CHILD-CARE LICENSING

 

 

 

The Care-Care Licensing Unit is responsible for licensing all child-care situations where more than five (5) children are cared for and maintaining the Voluntary Registry for persons providing care to five (5) or fewer children who choose to be registered.  The Unit inspects all licensed centers and homes a minimum of three (3) times per year and registered homes at least once per year.  Technical assistance and consultative services are provided to licensed and registered programs and to applicants and parents.

 

The Unit investigates complaints on licensed and registered child-care facilities.  Another function of this unit is assisting the Family Protection Unit, within the Arkansas State Police, in investigation of child maltreatment complaints in these facilities.  The Licensing Unit is also responsible for processing and tracking background checks on all child-care owners/operators and employees through the FBI, State Police and the Arkansas Central Registry.  Licensing staff insures that appropriate corrective action is taken on any persons found to have a record of child maltreatment or a conviction of a prohibited offense.

 

The Child-Care Licensing Unit was placed with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education following passage of Act 1132 in 1997.  The Residential Placement Unit, previously a part of the Licensing Unit, stayed with the Division of Child and Family Services.

 

In 1997, the Child-Care Licensing Unit shifted to open-ended licenses and reduced time frames for processing new applications for licensure from sixty (60) to less than thirty (30) days. The Unit completed a revision of the licensing standards for child-care centers, day-care family homes and voluntary registered homes in 1999, which included updated playground rules and regulations.  An emphasis was placed on simplification and streamlining administrative processes.  During 2000, licensing standards for child-care centers, child-care family homes and voluntary registered homes were reviewed for revision and updating.  This continues to be a work in progress for the Unit, with a target date of early 2001 for completion.  The Unit has continued to reduce duplication of efforts and to improve both the safety of children in child-care and the quality of services provided.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000

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