(a) Grantees
must meet the requirements of 45 CFR 1304.52(g), Classroom staffing and home
visitors, in addition to the requirements of this Section.
(b) Grantees
must provide adequate supervision of their staff.
(c) Grantees
operating center-based program options must employ two paid staff persons (a
teacher and a teacher aide or two teachers) for each class. Whenever possible,
there should be a third person in the classroom who is a
volunteer.
(d) Grantees
operating home-based program options must employ home visitors responsible for
home visits and group socialization activities.
(e) Grantees
operating a combination program option must employ, for their classroom
operations, two paid staff persons, a teacher and a teacher aide or two
teachers, for each class. Whenever possible, there should be a third person in
the classroom who is a volunteer. They must employ staff for home visits who
meet the qualifications the grantee requires for home visitors.
(f) Classroom staff and home visitors must be able to
communicate with the families they serve either directly or through a
translator. They should also be familiar with the ethnic background of these
families.
(g) Grantee and delegate agencies offering the family child care program
option must ensure that in each family child care home where Head Start
children are enrolled, the group size does not exceed the limits specified in
this paragraph. Whenever present, not at school or with another care provider,
the family child care provider's own children under the age of six years must
be included in the count. (1) When there is one family child care provider,
the maximum group size is six children and no more than two of the six may be
under two years of age. When there is a provider and an assistant, the maximum
group size is twelve children with no more than four of the twelve children
under two years of age. (2) One family child care provider may care for up to
four infants and toddlers, with no more than two of the four children under
the age of 18 months. (3) Additional assistance or smaller group size may be
necessary when serving children with special needs who require additional
care.
(h)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies offering the family child care program
option must provide support for family child care providers through a child
development specialist or other Head Start or delegate agency staff member
with responsibilities related to the provision of comprehensive Head Start and
Early Head Start services. (2) The grantee or delegate agency will assign
responsibilities to the child development specialist and other agency staff to
support and ensure the provision of quality Head Start services at each family
child care home. These responsibilities must include both regular announced
and unannounced visits to each home. The duration and timing of such visits
will be planned in accordance with the needs of each home but shall occur not
less than once every two weeks. (3) During visits to family child care homes
the child development specialist will periodically verify compliance with
either contract requirements or agency policy depending on the nature of the
relationship; facilitate ongoing communication between grantee or delegate
agency staff, family child care providers, and Head Start and Early Head Start
families; provide recommendations for technical assistance; and support the
family child care provider in developing collegial or mentoring relationships
with other child care professionals.
(i) Head Start, Early Head Start and delegate agencies must ensure that
children in the Head Start family child care option receive comprehensive
services as specified in 45 CFR Parts 1304 and 1308.
[57 FR 58092, Dec. 8, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 57226, Nov. 5, 1996]