Glossary

capacity – the maximum number of individuals that may be cared for by the child care as determined by Office of Child Care Licensing

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) – a federal program that reimburses child care providers for serving meals that follow the guidelines from the U. S. Department of Agriculture

Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) – the federal grant that supplies child care subsidies for low-income working families and funds to improve child care quality.

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) – the primary source of United States federal funding for child care subsidies for low-income working families and funds to improve child care quality

Child Care Aware of America – a national, membership-based, nonprofit organization working to advance affordability, accessibility, development and learning of children in child care

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) – local agencies that assist parents in their search of child care and resources relating to children

childcare.gov – a website that provides links to State or Territory child care websites that parents use to search for child care and consumer education information

complaint – a documented concern expressed by an individual that a practice or feature within a child care facility is unsatisfactory

compliance – the act of carrying out or meeting a recommendation, policy, regulation, or procedure

corrective action plan – a plan that describes a path to correct a noncompliance with a federal, state or local regulation, usually accompanied with a timeline for doing so

death in child care – Statistically speaking, a death in child care is defined as: when a child dies while attending a child care program regardless of whether the provider is found to be at fault; or if a child dies after leaving child care due to an injury/incident that occurred while in care.

enforcement action – an administrative action or group of actions taken to promote compliance, such as warning of probation, probation, suspension, revocation, or denial of a license application

exempt provider – A child care that runs for less than 24 hours per day and does not need a license. These programs should apply for an exemption letter from the CNMI CCLP (Child Care Licensing Program). For a list of the types of child care providers that do not need a license or more information see CNMI CCLP’s website.

Individual education plan (IEP) – a document written at least yearly about the required services and education program, usually for a child three years of age or older with an identified disability

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) – a document written at least yearly about the required services for an infant or toddler (ages 0-two years) with an identified disability

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – a federal law that makes available a free appropriate public education to all eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children

license – basic permit to operate a facility

Licensed Early Care & Education and School-Age Centers (Center) – Child Care Centers are in a business location and serve 13 or more children. This type of care includes child care centers, preschools, and before/after school care. Centers are licensed for a total number of children. Staff to child ratios and maximum group size must be maintained based on the youngest child present in the group. Ages served, philosophy, curriculum, costs, and services can vary from one center to another.

Licensed exempt provider – a child care provider that is not required to be licensed in Delaware

Licensed Family Child Care (FCC) – Family child care takes place in a licensed home. Up to 9 children can be cared for at one time. The number of children allowed depends on: 1) the ages of the children present at any given time; 2) the provider’s level (Level I or Level II) is determined by their training and experience. The number of children in care can vary from 1 to 6 infants through preschool-aged children and 1 to 3 school aged children.

Licensed Large Family Child Care (LFCC) – A large family child care is offered in a licensed home or business location. The number of children allowed depends on the ages of the children present at any given time. It can vary from 7 to 12 infants through preschool-aged children and 1 to 3 school aged children. Depending on the number of children and their ages there needs to be one to three staff members.

licensee – an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, public agency or other government entity having the authority and responsibility for the operation of a child care

Maximum Group Size – the largest number of children allowed in a classroom in licensed child care centers

monitoring – a systematic review of compliance with standards or regulations including an observation of the program’s facility and practices

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – a nonprofit association in the United States representing early childhood education teachers, para-educators, center directors, trainers, college educators, families of young children, policy makers, and advocates. NAEYC is focused on improving the well-being of young children, with particular emphasis on the quality of educational and developmental services for children from birth through age 8.

probation – a written notice of enforcement action, which directs the licensee to correct all non-compliances and maintain compliance or face revocation or denial of the license application

Professional Development (PD) – courses taken by child care workers to advance their knowledge in the field

Purchase of Care (POC) – Purchase of Care (POC) is a program that supports families with children by helping with the cost of child care

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs

relative care – a purchase of care child care option available only to parents who work non-traditional and weekend hours

section 504 plan – a document describing accommodations provided to a child with a disability to ensure full participation at school and child care

serious injury – an injury that needs medical care by a doctor or dentist beyond first aid

Staff to Child Ratio – number of staff required to care for a group of children determined by the type of care and ages of the children

substantiated complaint – a complaint that is investigated by the Office of Child Care Licensing and proven true

sustantiated child abuse – the results of an investigation with the findings that confirm physical, mental, or emotional maltreatment of a child; sexual molestation of a child; or depriving a child of necessary care, which has either caused serious harm or created a substantial risk of serious harm.

unsubstantiated complaint – a complaint that is investigated by the Office of Child Care Licensing and there is not enough evidence to prove the alleged violation occurred

warning of probation – a written notice of enforcement action, intended to alert the facility that it has committed or accumulated sufficient serious violations of these regulations which, if not promptly corrected, could lead to a recommendation to place the facility on probation or other enforcement action