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Let's overwhelm them!!!
Hello everyone. The proposed Minimum Standards revisions to TAC Chapter 746 will be published on June 11 with a 30-day comment period to follow.
We previously indicated that the public hearing on April 20th was our last chance to affect the outcome on the ratios issue. However, Commissioner Sasha Rasco confirmed that the version to be printed for comment does include the proposed lowered ratios/group sizes that were unanimously opposed at the April 20th public hearing in Austin.
PLEASE PERSIST WITH DETERMINATION
AND ENTHUSIASM UNTIL THE BATTLE IS WON!
The new TAC Chapter 744 (New rules for Before and After School Programs) will be published first on May 21st with a 30-day comment period to follow. REMEMBER THAT THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES REDUCED RATIOS FOR OUR SCHOOLER - AGES 5-13.
 Your TO DO LIST:
The proposed new rules can be read or
downloaded and printed at:
or call 1-800-862-5252 to request a printed copy.
___Take the time to consider how each of these proposed changes will truly impact your program, private school, child care center and/or business. Then follow this TO DO LIST to voice your opinion on those changes you oppose.
___Call the Governor's office today and ask for the staff person responsible for liaison with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; ask the Governor to intervene and ask the Council to leave ratios/group sizes as they are currently. (Governor's main line is 512-463-2000. Ask for Diana Sosa.)
___We must overwhelm the Child Care Licensing public comment site with our comments if we hope to get them to retain the current ratios/group sizes. The address to email comments on the proposed new standards is: MSC@dfps.state.tx.us Commissioner Rasco reassured us that they will give great attention to the comments they receive. Link to web feedback is: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Information_for_Providers/ccl_comments_form.asp
__Share this information with your vendors! These changes will negatively impact their businesses just as they will ours. Ask your dance, tumbling and karate instructors to oppose the ratio changes and tell them how to voice their opinions using this checklist. Your food and paper product suppliers need to be aware of the "trickle down effect" as well. Get everyone on board.
___REMEMBER THAT WE MUST BE HEARD IF WE WANT TO AVOID THIS UNWISE NEW REGULATION!!! ACT NOW.
We hope and believe that this is just one more test
to see if we (Child Care Operators)
will make our voices heard and opinions known.
They are in for a surprise if they underestimate us!
It is also important to note that there are many other proposed changes in addition to the ratios/group sizes. Again, we ask that you take the time to consider how each of these proposed changes will truly impact your program, private school, child care center and/or business.
Listed below is a brief outline of proposed changes in Minimum Standards. Please refer to TDFPS web site (above) for more detailed information.
Proposed child staff ratios and group sizes:
(Ages, ratios, and maximum group sizes)
0-11 months 1:4 8
12-17 months 1:5 10
18-35 months 1:9 18
3 year olds 1:14 28
4 year olds 1:18 35
5 year olds 1:20 35
6-13 year olds 1:22 35
- Must notify licensing if your program will be closed 5 or more consecutive days.
- Severe weather drills must be done every 3 months
- Cellar phones used in a program for operation must have direct dialing to 911
- Must have a comfortable adult size chair for mothers to breastfeed
- Must have copy of photo identification of all staff
- Electronic tracking acceptable for sign in and out for children
- Directors would be required to be present in the center 75% or 30 of the operating hours
- Director may not be director of more than one center
- Working as a certified Pre-K teacher counted as experience
- Caregivers must be free from duties while supervising children such as using electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and video games
- The annual training topics expanded with 3 new topics
- Will allow web-based and video training
- Outdoor play defined as every day, morning and afternoon
- Toddler training cups labeled with child's first and last name
- Water must be served with all snacks, meals, and after active play time
- Would reduce the length of time an object must be soaked in disinfectant solution from 10 minutes to 2 minutes
- Clarifies what commercial products qualifies as a disinfectant solution
- Clarifies that while changing a diaper, child must be strapped onto the diaper changing table or the caregiver must keep one hand on the child at all times
- Prefers non-glass thermometers
- Programs may share indoor and outdoor space with another program as long as a plan is submitted to licensing (excluding classroom space)
- Increases fall zone material from 6 to 9 inches
- Slides with more than a 360 degree turn not permitted
- Under general responsibilities of caregiver, caregivers required to ensure that children are not abused, neglected, or exploited while in care
- Guidelines for volunteers to include anyone who is contracted with the center
- TV time not permitted for children under the age of 2; children over 2 permitted if the program is related to the planned activities, is on the activity plan, and age appropriate
- Toddler daily reports not required, however the program would be required to have a written plan on how they will communicate information to parents
- Beverages with added sugar not permitted
- Programs located inside an ISD would not have to follow playground equipment guidelines, however parents must be notified that the program will not be following licensing's guidelines
We have opted to devote this month's newsletter to these critical issues currently facing our industry. We urge you to actively participate in your own future.
Friday, May 14 & Sat. May 15 940-383-4100
Holiday Inn 1434 Centre Place Dr.
DENTON, TX 76205
Friday, May 21 & Sat. May 22 903-597-1301
Quality Hotel 2843 WNW Loop 323
TYLER, TX 75702
Visit www.thechildcareconsultinggroup.com to download
the registration form under the CONFERENCE tab,
or call 972-979-0282 for more information
on these exciting training sessions.
North Central Texas Child Care Center $1,100,000.00
This gorgeous 8000+ square foot child care center is situated on over an acre of land and located in Dallas County, Texas.
See you next month with more new and exciting ideas and information!
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ather's day will be here soon! Start preparing now and download the music to "Just the Two of Us" by Bill Withers and teach the kids to sing a portion of it to their dads! 
