SECTION 340:110-3-97.1. Requirements for large family child care homes

(a)   Large family child care home. A large family child care home is a residential family home providing care and supervision for eight to 12 children for part of the 24 hour day.

(b)   Requirements. Large family child care homes meet required rules, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-3-81 through 340:110-3-97, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

(c)   Mobile homes. Prior to caring for children, large family child care homes operated in a mobile home are required to obtain an approved state or local fire inspection.

(d)   Capacity. Large family child care homes are required to meet the rules found in OAC 340:110-3-84(a), and the total number of children in care in a large family child care home is limited to 12.

(e)   Supervision of outdoor play. Large family child care homes meet the rules in OAC 340:110-3-85(a)(3) pertaining to outdoor play supervision, except when two or more personnel are needed to meet the required adult-child ratio. At least one personnel is present with children outdoors at all times.

(f)   Required number of caregivers. Large family child care homes are exempt from the requirements regarding the number of caregivers, per OAC 340:110-3-84(b) and (c). The number of caregivers required in a large family child care home is described in this subsection.

(1)   One caregiver. One caregiver may care for up to:

(A)   five children of any age;

(B)   six children, with no more than three children younger than 2 years of age;

(C)   seven children, with no more than two children younger than 2 years of age;

(D)   seven children, when the children are 2 years of age and older;

(E)   eight children, when the children are 3 years of age and older;

(F)   10 children, when the children are 4 years of age and older; or

(G)   12 children, when the children are 5 years of age and older.

(2)   Two caregivers. Two caregivers may care for up to:

(A)   eight children younger than 2 years of age; or

(B)   12 children, with no more than six children younger than 2 years of age.

(3)   Three caregivers. Three caregivers may care for up to 12 children, with no more than eight children younger than 2 years of age.

(g)   Caregiver qualifications. Primary, assistant, and substitute caregivers at large family child care homes are required to meet qualifications, per OAC 340:110-3-85(a) and (b), except as otherwise described in this subsection.

(1)   Primary caregiver. The primary caregiver or individuals substituting for the primary caregiver are at least 21 years of age. For individuals applying after October 1, 2007, the primary caregiver:

(A)   has six months of satisfactory experience as the primary caregiver in a licensed family child care home in Oklahoma; and

(B)   meets one of the requirements in (i) through (v):

(i)   a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential and 12 college credit hours in child development or early childhood education;

(ii)   an Oklahoma Competency Certificate;

(iii)   a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential;

(iv)   a current Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential; or

(v)   an associate's or bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education.

(2)   Assistant caregiver. The assistant caregiver or individuals substituting for the assistant caregiver are at least 16 years of age and have current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification documentation, per OAC 340:110-3-85(h). Children are not left alone in the care of any individual younger than 21 years of age.

(3)   Substitute caregiver. Individuals substituting for the primary caregiver are at least 21 years of age and have current CPR and first aid certification documentation, per OAC 340:110-3-85(h).

(h)   Professional development requirements. The primary caregiver and assistant caregiver at large family child care homes are required to meet the professional development requirements, per OAC 340:110-3-85(h), except as otherwise described in this subsection.

(1)   The primary caregiver is required to complete 15 clock-hours of professional development annually.

(2)   The assistant caregiver is required to complete 12 clock-hours of professional development annually.

(3)   Only six hours of videos or individual position-related readings is counted toward the annual required professional development hours for the primary caregiver and assistant caregiver.

(4)   Within two years prior to request for license, the primary caregiver has completed and documented all health and safety training specified in OAC 340:110-3-85(h)(3).

(i)   Outdoor play space. The requirements regarding outdoor play space, per OAC 340:110-3-86(a)(12) are met. The outdoor play space is enclosed by a building or a fence beginning at ground level, at least four feet high, and in good repair. Fencing exceptions are not granted by Licensing.

[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 1607, eff 5-25-00; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 22, eff 10-1-07 (emergency); Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1962, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 154, eff 11-1-13 (emergency); Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1854, eff 9-15-14; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 200, eff 11-22-16 (emergency); Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1652, eff 9-15-17; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1858, eff 11-1-20]