Library: Policy

340:110-1-8.5. Administrative criteria

Revised 6-1-22

(a) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star center criteria.  Administrative criteria listed in (1) – (6) of this subsection are required.

(1) At least annually, the director or supervising personnel evaluates personnel in writing utilizing the Oklahoma Core Competencies and assists personnel in developing the educational professional development plan.

(2) Personnel policies are provided to personnel upon employment and when revisions are made.  These policies include information on:

(A) personnel hiring and termination;

(B) job duties and responsibilities for each position;

(C) professional development requirements, including minimum professional development hours required;

(D) personnel attendance policy;

(E) the program's mission or vision statement;

(F) organizational structure;

(G) professional and ethical conduct;

(H) children's transition plans for:

(i) daily activity transitions;

(ii) new teaching personnel or classroom; and

(iii) transition to a new child care program, Head Start, or school; and

(I) continuity of care plans, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-1-8.8(b)(5).

(3) Personnel policies are maintained on site.

(4) Programs are registered as a direct care organization with the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR) by following and maintaining all items listed in the Direct Care Facility Handbook.

(5) Program personnel counted in staff-child ratio and the director are OPDR members having current Professional Development Ladder (PDL) certificates.  New personnel counted in staff-child ratio and directors must be verified on OPDR having current PDL certificates within 12 months of employment. • 1

(6) Personnel meetings are conducted, at least:

(A) twice annually for two-star programs;

(B) quarterly for three-star programs;

(C) every other month for four-star programs; and

(D) monthly for five-star programs.

(b) Three-, four-, and five-star center criteria.  In addition to administrative criteria in (a) of this Section, programs maintain a written policy regarding children's assignments to teaching personnel, per OAC 340:110-1-8.8.

(c) Four- and five-star center criteria.  Programs implement personnel benefits and resources for well-being and personnel retention.  Four-star programs implement at least two benefits, and five-star programs implement at least four benefits.  Benefits are listed in the personnel policy, and examples may include:

(1) personnel salary scale based on PDL level, position responsibilities, experience, or longevity;

(2) fully- or partially-paid health insurance;

(3) on-going employee wellness activities;

(4) paid sick and vacation days;

(5) coaching and reflection release time;

(6) employer contribution to retirement plan;

(7) designated break and lunch times away from program responsibilities;

(8) personnel break room;

(9) free or discounted child care;

(10) professional development or educational financial aid;

(11) annual Adverse Childhood Experience and resiliency training;

(12) health and wellness education presented quarterly at personnel meetings; or

(13) paid gym memberships.

(d) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star home criteria.  Administrative criteria listed in (1) through (3) of this subsection are required.

(1) The primary caregiver is an OPDR member having a current PDL certificate.  • 2

(2) Programs are registered as a direct care organization with the OPDR by following and maintaining all items listed in the Direct Care Facility Handbook.

(3) Assistant caregivers are OPDR members having current PDL certificates.  New assistant caregivers are verified on OPDR having current PDL certificates within 12 months of employment.  • 1

(e) Three-, four-, and five-star home criteria.  Administrative criteria listed in (c) of this Section and (1) through (3) of this subsection are required.  The owner or primary caregiver:

(1) maintains assistant caregivers' written job descriptions and responsibilities;

(2) evaluates assistant caregivers in writing annually, including developing the educational professional development plan; and

(3) maintains a written policy regarding children's transition plans, for:

(A) daily activity transitions;

(B) new caregivers; and

(C) transition to a new child care program, Head Start, or school.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:110-1-8.5

Revised 6-1-22

1. Licensing staff reviews Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR) records for compliance with professional development criteria.  Program personnel and assistant caregiver OPDR registration is due by the end of the 12th month of the first employment year.

2. Licensing staff reviews OPDR records for compliance with professional development criteria.  OPDR registration for primary caregiver/owner is due prior to approval for a higher star certification level.  When employing a new primary caregiver, OPDR registration is due prior to qualifications approval.