Illinois Department of Children & Family Services Want to Open a Day Care Home? A Self-Assessment Guide to Determine Readiness to Enter the 1Licensing Process
Introduction This guide and self-assessment will help you consider the various requirements for operating a day care home licensed in Illinois. It will also help you to determine if you are ready for your licensing representative to begin the licensing process. To help you understand licensing requirements, each question in the self-assessment notes the specific standard from Part 406, Day Care Home Licensing Standards. You do not have to comply with every standard covered in the selfassessment before you submit a license application. Table of Contents Readiness Self-Assessment... 3 Background Checks and Fingerprinting... 3 Medical Reports... 4 Caregiver Requirements... 5 Local Zoning or Municipal Requirements... 6 Home/Physical Premises... 7 Furnishings & Equipment (Indoor)... 9 Pools/Hot Tubs... 10 Pets... 10 Storage of Hazardous Items... 11 Firearms... 12 Basement... 12 Night Care... 14 Request for an Application... 14 Orientation... 15 A Complete Application... 15 Planning for your Home Visit... 17 2
Readiness Self-Assessment Yes No Have you carefully read Part 406, Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes? If you have not, please do so before continuing any further. Yes No Have you previously been denied a license because of an automatic bar offense in your own or a household member s criminal or child abuse/neglect history? (Please refer to Appendix C of Rule 406) If yes, you should NOT apply for a license at this time unless you can provide documentation that: 1. The matter has been judicially resolved and you or the member of your household have no convictions or pending charges. 2. The conviction was for a lesser, non-barrable offense. 3. You have received a pardon from the governor for the barrable offense. 4. The barred individual no longer resides in your household and will have no contact with any day care children. Background Checks and Fingerprinting Every applicant, adult household member (age 17 and over) and assistant or substitute age 17 and over must be fingerprinted and go through a background check that includes the DCFS child abuse/neglect records, the criminal records of the Illinois State Police (and the FBI in some cases) and the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. Once you have submitted a completed application, you will receive specific information on how to complete this fingerprinting. 3
Yes No Is every applicant, adult household member and assistant and/or substitute age 17 or older willing to get fingerprinted and go through the background check that includes the above? [406.9 a) through d)] Yes No Is every household member and assistant aged 13 through 16 willing to go through a background check that includes a check of the DCFS child abuse/neglect records and the Illinois Sex Offender Registry? [406.9 a) through d)] Yes No Have you or any household member, assistant or substitute ever been convicted of a criminal offense? [406.9 a) through d)] Yes No Has the applicant, household member, assistant or substitute ever been indicated by DCFS as the perpetrator of child abuse or neglect? [406.9 a) through d)] Medical Reports All applicants, members of the household, assistants and regular substitutes will be required to submit verification of a current medical examination, with tuberculin (TB) test results. Children will also be required to submit proof of current immunization and for those children age 6 and under, proof of lead assessment or screening. Yes No Are you and every applicant, household member, assistant and substitute free of any reportable communicable disease and free of any mental or physical condition that could interfere with caring for children? [406.9 l); 406.10 e); 406.11c)] 4
Caregiver Requirements Licensing Standards require that high school diploma or equivalent certificate be provided for each applicant and substitute. [406.4b)1)G)* Applicant A Applicant B High School Graduate Educational Equivalent Certificate *If educational requirements are not met for any Applicant, you cannot be licensed at this time. Please discuss with a Day Care Licensing Representative before submitting an application. Illinois law requires that DCFS not issue a license to anyone who is delinquent in making child support payments. [406.9 e) through f)] Applicant A Applicant B Not Applicable Not Applicable Payments Current Payments Current Payments more than 30 Payments more than 30 days delinquent* days delinquent* *If payments are more than 30 days delinquent for any Applicant, you cannot be licensed at this time. Please discuss with a Day Care Licensing Representative before submitting an application. Pre-service Training Requirements Licensing standards require that each applicant complete 15 hours of pre-service training listed in Rule 406 Appendix D which shall include the following topics: Sudden Unusual Infant Death (SUID), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), and Department Approved Mandated Reporter Training. [406.4b)2)A) through C]. 5
