WSR 14-13-112 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF EARLY LEARNING [Filed June 18, 2014, 10:16 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 14-05-046.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 170-296A-1725 Licensee minimum education, equivalent education.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Early Learning (DEL), Olympia Office, 1110 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, on July 22, 2014, at 12 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 22, 2014.
Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, DEL, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970, e-mail rules@del.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-0533, by July 22, 2014.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact DEL rules coordinator by July 8, 2014, (360) 407-1962.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: To allow family home child care applicants another means of meeting the requirement to have education equivalent to a high school diploma, i.e., by completing DEL approved early childhood education initial certificate.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Current education requirements for family home child care providers create a barrier to licensure for providers who demonstrate educational achievement by completing an early childhood education initial certificate, yet do not have a high school diploma or GED, twelve years of elementary and secondary education, a child development associate credential, or forty-five credits of post-secondary education. The proposed rules remove that barrier by making completion of the department approved early childhood education initial certificate a form of equivalent education.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 43.215 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: DEL, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Mary Kay Quinlan, Licensing Administrator, DEL State Office, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 407-1953; Implementation and Enforcement: DEL licensing offices, statewide.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rules are not expected to impose new costs on businesses that are required to comply. If the rules result in costs, those costs are not expected to be "more than minor" as defined in chapter 19.85 RCW.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. DEL is not among the agencies listed as required to comply with RCW 34.05.328.
June 18, 2014
Elizabeth M. Hyde
Director
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-21-112, filed 10/22/13, effective 11/22/13)
WAC 170-296A-1725 Licensee minimum education.
(1) For any initial family home child care license issued on or after March 31, 2012, the applicant must have a high school diploma.
(2) If the applicant does not have a high school diploma, he or she must submit written evidence of equivalent education. As used in this section, "equivalent education" means:
(a) Passing the general educational development (GED) tests;
(b) Completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary education;
(c) Possessing a current child development associate (CDA) credential as approved through the council for professional recognition; ((or))
(d) Completion of forty-five credits of post secondary education; or
(e) Completion of the department approved early childhood education initial certificate.
(3) In addition to equivalent education defined within this section, a family home child care licensee licensed prior to March 31, 2012, and continuously maintaining the license may meet the "equivalent education" requirement by achieving a level three rating in the early achievers program, Washington state's quality rating improvement system, prior to March 31, 2017.
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