Environmental Science Healthy Environment State Licensing

WU Environmental Science Healthy Environment State Licensing Questions

CHILDCARE FACILITIES

Working parents need the safe and healthy environment extended to childcare facilities. Some parents choose to have a family member or care provider come into their homes. Others rely on childcare centers or home day care centers. Parents want their children to be safe, but they also want an appealing physical and social environment for their children. An adequate space that allows your child to run freely and be safe is an appealing physical environment, but you also want caring adults to facilitate the development of your child’s social, emotional, and cognitive characteristics.

When you choose a method of childcare for your child, you should check to see that the center is licensed by a state authority or registered with a state authority. Licensed childcare centers are monitored for safety. Family childcare centers that operate inside homes do not need licensing in many states; but most need to register with the state authority and operate under specific rules and regulations.

Use a search engine to find your state government’s licensing regulations. You may also search for a state childcare association.

Example: If you live in Pennsylvania, you can use a search engine with the keywords: start, license, day, child, care, center, Pennsylvania.

Once you find the appropriate website and information answer the questions on the attached document.

Answer the questions.

• Using information about the provider/student ratios, what are the different combinations of children by age that can be cared for in a home or in a center?
• What qualifications do you need as care providers in a home care setting and in a childcare center setting?
• What type of licensing will you need in a home or in a center?
• What are some specific requirements for the physical site, fire safety, equipment and program in both a home and in a childcare center?
• Do you want to open a childcare center or offer child care in a home setting? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?