NOVEMBER 11, 1999 - Kathy Wilbur, Director of the Department of Consumer & Industry Services, today announced major revisions to Michigan’s child day care center rules. These changes are the result of input and suggestions gathered in six public hearings as well and by mail and e-mail during the public comment period conducted by the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) which oversees child day care licensing and regulation.
"These changes are the result of a process that worked," said Wilbur. "We heard from committed parents, child care providers, and advocates throughout Michigan who have helped us craft new rules that will enable us to better protect and nurture the 230,000 children in Michigan’s day care centers. These new rules are a win for Michigan children and their parents. By providing for a first-ever contract between parents and day care centers we are setting an unprecedented level of understanding and accountability."
More than 250 testified at the six public hearings held during October in Escanaba, Gaylord, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Detroit and Grand Rapids. Hundreds more submitted written comments.
Revisions to the child care administrative rules include:
Requiring a Child Placement Contract between centers and parents that includes at minimum all current regulatory requirements on diapering, formula, feeding and hand washing. This contract will be enforceable by CIS and allows centers and parents to establish standards that exceed minimum requirements.
Increasing Staffing Ratios to reflect the current 1:4 ratio for children 23 months to 2 ½ years of age and providing for an increased ratio of 1:8 for children 2 ½ to 3 years of age. (Current rules requires a 1:10 for this age group.)
Improving and updating fire safety requirements by implementing the tougher standards spelled out in the draft rule language.
Retaining current vocational education requirements for care givers.
Prohibiting the use of volunteers or staff who have been convicted of abuse or neglect or a felony involving harm or threatened harm.
Strengthening child care center reporting requirements to improve CIS oversight.
Preserving the current requirement that child care center program directors be on site
Permitting alternative certification by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education in addition to the current process.
Preserving the existing minimum 1200 square foot outdoor play space requirement while providing for an alternative, adequacy-based standard for on site employer-based and public school-based child care.
Retaining the existing the 35 and 50 square foot per child requirements for indoor play space while allowing for an adequacy standard for on-site employer-based and public school-based care.
Restoring the current primary child care provider requirements.
Updating nutritional standards to meet current United States Department of Agriculture requirements.
Implementing safety standards for playground equipment.
Increasing licensing requirements to include the preparation and implementation of staff training plans.
"We believe these changes to the child care center rules reflect the concerns and suggestions we heard during the public comment process," continued Wilbur. "By giving us some important new oversight tools, these rules will enable us to do a better job for Michigan’s working parents and their children."
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