State Development Updates: April 19, 2002

ACCREDITATION

Virginia. House bill 1208 amends current child care center licensing regulations that state that the regulations shall not require the adoption of a specific teaching approach or doctrine. The amendment adds that the regulations shall not require the membership, affiliation or accreditation services of any single private accreditation or certification agency. Status: enacted

APPROVED CREDENTIAL

Virginia. Senate bill 596 amends the law relating to licensed child care centers and staff qualifications by stating that program "leaders and child-care supervisors" (people with responsibility for direct supervision of children and activities and services for a group of children) may possess an approved credential. An "approved credential" means a competency-based credential awarded to individuals working with children from birth through age 5 in a teaching, supervisory or administrative capacity. It meets the definition of approved credential if awarded by NAEYC; National Academy of Early Childhood Programs; Association of Christian Schools international; National Early Childhood Program Accreditation; American Association of Christian Schools; National Accreditation Council for Early Childhood Professional Personnel and Programs; International Academy for Private Education; Standards for American Montessori Society Accreditation; the International Accreditation and Certification of Childhood Educators, Programs and Trainings, the National Accreditation Commission, or the Virginia Community College System or other institution or higher education as determined by the department. Status: enrolled

LICENSING: PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Florida. Senate bill 1550 amends requires for large family child care providers. Operators of such programs have been required to take an approved 40-hour introducing course in group child care. If signed, they must complete such coursework and provide evidence that they passed a competency exam. The coursework will articulate into community college credit in early childhood education. The bill also amends other personnel issues in the state's licensing standards. Child care staff that have a two-year degree or higher that includes 6 college credit hours in early childhood development, or a CDA or an equivalent state-approved credential or waiver certificate will automatically be exempt from training requirements related to health, safety, nutrition, child development, and observational assessment. Family child care programs that are not required to be licensed but are registered must now show proof that they successfully passed the required 30-hour training course. Status: enrolled

PARENT INFORMATION

Nebraska. Bill 326 (Nebraska is a unicameral legislature) establishes the Nebraska Read, Education, and Develop Youth Act. The state department of education, in collaboration with the department of health and human services, will develop a packet to be called "Learning Begins at Birth." The packet will be distributed to parents of children born after January 1, 2003. The packet will include information on child development, child care, child health, and services available to families. The packet will indicate information that is appropriate for infants, for toddlers, and preschool children. Although the state will not endorse any private company or product, the state will solicit private financial assistance for this project and will place the names of companies on materials. Private contributions will be placed in the READY Cash Fund. Status: enacted