POLICY:
To provide center-based options in accordance with the requirements.
PROCEDURES:
The center-based option delivers the full range of services. Education and child development services are delivered primarily in classroom setting.
Ratios and Group Size
Staff/child ratios and group size maximums are determined by the age of the majority of children and the needs of children present.
The program determines the age of the majority of the children in a class at the start of the year and adjusts this determination during the program year if needed.
The Step Up To Quality rating system (SUTQ) requirements are more stringent than the Teacher/Child ratio and group size specifications in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) requirements, the program meets the stricter requirements of 1/10.
The program maintains appropriate ratios during all hours of operation, except:
During nap time, one teaching staff member may be replaced by one staff member.
A class that serves a majority of children who are three years old has no more than 17 children with a teacher and teacher assistant.
A double session class that serves a majority of children who are three years old has no more than 15 children with a teacher and teacher assistant.
A class that serves a majority of children who are four and five years old has no more than 20 children with a teacher and teacher assistant.
A double session class that serves a majority of children who are four and five years old has no more than 17 children with a teacher and teacher assistant.
| Table to §1302.21 Center-based group size | |
| 4 and 5 year olds |
No more than 20 children enrolled in any class. No more than 17 children enrolled in any double session class. |
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3 year olds
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No more than 17 children enrolled in any class. No more than 15 children enrolled in any double session class. |
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Under 3 years old
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No more than 8 or 9 children enrolled in any class, depending on the number of teachers. |
Service Duration
Half Day
The Head Start program is operating all of its half day center-based classrooms four days per week and 128 days per year.
Half day classes operate for a minimum of 3.5 hours per day.
The double session classes operate for a minimum of 3.5 hours per day.
The double session teacher is provided adequate break time during the course of the day.
Teachers and teacher assistants have time to prepare for each session together, to set up the classroom environment, and to give individual attention to children entering and leaving the center.
Full Day
The Head Start program operates full-day full-year center-based classrooms four days per week and 1,020 hours per year.
The Head Start program is considered to meet the requirements of 1,020 hours if the program schedule aligns with the annual hours required by the local education agency and such alignment is necessary to support partnerships for service delivery. (St. Paul Lutheran, Napoleon and Montpelier Exempted Schools).
The program makes every effort to schedule makeup days using existing resources if days of planned class operations fall below 128.
The facilities used by the program are licensed by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) and meet the ODJFS licensing requirements.
The classrooms have at least 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child available for the care and use of children.
There is at least 75 square feet (per HSPPS) of usable outdoor play space per child.
Forms and Additional Guidance:
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This policy complies with the following |
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| Head Start Program Performance Standard: | 1302.21 | |
| ODJFS Child Care Manual: | 51010:2-2-11 | |
| CACFP Regulation: | ||
| Caring for Our Children: | ||
| Other Sources: | ||
| Effective Date: | 8/7/17 | Reviewed Date: | 10/30/20 | ||
| Approved By Policy Council: | 8/7/17 | Revision Approved By Policy Council: |