(1) Early learning providers licensed, working, or volunteering in an early learning program ((before the date this section becomes effective)) must complete the applicable training requirements of subsections (4) through (11) of this section within three months of the date ((this section becomes effective))of hire and prior to working in an unsupervised capacity with children unless otherwise indicated. State or federal rules may require health and safety training described under this chapter to be renewed annually. ((Early learning providers hired after the date this section becomes effective must complete the training requirements of subsections (4) through (10) of this section within three months of the date of hire and prior to working in an unsupervised capacity with children.))

(2) License applicants and early learning providers must register with the electronic workforce registry prior to being granted an initial license or working with children in an unsupervised capacity.

(3) License applicants, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, assistant teachers, and aides must complete the child care basics training as approved or offered by the department:

(a) Prior to being granted a license; or

(b) Prior to working unsupervised with children((; or

(c) Within three months of the date this section becomes effective if already employed or being promoted to a new role)).

(4) Early learning providers must complete the recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, and exploitation training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section. Training must include the prevention of child abuse and neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 and mandatory reporting requirements under RCW 26.44.030.

(5) Early learning providers must complete the emergency preparedness training as approved or offered by the department (applicable to the early learning program where they work or volunteer) according to subsection (1) of this section.

(6) Early learning providers licensed to care for infants must complete the prevention and identifying shaken baby syndrome/abuse head trauma training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section.

(7) Early learning providers must complete the serving children experiencing homelessness training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section.

(8) License applicants and early learning providers licensed to care for infants must complete the safe sleep training as approved or offered by the department. This training must be completed annually and:

(a) Prior to being licensed; or

(b) Prior to caring for infants((; or

(9) Family home licensees, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, and lead teachers must complete the medication management and administration training as approved or offered by the department prior to giving medication to an enrolled child, or as indicated in subsection (1) of this section.

(10) Early learning providers who directly care for children must complete the prevention of exposure to blood and body fluids training that meets Washington state department of labor and industries' requirements prior to being granted a license or working with children. This training must be repeated pursuant to Washington state department of labor and industries regulations.

(11) Family home licensees, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, assistant teachers, and any other early learning providers counted in staff-to-child ratio, or who could potentially be counted in ratio, must be trained in pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(a) At least one early learning provider counted in staff-to-child ratio for each group of children must have a current pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate CPR certificate.

(b) Proof of training can be shown with a certification card, certificate, or instructor letter.

(((b)))(c) The pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate CPR training and certification must:

(i) ((Be delivered in person and))Include a live, hands-on component for pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate CPR demonstrated in front of an instructor either in-person or remotely who is certified by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, ((American Safety and)) Health and Safety Institute, or other nationally recognized certification program;

(ii) Include child and adult first-aid ((and));

(iii) Include pediatric and adult CPR; and

(((iii) Infant first-aid and))(iv) Include infant CPR, if applicable.

(12) Early learning providers who prepare or serve food to children at an early learning program must obtain a current food worker card prior to preparing or serving food. Food worker cards must:

(a) Be obtained through the local health jurisdiction, in person or online; and

(b) Be renewed prior to expiring.

(1) Pursuant to ((section 313, chapter 199, Laws of 2021))RCW 43.216.692, the department may waive the limit established in RCW 43.216.010 (1)(c) that restricts family home providers from serving more than 12 children.

(2) ((Family home))Providers must apply to the department in writing to request waivers to serve more than 12 but not more than 16 children. To apply in writing, family home providers must use the process prescribed by the department.

(3) The department will consider the following criteria to determine whether to grant, continue, or rescind waivers to family home providers' total capacity of 12 children:

(a) The licensee's years' of experience providing early learning services. A ((family home)) provider must have at least three years' of experience to be eligible for a waiver under this section. To satisfy the three years' experience requirement, the family home provider must have served for a total of three years or more in one or more of the following child care roles: Center director, program supervisor, family home licensee, or other similar role in a child care setting.

(b) The providers licensing history. The licensee must be operating under a full, nonexpiring family home license to be approved for a waiver under this section.

