Child Care Rulemaking Projects

The Division of Early Care and Education posts notices and documents related to rulemaking projects. Information regarding rulemaking projects can be found by clicking on the program area below.

Compliance with Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Requirements

The following documents are for your review; please read through them carefully: 

• Statement of Scope
   

Biennial Budget Regulation Changes

The below changes are related to the 2025-27 Early Care and Education Biennial Budget Implementation. 

The following documents are for your review; please read through them carefully: 

• Statement of Scope
   

Assistant Child Care Teachers

Sixteen-year-olds may serve as assistant teachers under the supervision of child care teachers in group child care programs. This change to statute is currently in effect and we will update DCF 251 in the future to reflect the changes.

There are several related items that will still need to be implemented which we will share information as we have it.

Please note: How the biennial budget change to assistant teacher requirements applies to certified child care programs and day camps is still under review.

Assistant Child Care Teachers FAQs

What are the requirements for 16-year-olds to work as assistant child care teachers? 

They must complete at least one of the following within six (6) months after assuming the position:
a. Two credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
b. One non-credit, department-approved course in early childhood education.
c. An assistant child care teacher training program approved by the department of public instruction.

Can 16-year-olds work in all regulated child care programs? 

A 16-year-old may serve as an assistant child care teacher under the supervision of child care teachers in group child care programs. They may also serve as a program aide in licensed family child care and group child care programs, a school-age program aide in a group child care program. 

16-year-olds may not serve as assistant child care teachers in licensed or certified family child care programs or day camps. 

Can 16-year-olds provide sole supervision of children?

No, in order to provide sole supervision in limited situations, assistant teachers must be 18 years old and have completed their educational requirements.

Can 16-year-olds work as group leaders in a school-age program? 

No, the statute change only allows 16-year-olds to work as an assistant child care teacher. While the roles are similar between assistant teachers and school-age group leaders, they are not the same and the qualifications are different.

What other roles can 16- year-olds have in regulated child care programs? 

A 16-year-old may also serve as a program aide in licensed family child care and group child care programs, a school-age program aide in a group child care program, and an assistant child care teacher in a school-age program under the supervision of a staff member with child care teacher qualifications.

Large Family Child Care

Family child care providers with sufficient staff and space will be able to serve up to 12 children. 

Large Family Child Care FAQs

When can I increase my licensed capacity to care for up to 12 children?

DCF is not ready to implement changes to family child care licensed capacity at this time, and needs to consider other related rules. Providers must still operate within their current licensed capacity until new guidelines are developed. More information will be forthcoming.

Can I care for 12 children on my own or will I always need two providers?

DCF is still in the process of developing ratio charts for large family child care. In most situations, a family child care program will need two providers to care for 12 children at one time.