This Instruction clarifies two issues concerning the staff-child ratios established for child care centers and outside-school-hours care centers in the CACFP regulations (226.6(d)(2)): (1) Are staff-child ratios based on actual attendance or on enrollment; and (2) When children from various age groups are in attendance, how is the necessary minimum number of staff members determined?
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989 amended the National School Lunch Act to provide for additional administrative payments to sponsoring organizations wishing to expand into rural and low-income areas.
We recently received an inquiry regarding the appropriate interpretation of that the portion of Section 226.6(d)(3) f the CACFP) regulations that reads “Licensing or approval is not available when (i) no federal, state or local licensing/approval standards have been established for child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, or day care homes; or (ii) no mechanism exists to determine compliance with licensing approval standards.”
Attached is the third set of questions and answers on the two-tiered reimbursement structure for family day care homes in the CACFP. Also attached are: (1) “Enrollment and Attendance List Examples”; and (2) “Computing Reimbursement for a Tier H Mixed Home.”