(c)Available square footage:

(i) There must be at least 35 square feet of licensed, accessible indoor space for each child included in the total capacity.

(ii) There must be an additional 15 square feet of licensed, accessible indoor space for each ((infant or toddler))child under the age of 24 months included in the total capacity.

(iii) There must be at least 75 square feet of licensed, accessible outdoor space for each child included in the total capacity. Alternatively, a family home provider may develop a plan to rotate groups of children to play outdoors or a department-approved plan to use an off-site play area.

(((c)))(d)Staffing qualifications when operating with the 13 to 16 children present:

(i) The licensee must have an ECE short certificate or equivalent, as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department.

(ii) When the licensee is not on-site, they must designate a person on-site who meets the requirements of this subsection to manage the early learning program.

(iii) Additionally, at least one staff person or volunteer working on-site must have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent.

(e) Staff-to-child ratios and age group limits. When operating with 13 ((or more children. When the licensee is not on-site, they must designate a person on-site who meets the requirements of this subsection to manage the early learning program.

(ii) In addition to the requirements in (c)(i) of this subsection, at least one staff person or volunteer working on-site must have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent when operating with 13 or more children.

(d) Staff-to-child ratios and age group limits:

(i) A family home provider licensed to care for children ages))to 16 children:

A provider licensed to care for children ages:

(i) Two years old and above must not exceed a maximum staff-to-child ratio of 1:8 ((when operating with 13 or more children.));

(ii) ((A family home provider licensed to care for children))Under two years of age must not exceed a maximum staff-to-child ratio of 1:6 ((when operating with 13 or more children.

(iii) A family home provider licensed to care for children under two years of age may have up to six children under two years of age)); and

(iii) Under two years of age may have up to six children attend at any one time under the following conditions:

(A) Five children under two years of age may attend at any one time if at least one of those children can walk independently((;)).

(B) Six children under two years of age may attend at any one time if at least two of those children can walk independently.

(((iv) A family home provider licensed to care for children under two years of age must not have more than six children under two years of age attend at any one time;

(e)))(f)The intended use of licensed space. Plans to use the space must include details regarding napping, supervision, and diapering, if applicable. A waiver granted under this section does not allow a licensee to provide overnight care for more than 12 children.

(((f)))(g)The emergency preparedness plan.((The emergency plan must account for the total capacity of children requested.

(g) The number of working, accessible toilets and sinks.))Licensees granted a waiver under this section must follow:

(i) WAC 110-300-0470.

(ii) The emergency plan must account for the total capacity of children requested.

(iii) The early learning program space must have emergency lighting for interior stairs that automatically turns on when electrical power goes out. Such emergency lighting may include, but is not limited to, battery operated overhead lights.

(iv) Any kitchen within the early learning program space or used by and connected to the early learning program space must have:

(A) At least one fire extinguisher or one can of fire extinguisher aerosol spray; and

(B) A heat detector.

(v) The early learning program staff must be able to demonstrate, at least annually to licensing staff, the ability to evacuate all early learning staff and children from inside the home to a safe location outside the home in two minutes or less.

(h) The number of working, accessible toilets and sinks.

(i) There must be a ratio of at least one working flush toilet and one handwashing sink for every 15 household members, staff, and requested capacity of children.

((There must be a ratio of at least one working flush toilet and one handwashing sink for every 15 household members, staff, and requested capacity of children.))

(A) A child in diapers does not count for purposes of toilet calculations until the child begins toilet training.

(B) Staff persons and household members may use toilets and handwashing sinks located outside of licensed space on the premises.

(ii) A ((family home)) provider whose facility relies on a private septic system must provide to the department verification from the local health jurisdiction the system can accommodate the total number of household members, staff, and requested capacity of children.

(((h) The provider's licensing history.))

(i) The number and variety of early learning materials. For the total capacity requested there must be a sufficient number and variety of materials to engage children in the early learning program.

(j) The total capacity the provider is requesting.

(4) A waiver granted under this section may be time specific or may remain in effect for as long as the family home provider continues to comply with the waiver's conditions. If the waiver is time-limited, the provider must not exceed the time frame established by the department.

