District of Columbia child care, camp and ratio rules

Child care licensing

Any center, home or other setting that regularly cares for more than two unrelated children needs an OSSE license as a Child Development Facility unless it is exempt. Licensed facility types are child development centers, child development homes, expanded homes and out-of-school-time (OST) programs (5-A DCMR §101.3-101.4).

After-school and recreation programs: Facilities that provide only before-school care, only after-school care, or only summer camp to school-age children do not need a license (5-A DCMR §101.5). Also exempt: public, charter and private schools during the full school day, classes or activities such as tutoring, music, dance, sport or art while parents stay on the premises, care during religious services, and care by relatives.

Licensing agency: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning, Licensing and Compliance

Sources: OSSE Licensing and Compliance (includes exemption list); 5-A DCMR §121, Adult-to-Child Ratios and Group Size (DC Register); 5-A DCMR §101, Applicability and exemptions (DC Register); OSSE Final Rulemaking, Licensing of Child Development Facilities (Dec. 2016, full text)

Staff-to-child ratios in licensed centers

Rule: 5-A DCMR §121.3(a)-(b). DC sets age bands in months. The 1:8 band runs from 30 to 48 months, so it covers most 3-year-olds. The center table for infants, toddlers and preschoolers ends at 60 months. Out-of-school-time care for school-age children uses 1:12 (group of 24) for children under 6 and 1:15 (group of 30) for ages 6 and up. In mixed-age groups the youngest child's ratio applies (§121.6). Centers serving infants, toddlers or preschoolers need two staff members (a teacher plus an assistant teacher or aide) with each group at all times (§121.8). Ratios must be met at all times, including naps and transport (§121.2).

Work out your staffing with the ratio calculator

Summer camps

We found no separate DC youth camp license. OSSE's child care rules exempt facilities that provide only summer camp to school-age children (5-A DCMR §101.5). A camp that serves children below school age does not fit that exemption and may need a Child Development Facility license from OSSE.

Sources: 5-A DCMR §101.5 exemptions (OSSE Licensing and Compliance page)

Background checks

Licensed facilities must request an OSSE background check before a person starts work and at least every 3 years after that (5-A DCMR §133.3). The check covers an FBI fingerprint check, the national sex offender registry, and the criminal, sex offender and child abuse and neglect registries for DC and every state lived in during the past 5 years (§132.2). Staff are also subject to a drug and alcohol testing program, and drivers need a traffic records check. A new hire may start once the request is submitted, but only under constant supervision by someone with a qualifying check (§133.5). License-exempt camps have no OSSE background check rule. Programs run by or under contract with the DC government must run FBI and police criminal checks under DC Code §4-1501.01 et seq.

Sources: 5-A DCMR §132-133 (DC Register); OSSE Final Rulemaking, Licensing of Child Development Facilities (Dec. 2016, full text); DC Code §4-1501.02 (covered child or youth services providers)

Giving medication

Before any medicine is given (other than emergency first aid), the facility needs a signed parent authorization form, approval of the medicine and dose by a licensed health care practitioner, and a staff member who has completed approved medication training or is a nurse or certified medication technician. Prescription medicine needs a pharmacy label, and the child must already have had at least one dose at home. All medicine stays in its original container and is labeled with the child's name, and every dose goes in the medication log. Parent-supplied sunscreen, diaper cream and insect repellent need written parent consent only (5-A DCMR §153).

Free medication administration log

Sources: 5-A DCMR §153, Medication Administration and Storage (DC Register)

Reporting child abuse

Mandatory reporters are listed professions. The list includes day care workers, teachers, school officials, athletic coaches, Department of Parks and Recreation employees, social services workers and health professionals (DC Code §4-1321.02). They must make an oral report immediately to the Child and Family Services Agency or the Metropolitan Police Department, and a written report if asked (§4-1321.03). Non-emergency reports can also be filed through CFSA's online mandated reporter portal.

District of Columbia child abuse hotline: (202) 671-SAFE / (202) 671-7233 (CFSA, 24/7) (how to report). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources: DC Code §4-1321.02 (mandatory reporters); DC Code §4-1321.03 (timing and content of reports); CFSA: Report Child Abuse and Neglect