Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 13 - AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES › Sub-Agency 171 - DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIVISION › Chapter 004 - LICENSING REGULATIONS FOR CENTER BASED CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS › Section 13 171 004 - LICENSING REGULATIONS FOR CENTER BASED CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Current through June, 2024
FOREWORD
Child Care Licensing Regulations govern child care facilities
				  and programs in the State of Vermont. These rules are minimum requirements
				  established to protect the health and safety of Vermont's children in
				  out-of-home care and ensure that children in care, early education and
				  afterschool programs in Vermont are provided with wholesome growth and
				  educational experiences.
From September 2018 to April 2019, the Child Development
				  Division worked with a Public School Prekindergarten Program Work Group to
				  revise these regulations with the goal of reducing duplication. The work group
				  consisted of Public School Prekindergarten Program representatives and
				  stakeholders (e.g. Head Start representatives, Agency of Education
				  representatives, and Let's Grow Kids representatives). The group reviewed
				  approximately 59 Center Based Child Care and Preschool Program regulations.
				  While the work group recommended many regulations remain the same after
				  learning that the regulations were not duplicative, the work group recommended
				  24 regulations be revised. Revisions have been applied within the various
				  sections of the regulations when application across environments applied.
				  Section 8.2 had 9 regulations added due to being specifically relevant to
				  Public School Prekindergarten Programs.
Revisions to the rules reflect an understanding of current
				  scientific evidence related to how children learn and develop. The rules also
				  reflect industry standards and realities in implementing child care and early
				  education program practices that impact the health, safety and well-being of
				  children. The rules incorporate changes in the organization of Vermont state
				  agencies responsible for licensing and monitoring; changes in applicable state
				  and federal legislation and regulations from other related governing entities;
				  the use of information technology in government and program administration; and
				  the evolving system of early childhood and afterschool services in
				  Vermont.
It is the intent of the Department for Children and Families,
				  Child Development Division in the Vermont Agency of Human Services that
				  licensing requirements are clear, reasonable, fair, and enforceable and keep
				  children and their families at the center of our concern. In the interests of
				  serving the public, comments on the rules are welcome at any time and will be
				  considered for future revisions or the
MISSION
The mission of the Child Development Division is to improve
				  the well-being of Vermont's children. We do this through partnerships with
				  families, communities, schools, providers, and state and federal agencies that
				  increase access to high-quality, sustainable, child development
				  services.
CBCCPP Section 1 Introduction.
1.1
Legal Authority to
				Regulate Service:
A person shall not operate a child care
				facility without a license unless exempted under 33 V.S.A. §§ 3502.
				The legal authority for these regulations is 33 V.S.A. §§§§
				105.(b) and 3502.
1.2
Purpose:
The purpose of these regulations
				is for the protection and promotion of the health, safety, well-being, positive
				growth, and development of children who receive services in Center Based Child
				Care and Preschool Programs. These regulations reflect the baseline or minimum
				standards for these programs regulated in Vermont. All regulated programs shall
				have the option of exceeding the regulations set by the Department for Children
				and Families.
1.3
Effective Dates:
1.3.1 These rules will go into effect for all
				initial applications for licensure as a Center Based Child Care and Preschool
				Program received on or after September 1, 2020.
1.3.2 These rules will go into effect for all
				Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs with a current license on
				September 1, 2020.
1.3.3 All
				licensees who hold a current license to operate a Center Based Child Care and
				Preschool Program on September 1, 2020 shall read these finalized rules and
				ensure full understanding of these rules prior to December 1, 2020.