This document discusses various regulations, standards, and legal structures that govern early childhood programs. It describes different types of regulations including zoning, building codes, fire and sanitation rules. Child care licensing regulations establish minimum health and safety standards for staffing, facilities, activities, discipline, nutrition and family involvement. Programs can also choose to pursue voluntary accreditation. Quality rating systems aim to bridge licensing standards and accreditation. The document outlines legal structures like proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and corporations. It notes fiscal and tax regulations as well as civil rights and labor laws that protect staff and programs.

1. Chapter 3:
Understanding Regulations,
Accreditation Criteria, and
Other Standards of Practice
Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs
Tenth Edition
Nancy Freeman
Celia A. Decker
John R. Decker
Prepared by:
Nancy K. Freeman
Tere Holmes
Kris Curtis

2. 3-2
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Definitions
•Regulation: A binding rule created outside
the program.
•Standard: A statement of expectations for
program characteristics and performance.

3. 3-3
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Types of Regulations
• Zoning regulations govern land use.
• Building codes address issues such as wiring,
plumbing, building materials.
• Fire and sanitation regulations set health and
safety standards.
• Child care licensing regulations establish minimal
levels of health & safety

4. 3-4
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
States’ child care center
licensing codes typically address:
• The process of obtaining a license
• The program’s organization and administration
• Staffing patterns including required adult:child
ratios and group size

5. 3-5
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
States’ child care center licensing
codes typically address: (continued)
• Minimal standards for facilities, supplies, &
equipment and provisions for transporting children
• Procedures to safeguard children’s health and
safety
• Types of activities that are to be part of children’s
daily routines including required activity centers

6. 3-6
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
States’ child care center licensing codes
typically address: (continued)
• Allowable forms of discipline
• How programs are to communicate with and involve
families
• Nutritional content of meals & snacks, time intervals
between meals & snacks, and regulations about
posting menus.

7. 3-7
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Regulations for child care homes
• Compliance is usually voluntary
• Regulations are typically very similar to those for
centers
• Home-based programs are often registered instead
of licensed
○ Registration addresses health & safety and requires
criminal background checks

8. 3-8
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Administrators’ Qualifications
Licensure is most likely to require:
• Child Development Associate (CDA)
– the most frequently required specialized training
• Director’s credential from a community or technical
college - required by just 4 states

9. 3-9
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Accreditation
• A voluntary system of program evaluation
• Requires higher-than-minimal quality
• Requires substantial (not full) compliance
• Nationally developed, validated, and enforced
• NAEYC Program Accreditation is considered the “gold
standard”

10. 3-
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Quality Rating Improvement Systems
(QRIS)/ Quality Rating Systems (QRS)
• All states have QRIS/QRS in place or in development
(most are voluntary)
• Designed to help parents become more informed
consumers
• Designed to bridge the gap between minimal
standards (licensing) and accreditation

11. 3-
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Legal existence of private programs
Proprietorship
• Owned by one person
• Owner faces personal liability for all activities
• No separate entity, tax owed by owners
Partnership
• 2 or more owners
• Can own property as a separate legal entity
• Owners face personal liability for business wrongs
• No separate entity, tax owed by owners

12. 3-
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Types of private ownership (cont.)
Limited liability company (LLC)
• A separate legal entity
• Established by filing with the state
• Can be taxed like a partnership or corporation –
owner’s choice
• Limited personal liability for wrongdoings of employees
Corporation
• State law governs incorporation and operations
• A separate legal entity
• Operated by a board of directors
• Can be Subchapter “S” or “C”; “S” corporations have limited
corporate taxes

13. 3-
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Fiscal regulations
•Violations can result in civil and/or criminal
penalties. To avoid penalties:
–Honor all contracts
–Follow IRS regulations
○ Obtain Federal Employer Identification Number
(FEIN)
○ File required tax returns
○ Withhold appropriate taxes from employees

14. 3-
Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e
© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Laws that protect the staff
and the program
• Civil Rights Act (1964) & Equal Opportunity Act (1972)
• American with Disabilities Act P.L. 101-336 (1990)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (1993)
It is important to stay abreast of current developments.