.

East Central Library
Local public library

MN Licensed Family Child Care Association
A professional family child care organization of licensed family child care providers serving children and family child care providers.

Redleaf Institute
The national center for the business of family child care.

SAFETY

Minnesota Parents Know

National Institute for Child Health & Development
Safe sleep for babies.

National Program For Playground Safety

Office of Safety Traffic
Information regarding safety in a motor vehicle and car seat restraints.

Poison Control
Keep informed of Poison Prevention Updates and Events.

Safe Kids USA

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Provides information on product safety and recalls.

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NEWSLETTERS 

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PROGRAMS FOR PRESCHOOL TRAINING

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