Vermont child care, camp and ratio rules

Child care licensing

Any place or program run regularly to care for and supervise children outside their homes for less than 24 hours a day needs a DCF license, or registration for a family child care home, unless it is exempt (33 V.S.A. §§3502, 3511). Vermont has separate license rules for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, Afterschool Child Care Programs, and family child care homes.

After-school and recreation programs: Exempt programs include recreation programs that run less than 4 hours a day and no more than 13 weeks a year for children ages 3-5, or no more than 13 consecutive weeks for children who have finished kindergarten. Also exempt are programs that meet only 4 hours one day a week or 2 hours two days a week, single-skill activities, and programs run mainly for recreation where care is only incidental. A school-age program funded by 21st Century Community Learning Centers and overseen by the Agency of Education is exempt unless it takes child care subsidy (33 V.S.A. §3502(b); Afterschool Regulations ASP 1.5).

Licensing agency: Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD), Child Care Licensing

Sources: DCF CDD: Child Care Licensing Regulations (current rules and memos); Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, 13-171-004 (LII mirror, amended 4/17/2022); Licensing Regulations for Afterschool Child Care Programs, 13-171-003 (LII mirror); 33 V.S.A. §3502, license required and exemptions; 33 V.S.A. §3511, definitions

Staff-to-child ratios in licensed centers

Rule: Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, CBCCPP 6.2.1.3 (Code Vt. R. 13-171-004); Afterschool Child Care Programs ASP 6.2-6.3 (Code Vt. R. 13-171-003). Vermont uses one band for 36 months through kindergarten (1:10, group of 20) and one for 1st grade and up (1:13, group of 26). In mixed-age groups, the ratio and group size for the youngest child apply (CBCCPP 6.2.2). Licensed afterschool programs also use 1:13 with groups of 26, and when more than 10 children are present, another staff member must be available on site nearby (ASP 6.3).

Work out your staffing with the ratio calculator

Summer camps

Residential (overnight) children's camps that run 5 or more consecutive days and supervise children around the clock need an annual Department of Health license (18 V.S.A. §4351; Licensed Children's Camps Rule, effective 1/1/2018). The license covers sanitation, facilities, and health. We found no state license for day camps. A day camp that provides child care may need a DCF child care license unless it qualifies as an exempt recreation program, for example one that runs no more than 13 consecutive weeks for children who have finished kindergarten.

Camp agency: Vermont Department of Health, Food and Lodging Program

Sources: Vermont Department of Health: Lodging Establishments and Children's Camps; Licensed Children's Camps Rule (Vermont Department of Health PDF); 33 V.S.A. §3502 (child care exemptions)

Background checks

Before working with children, new staff, auxiliary staff, and others regularly present must submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division. Staff and the licensee's representative must also be fingerprinted. No one may be left alone with children until the Division approves them based on a check that includes fingerprints. People on a sex offender registry, people with substantiated child abuse/neglect reports, and people with certain convictions are barred (CBCCPP 7.2). Staff must repeat the records check at least every 5 years (CBCCPP 2.3.9.3). We found no background check requirement in the Health Department's children's camp rule.

Sources: CBCCPP 7.2 and 2.3.9.3, 13-171-004 (LII mirror)

Giving medication

Only staff who have completed a Division-approved medication course may give medication, and only with the parent's written permission for each medication. The permission must list the child, date of birth, allergies, drug, dose, time, route, reason, start and end dates, and any special instructions. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs must be in their original, labeled containers and not expired. Each dose is logged, and records are kept 365 days. Rescue medications such as EpiPens and inhalers must be kept immediately accessible (CBCCPP 5.6).

Free medication administration log

Sources: CBCCPP 5.6, Administration of Medication, 13-171-004 (LII mirror)

Reporting child abuse

Mandated reporters include child care workers, school employees, camp owners, administrators, and counselors (at both residential and day recreation programs), health care providers, clergy, and other listed professions. They must report suspected abuse or neglect to DCF within 24 hours. Anyone else may report (33 V.S.A. §4913).

Vermont child abuse hotline: 1-800-649-5285 (how to report). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources: 33 V.S.A. §4913, mandated reporters; DCF Family Services: Report Child Abuse; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect