Section 1596.955 Of Article 2. Licensure Requirements From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 3.5. >> Article 2.
1596.955
. (a) The department shall develop guidelines and
procedures to permit licensed child day care centers serving
preschool age children to create a special program component for
children between 18 months to three years of age. This optional
toddler program shall be subject to the following basic conditions:
(1) An amended application is submitted to and approved by the
department.
(2) Parents give permission for the placement of their children in
the toddler program.
(3) A ratio of six children to each teacher is maintained for all
children in attendance at the toddler program. An aide who is
participating in on-the-job training may be substituted for a teacher
when directly supervised by a fully qualified teacher.
(4) The maximum group size, with two teachers, or one fully
qualified teacher and one aide, does not exceed 12 toddlers.
(5) The toddler program is conducted in areas separate from those
used by older or younger children. Plans to alternate use of outdoor
play space may be approved to achieve separation.
(6) All other preschool regulations are complied with.
(b) The toddler program shall be considered an extension of the
preschool license, without the need for a separate license.
(c) The department shall immediately prepare proposed regulations
for public hearing which would consider the foregoing basic
conditions as well as any additional health and safety safeguards
deemed necessary for this age group.
(d) The guidelines in subdivision (a) shall remain in force and
effect only until regulations implementing this section are adopted
by the department.
(e) Commencing January 1, 2016, a day care center with a toddler
program described in this section shall extend the toddler program to
serve children between 18 months and three years of age. It is the
intent of the Legislature to provide continuity of care to California'
s children and parents in the implementation of this subdivision.