Applicant A Currently certified in SIDS Currently certified in SBS Currently certified Mandated Reporter SIDS class scheduled SBS class scheduled Mandated Reporter class scheduled Other Pre-service classes scheduled Applicant B Licensing Standards require that at least one person who is currently certified in CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and First Aid always be on the premises while day care is being provided. If either applicant and/or any assistant will ever provide care alone, all caregivers must be certified. [406.9 n) through o)]. Currently certified in CPR Currently certified in First Aid CPR class scheduled First Aid class scheduled Applicant Applicant Assistant/ A B Substitute Local Zoning or Municipal Requirements Yes No Have you checked with your city to learn about any zoning or municipal requirements that may affect your license as a day care home? Many locations have separate zoning ordinances or laws that affect day care and place additional requirements on applicants/licensees. It is your responsibility to insure that you have complied with any additional requirements for your city. 6
Home/Physical Premises Check the items that you have in your First Aid kit: [406.8 a) 1] Adhesive bandages Scissors Thermometer Non-permeable gloves Poison Control Center telephone number Sterile gauze pads Adhesive tape Tweezers Mild soap Yes No Do you have an operable fire extinguisher rated for Class A, B, and C fires in your kitchen? [406.8 a) 2] Yes No Do you have an operable flashlight in your kitchen? [406.8 a) 2] Yes No Are all electrical outlets within reach of children under 5 years of age covered with protective coverings? [406.8 a)3] Yes No Is there any exposed or un-insulated wiring in your home? [406.8 a) 3] Yes No Is there a smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement and attic (if occupied)? [406.8 a) 4] Yes No Is there an attached garage or home relies on fossil fuel for heating a carbon monoxide detector within 15 feet of rooms where children nap and sleep? [406.8a)5) A) and B) Yes No Is the home draft free and the temperature can be maintained between 65 degrees and 75 degrees during the winter or heating months? [406.8a)7] Yes No Are there partitions or barriers around fixed space heaters, fireplaces, and/or wood-burning 7
stoves in areas that will be used for child care? [406.8 a) 8] Yes No Is there chipped or peeling paint on any wall or surface in your home? [406.8 a) 11] Yes No Are the walls of rooms that children will use free from lead paint? [406.8 a)12] Yes No Are corridors and escape routes clear of obstructions? [406.8a)22)A] Yes No Are dead end paths or corridors less than 20 feet in length? [406.8a)22)B] Yes No Do all escape routes have operable lighting? [406.8a)22)C] Yes No Do bathroom doors open from the outside if necessary? [406.8a)22)D] Yes No Can closet doors be opened from inside of the closet without the use of a key? [406.8a)22)E] Yes No Are there no more than 2 releasing devices on any exit door or exit window? [406.8a)22)F] Yes No Can exit doors and windows be opened without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge to open? [406.8a)22)G Yes No Are exit doors and windows clear of equipment and debris? [406.8a)22)H] Yes No Does your water come from a city, municipality, or other public source? [406.8 d)] Yes No If your water comes from a non-public source, have you made arrangements to obtain a current water test? [406.8 d)] 8
Yes No Is the sink faucet hot water temperature 115 degrees or below? [406.8e] Yes No Do you have screens on all outside doors (except those with self-closing devices), windows and other openings used for ventilation? [406.8 f) 1] Yes No Are any businesses operating in your home or on the premises? [406.8 l)] Yes No Are there any bedridden or chronically ill persons living in or being cared for in your home? [406.8 m)] Furnishings & Equipment (Indoor) Have Now Will obtain prior to the home visit Operable telephone on the premises. [406.8 a) 26] Single-use or disposable towels & washcloths. [406.14 h) 1] Single-use or disposable cups. [406.14 h) 1] Bed, cot, crib or playpen with individual bedding for each child who will nap or sleep while in care. [406.14 h) 2] Materials & equipment for indoor and outdoor use that are appropriate for the age and developmental needs of the children who will be in care. [406.16 b) 5 through 8] Cribs meet federal safety standards in 16 Code of Federal Regulations 1219 or 1220. [406.8 n)] 9
