Discussions continue around legally providing care within your home in Maine. Within these discussions the resources provided to add to the discussion have not all been timely. Part of the mission of the Family Child Care Association of Maine is to provide timely and accurate information when questions are raised around family child care. In …
Unified Child Care Licensing Rule
Are you aware that the Office of Child and Family Services, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services is actively drafting a Unified Child Care Licensing Rule with the intent of updating and clarifying current regulations and to meet federal requirements of the Child Care Development Block Grant? FCCAM received a notification asking for feedback on a …
Licensing Infractions
As licensed family child care professionals in Maine, we have agreed to follow the Licensing Rule. This post is to inform providers of infractions following the adoption of the 2017 FCC Licensing Rule. We are sharing the list so providers are aware of what is happening within Maine in the over 900 licensed family child …
12 Hours of Training…… Let’s Get to It!
Providers in Maine are very lucky to have a variety of options for earning the required 12 hours of training annually for licensing. For those participating in the state's QRIS -Quality for ME, getting the additional required training hours for each level is also very doable. Attend face-to-face full-day conferences that are offered generally in …
Water Testing and Labs
As of 1/1/2017, the Department of Health and Human Services stopped providing water test kids as part of licensing applications or renewals. With the adoption of Licensing Rule 9/20/2017, providers need to have a first draw test performed as part of licensing (new and renewal). This tests for lead and needs to be done for …
Our Outside Play Yards
There has been a great deal of concern about the impact on the outside play yards of family child care programs with the Licensing Rule that went into effect 9/20/17. Concerns from providers and FCCAM were expressed to Licensing and the Health and Human Services Committee. Testimony was provided on LD 1661. The State at …
Serious Injury and Death Policy
The Family Child Care Licensing Rule requires licensees to have a number of policies written out and clearly shared with guardians. A record that the provider has shared the following information with the child’s parent at the time of admission:a. Child guidance practices;b. Parental visitation at the child care site;c. Expulsion and suspension practices;d. Management …
Choosing the Right Child Care
What families should be looking for when searching for child care is a big question? Choosing care for a child is one of the toughest and most important decisions guardians have to make. Families know that the care they secure will have an impact on their child's development. What they are looking for impacts not …
What Do You Need in Your Contract and Policies?
Contracts and policies are a major part of running a sustainable family child care business, but often licensees are unsure of just what should be included. With the new Family Child Care Provider Licensing Rule, effective 9/20/17, the State has listed required items, but does not limit what you include. As Family Child Care providers …
Continue reading "What Do You Need in Your Contract and Policies?"
Is Your Parent Handbook Up to Date?
Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Licensing and Regulatory Services has been updating their section of the Maine government website. There are now samples for many of the required information forms required to operate a licensed family child care. You are able to develop your own forms, but these are a place to …
