Library: Policy

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

Revised 6-1-22

(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, per 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;

(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 of mixed ages, with no more than eight children younger than 2 years of age. When only children younger than 2 years of age are in care, three caregivers may care for up to 12 children.

(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 (1) through (3) of 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 has:

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

(B) a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential; and

(C) a current Level 4 or higher Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate, per OAC 340 Appendix FF – Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder.

(2) Assistant caregiver. The assistant caregiver or individuals substituting for the assistant caregiver meet requirements in (A) through (C) of this subparagraph.

(A) Caregivers are at least 16 years of age. Children are not left alone in the care of any individual younger than 21 years of age.

(B) Caregivers have current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification documentation, per OAC 340:110-3-85(h).

(i) employed before June 1, 2022, obtain a current Level 1 or higher OPDL certificate, per OAC 340 Appendix FF – Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder, by June 1, 2023; or

(ii) employed on or after June 1, 2022, obtain and maintain a current Level 1 or higher OPDL certificate, per OAC 340 Appendix FF – Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder, prior to or within 12 months of employment.

(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 (1) and (2) of this subsection.

(1) The primary caregiver:

(A) completes and documents all health and safety training, per OAC 340:110-3-85(h)(3), within two years prior to request for license;

(B) registers the program as a direct care organization and maintains information on the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR); and

(2) The assistant caregiver meets professional development requirements in (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

(A) The assistant caregiver completes 12-clock hours of professional development annually.

(B) Effective June 1, 2023, ongoing professional development in (i) through (iv) of this subparagraph is required.

(i) Assistant caregivers obtain at least the required number of professional development clock-hours to maintain a current Level 1 or higher OPDL certificate, per OAC 340 Appendix FF - Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder. However, informal professional development clock-hours are limited.

(ii) Formal professional development is:

(I) a course or training event of two or more clock-hours from an OPDR-approved training organization; and

(II) OPDR-approved college credit hours.

(iii) Informal professional development is:

(I) a course or training event of less than two clock-hours from an OPDR-approved training organization;

(II) any number of clock-hours from an OPDR non-approved training organization; and

(III) any training from electronic media, such as videos or DVDs.

(iv) Reading and television programs do not count toward required clock-hours.

(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.