Pools/Hot Tubs Yes No Do you have a pool? Have Now Will obtain prior to the home visit There is a 5-foot high fence secured with a locking gate around our in-ground swimming pool fence. (406.8 a)27) Our above-ground swimming pool has nonclimbable sidewalls of at least 4 feet high and a removable ladder, or is otherwise protected so that children cannot gain access to the pool. (406.8 a)28) There is a 5-foot fence that is at least 36 inches away from our above-ground pool s sidewalls and secured with a locked gate. This fence surrounds our pool [406.8.a) 28] Our hot-tub has a securely locked cover or is otherwise inaccessible to children (locked gazebo, etc). [406.8 a)30] Pets Yes No Do you have any pets that would be accessible to children in care? [406.8.g)1 through 5] Have Now Will obtain prior to the home visit Proof of current rabies vaccinations for every dog or cat accessible to children in the home. [406.8 g) 1] 10
Do you have any of the following type of pets in your home? (406.8.g.5) Monkeys Ferrets Turtles Iguanas Constricting snakes Venomous snakes Psittacine birds (birds of the parrot family) Other wild or dangerous animals These animals cannot be in contact with day care children and must be removed from the premises or relocated permanently to an area inaccessible to children during hours the day care home is in operation. Storage of Hazardous Items Are the following items stored in a place that is inaccessible to children (locked cabinet, locked closet, locked shed or storage building or stored high out of children s reach)? [406.8 a) 14 through 15] First Aid supplies Prescription Medicines Over-the-Counter Medications Vitamins Cleaning Supplies Bleach Laundry Supplies and Detergent Poisons Sharp scissors Plastic bags Cigarettes Matches and Lighters Flammable liquids Tools and gardening equipment 11
Firearms Licensing standards do not allow handguns on the premises, except in the possession of peace officers or other household members who must possess a handgun as a condition of their employment. There are no firearms of any kind on the premises There are no handguns on the premises. [406.8 a)16] All firearms, (except handguns in the possession of a peace officer) are unloaded and disassembled and are stored in a locked container and are inaccessible to children. [406.8 a)17] Ammunition is stored in a locked container separate from the unloaded, disassembled firearms, that is inaccessible to children. [406.8 a)14] Basement Yes No If you plan to use any part of your basement for your childcare business, are there two exits from your basement? [406.10 a) 7) A and B] Exit #1: Yes No Is a door that goes directly to the outside without passing through or crossing any other level of my home OR Yes No Is a protected exit (via a door or stairway) that allows unobstructed travel directly to the outside of the building at street or ground level. Yes No If you have a protected exit that includes a stairway, is the stairway not more than 8 feet in height? [406.8 a) 7) A and B] 12
If your answer to all three of the above questions was NO, you may not be able to use your basement for childcare. Please discuss this with your Licensing Representative. Exit #2 Yes No Is the second basement exit a window? Yes No Does the window measure LARGER than 20 inches wide by 24 inches high, and is it at least 5.7 feet square? Yes No Can the window be opened without using any tools? Yes No Is the bottom of the window no more than 44 inches above the floor? Yes No If the bottom of the window is more than 24 inches above the floor, is there a permanently attached sturdy ramp or stairs located below the window to allow quick access if there s an emergency? [406.8 a) 10) B) iii] If your second exit is a basement window that does not meet the requirements above, you may not be able to use your basement for childcare. Please consult with your Licensing Representative. Yes No Does the basement floor have a protective covering such as carpet, tile or linoleum? [406.8 h) 4] Yes No If you plan to care for children who are age 30 months or younger, do you have moveable barriers (sturdy gates, doors, or other barriers) to prevent children from having access to stairs that lead to the basement?[406.8 h) 5] 13
Night Care Yes No Do you plan to provide evening or night care? Yes No Will caregivers sleep on the same floor (level) as children who are being cared for at night? [406.23 g)] Yes No Does the room that will be used for sleeping children have two exits? [406.23 i)] Yes No Does one exit lead directly to the outside with a means for safely reaching the ground level? [406.23 j)] If not you may not be able to use your second floor for sleeping children. Please consult with your licensing representative. Yes No If you plan to care for children who are age 30 months or younger, do you have moveable barriers (sturdy gates, doors, or other barriers) to prevent children from having access to stairs that lead to the second level or attic? [406.8 h) 5] Request for an Application A request for a day care home application may be made to the local DCFS licensing office. The address of that office may be found on the Department s website or local directory. Once you have contacted the DCFS licensing office, you should receive the following documents: 1) A cover letter containing the name and phone number of an assigned licensing representative who will be your contact person in the licensing process; 2) Instructions for accessing an electronic copy of Rule 406, Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes; 14
