Section 071-228-IV - PROGRAM REQUIREMENTSSchool-based child care services and parenting and child development education offered in accordance with Chapter 767, P.L. 1988, shall meet the following requirements:
A. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Instructional Staff Parenting and child development education courses shall be taught by individuals certified to teach in the areas of Consumer & Home Economics Education, Early Childhood Education or Vocational Child Care.
Note: See 20-A MRSA Chapter 502, Certification of Educational Personnel and DE implementing rules 115 and 115-A.
2. Curriculum a. The curriculum shall provide for a minimum of one semester of theoretical and laboratory instruction in parenting and child development for the student parents of the children in the program.b. The curriculum shall be developmentally based and provide for sequential instruction encompassing the stages of human growth and development physical, intellectual, social and emotional. One example of a satisfactory curriculum may be found in DE Child Care Curriculum Guide which may be obtained from the office of the Vocational Child Care Consultant
c. The program shall provide for supervised teen parent/child interactions in conjunction with the parenting and child development curriculum.d. Continued attendance or successful completion of a parenting and child development education program as described in Section III shall be a requirement for the receipt of child care services by the teen parent.3. Materials and Resources a. Instructional materials and resources shall be accurate in content and up-to-date to reflect current parenting/child development concepts and practices.b. Instructional materials and resources shall be adequate in quantity and quality for the achievement of the prescribed curriculum objectives.4. Child Care Providers a. Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.b. Must be at least 18 years of age.c. Must meet minimum health requirements as promulgated in DHS Chapter 28, Rules for the Licensing of Day Care Homes.d. Must have a minion of three years work experience in licensed day care/nursery school; or
Possess appropriate credentials/license/ certification in pediatrics, early childhood, home economics, or elementary education.
5. Staff/Child Ratio for Child Care Services a. At a minimum, the staff/child ratio identified in DHS Chapter 28, Rules for the Licensing of Day Care Homes shall be adhered to.b. Within the context of this chapter, notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 4 above, the teen parent may be counted as "staff" while providing care for his/her own child.c. Within the context of this chapter, notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 4 above, students, other than teen parents, enrolled in child care and development training programs may be counted as staff while on site at the child care services facility, provided that such students function under the direct supervision of a certified teacher.6. Program Accessiblity: Written Policies a. The program shall be available on a priority basis first to children of students in the school administrative unit and second to children of teachers or other employees in the unit; andb. The school administrative unit shall enforce local school policies relative to admission, retention, dismissal and completion.7. Record Keeping The SAU shall adhere to the minimum requirements for record keeping as outlined in DHS Chapter 28, Rules for the Licensing of Day Care Homes Such records shall be made available for inspection by DE.
B. FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS 1. Facilities a. Facilities shall meet the minimum standards contained in DHS Chapter 28, Rules for the Licensing of Day Care Homes.b. Facilities for child care services shall be on-site or adjacent to the school(s) which the teen parents attends.c. Facilities shall meet all applicable Federal/ State/local requirements for health, sanitation, and safety.2. Equipment Requirements Equipment shall be sufficient to meet the objectives of the training program and shall be maintained in good condition.
05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 228, § IV