(5) Before the ((family home)) provider ((implements))begins providing care for 13 to 16 children pursuant to a waiver under this section((,)):

(a) The waiver must be approved in writing by the department secretary or the secretary's designee; and

(b) The licensee must provide documentation to the department from the city or county within which the early learning program operates (or a third party approved by the city or county) that states the early learning program space and structures meet local building codes and the requirements of the department's Family Home Child Capacity Waiver inspection checklist.

(6) A denial of a waiver request is not an enforcement action as described in RCW 43.216.010 and is not subject to an appeal by a provider.

(7) The department may rescind a waiver granted under this section at any time including, but not limited to, the following reasons:

(a) The provider no longer meets the criteria described in this section;

(b) The department issues an enforcement action against the provider;

(d) The department determines that continued operation under the waiver does or may harm the health, safety, or well-being of enrolled children;

(e) A licensing rule that was considered in granting the waiver is repealed or amended; or

(f) A license is transferred pursuant to RCW 43.216.305 and WAC 110-300-0011 and the conditions of the waiver can no longer be met.

(8) A family home provider granted a waiver under this section must inform the parents and guardians of enrolled children of the approved waiver:

(a) Prior to operating with 13 ((or more))to 16 children for the first time; and

(b) When a new child or new family is enrolled.

(1) A school-age provider licensed, working, or volunteering in a school-age program ((before the date this section becomes effective)) must complete the applicable training requirements of subsections (3) through (9) of this section within three months of the date ((this section becomes effective))of hire and prior to working in an unsupervised capacity with children unless otherwise indicated. State or federal rules may require health and safety training described under this chapter to be renewed annually. ((A school-age provider hired after the date this section becomes effective must complete the training requirements of subsections (4) through (8) of this section within three months of the date of hire and prior to working in an unsupervised capacity with children.))

(2) License applicants and school-age providers must register with the electronic workforce registry prior to being granted an initial license or working with children in an unsupervised capacity.

(3) License applicants, program directors, site directors, lead teachers, and assistant teachers must complete the school-age basics training as approved or offered by the department:

(a) Prior to being granted a license; or

(b) Prior to working unsupervised with children((; or

(c) Within three months of the date this section becomes effective if already employed or being promoted to a new role)).

(4) A school-age provider must complete the recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, and exploitation training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section. Training must include the prevention of child abuse and neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 and mandatory reporting requirements under RCW 26.44.030.

(5) A school-age provider must complete the emergency preparedness training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section.

(6) A school-age provider must complete the serving children experiencing homelessness training as approved or offered by the department according to subsection (1) of this section.

(7) Program directors, site directors, and lead teachers must complete the medication management and administration training as approved or offered by the department prior to giving medication to an enrolled child, or as indicated in subsection (1) of this section.

(8) A school-age provider who directly cares for children must complete the prevention of exposure to blood and bodily fluids training that meets Washington state department of labor and industries' requirements prior to being granted a license or working with children. This training must be repeated pursuant to Washington state department of labor and industries regulations.

(9) Program directors, site directors, lead teachers, assistant teachers and any other school-age provider counted in staff-to-child ratio, or who could potentially be counted in ratio, must be trained in pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(a) At least one school-age provider counted in staff-to-child ratio for each group of children must have a current pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate CPR certificate.

(b) Proof of training can be shown with a certification card, certificate, or instructor letter.

(((b)))(c) The pediatric first-aid and age-appropriate CPR training and certification must:

(i) ((Be delivered in person and include))A live hands-on component for first aid and CPR demonstrated in front of an instructor either in-person or remotely who is certified by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, ((American Safety and)) Health and Safety Institute, or other nationally recognized certification program; ((and))

(ii) ((Include child))Pediatric and adult first aid; and

(iii) Pediatric and adult CPR.

(10) A school-age provider who prepares or serves food to children at a school-age program must obtain a current food worker card prior to preparing or serving food. Food worker cards must:

(a) Be obtained through the local health jurisdiction, in-person or online; and

(b) Be renewed prior to expiring.