This memo, and the attached document, will be of particular interest to school districts that operate preschool and/or before-and-after school-age child care. These services are required to be licensed by the Department of Human Services to insure the basic health, safety, and welfare of children in care.
A committee was developed to review the licensing process, and identify and address any duplication of effort between the Department of Human Services and the school districts and/or the Department of Education. The committee, which was composed of individuals from several school districts, education service cooperatives, and the Division of Child Care, developed the attached document and agreement to address these issues.
The document, "Supplement to the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers Operated by the Public Schools", lists in bold italic type those licensing requirements which will be reviewed and maintained by the Department of Education, the school district or the education service cooperative. All other requirements will remain the responsibility of the Child Care Licensing Section to review for compliance. The final page of the document is a compliance checklist to be completed by the superintendent, principal and/or the educational service cooperative director. Completion of this checklist, and signature by these parties, will initiate the agreement and the Child Care Licensing Section will not verify compliance of the listed items. Participation in this agreement is voluntary and any district/education service cooperative that elects to sign the agreement accepts the responsibility of ensuring that these specific licensing requirements are fully met and maintained.
If the district/education service cooperative elects to sign the agreement, a signed copy must be forwarded to the Child Care Licensing Specialist assigned to the campus, and a copy maintained on the campus. If the district/education service cooperative decides not to sign the agreement, the Child Care Licensing Section will continue to fully monitor the program for compliance.
Regardless of the participation in the agreement, the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will continue to ensure a positive relationship with all district/cooperatives who provide preschool and/or before-and-after school-age child care services, and will be available for the provision of consultation and/or technical assistance services. The agreement will be renewed annually at the time of licensure re-certification. Any questions regarding the agreement or the need for clarification may be addressed to the locally assigned Child Care Licensing Specialist or contact state-level supervisors, David Griffin or Ratha Turpin at 501-682-8590 or e-mail to: David.griffin@mail.state.ar.us.
Note: Attachments to this memo will be sent in the next bulk mailing.