3) A copy of the Child Care Act; 4) Two copies CFS 597- DCI, Application for Day Care Home/ Group Day Care Home License; 5) Three copies of the CFS 718, Authorization for Background Check; 6) Two copies of CFS 560, Child Support Certification; 7) Two copies of the CFS 602, Medical Report of Adult in a Child Care Facility; and 8) Two copies of the CFS 600, State Of Illinois Department of Human services Certificate of Child Health Examination. 9) Instructions for subscription of membership in the Gateways to Opportunity Registry and all educational and pre-service training credits entered into the registry Orientation Meeting Department licensing staff may provide in-person group orientation training to prospective day care home applicants at the local DCFS office. However, the On-line Day Care Home Orientation Training is available on the Department s website under Training/Virtual Training : https://www.dcfstraining.org/vtc/account/tologin.do A Complete Application A complete application includes: A) A signed and dated CFS 597-DCI, Application for Day Care Home/Group Day Care Home License. B) A completed, signed and dated CFS 718, Authorization for a Background Check for all applicants(s), employees, or persons used to replace supplemental staff, and for each member of the household age thirteen (13) years or older. 15
C) A complete, signed and dated CFS 560, Child Support Certification for each applicant. D) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 adults not related to the applicant(s), nor living in the household who can attest to the applicant s character and suitability to provide child care. Three letters of reference will be sent out for each applicant. E) A written hazard protection plan that minimally addresses: adult supervision and physical means required to minimize risk to children in potential hazards within the home identifying potential outdoor hazards in areas accessible to children traffic construction bodies of water open stairwells neighborhood dogs F) A copy of a high school diploma or equivalent certificate such as General Educational Diploma (GED) certificate. G) Training certificates of 15 hours of pre-service training per applicant no more than one (1) year prior to application date. Of the 15 pre-service hours required per applicant each applicant shall complete the following required topics: Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) and SUID, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and Department approved Mandated Reporter Training. H) Proof of membership in the Gateways to Opportunity Registry and all educational and pre-service training credits entered into the registry. 16
Planning for your Home Visit After the results of your background checks have arrived and three positive references have been received, your assigned Licensing Representative will phone you to make an appointment for your initial home visit. At this time, the Licensing Representative will discuss the licensing standards with you, do a walk-through of your home, and discuss some child development and child care basics with you, such as discipline, nutrition, supervision, etc. Licensing Representative will check your home to make sure that your are in compliance with all of the licensing standards. Your Licensing Representative will ask you for your family s medical reports, will ask to see proof of mandatory car insurance (if you plan to transport children), water test results (if you do not have city water ), proof of your current First Aid and CPR certification, rabies vaccination certificates for your cats and dogs, and other items. They will also provide you with some additional paperwork for you to sign. Two examples of this are the Consumer Product Safety Act Acknowledgement form, which means you have checked your toys and equipment and nothing you are using has been recalled or is considered unsafe, and the Mandatory Reporter Acknowledgement form, which states that you agree to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect. You will also be given a supply of forms for your day care children s records and given instructions on how to use them. Information regarding the local Resource and Referral agency, food programs, and other resources may also be given to you during the visit. It is very important that you be ready for your home visit. If you are not, your Licensing Representative may have to return to your home and verify in person that you have made corrections. This will cause a delay in making a decision and recommendation on your license. If you fail to make corrections in a timely manner, your licensing representative may have to recommend that your application for a day care home license be denied. 17
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Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois DCFS #780 June 2013 1,000 Copies CFS 599 Rev. 8/2012 20