WSR 98-02-057

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Children's Administration)

[Filed January 6, 1998, 4:07 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: In chapter 388-155 WAC, Minimum licensing requirements for family child day care homes; WAC 388-155-180 Staffing--Qualifications, 388-155-190 Capacity, 388-155-200 Development and training, and 388-155-470 Personnel records; and any other related sections. In chapter 388-150 WAC, Minimum licensing requirements for child day care centers; WAC 388-150-180 Staff pattern and qualifications, 388-150-190 Group size and staff-child ratios, 388-150-200 Staff development and training, and 388-150-470 Personnel policies and records; and any other related sections. In chapter 388-151 WAC, School-age child care center minimum licensing requirements; WAC 388-151-180 Staff pattern and qualifications, 388-151-190 Group size and staff-child ratios, 388-151-200 Staff development, orientation, and training, and 388-151-470 Personnel policies and records; and any other related sections.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.15.030.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes in WAC are needed to comply with Section 202(8), Legislative Budget for 1997-1999 Biennium which states: "The department shall adopt rules to require annual training in early childhood education development of all directors, supervisors, and lead staff at child care facilities . . . includ(ing) persons licensed as family child care providers, and persons employed at child care centers or school age child care centers."

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Social and Health Services - Office of Child Care Policy (OCCP), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Child Care Coordinating Committee, Department of Health, State Fire Marshal's Office, Department of Social and Health Services - Economic Services Administration, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Higher Education Coordinating Board, Federal Headstart Bureau, and Indian tribes within the state of Washington. All of these listed groups are represented on the Child Care Coordinating Committee.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Social and Health Services encourages the public to take part in developing these rules. To participate in drafting the rules or to request to be on the OCCP mailing list contact the staff persons indicated below. The Department of Social and Health Services will file a copy of the proposed rule with the office of the code reviser and will send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy. The department encourages anyone interested in these rules to send written comments. All comments will be seriously considered before rules are adopted.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Susan Kavanaugh, Office of Child Care Policy, P.O. Box 45700, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-8043, FAX (360) 902-7903, e-mail kasu300@DSHS.wa.gov; and Gretchen Stahr-Breunig, Office of Child Care Policy, P.O. Box 45700, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-0217, FAX (360) 902-7903, e-mail breg300@DSHS.wa.gov.

January 5, 1998

Merry A. Kogut, Manager