ARKANSAS BETTER BEGINNINGS CHILDCARE CENTER REQUIREMENTS

All facilities must be in good standing with the Department of Education.

COMPONENTS	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 2 Must meet all requirements for Level 1	LEVEL 3 Must meet all requirements for Level 1 and Level 2	LEVEL 4 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 3	LEVEL 5 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 4	LEVEL 6 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 - 5
A. Administration	1.A.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status. 1.A.2 The facility may have a program review completed by a certified PAS assessor. School age programs using YPQI may have a PQA Form B review completed by a reliable assessor.	2.A.1 The facility shall have a PAS review completed by a certified PAS assessor. School-age programs using YPQI shall have a PQA Form B review completed by a reliable assessor. 2.A.2 The director shall complete a Strengthening Families training listed on the PDR.	3.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on PAS items 1-21 (items 5 and 6 are scored but are not included in the average). School-age programs using YPQI shall have a PQA Form B score of 3.75 or higher. 3.A.2 The director shall complete the Strengthening Families online self-assessment for three (3) or more Strategies.	4.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on PAS. School-age programs using YPQI shall have a PQA Form B score of 4.00 or higher. 4.A.2 The director shall implement at least one (1) additional Strengthening Families action step for a total of two (2).	5.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on PAS. School-age programs using YPQI shall have a PQA Form B score of 4.25 or higher.	6.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on PAS. School-age programs using YPQI shall have a PQA Form B score of 4.75 or higher.

			3.A.3 The facility shall develop a Strengthening Families action plan and implement at least one (1) action step.
B. Staff Qualifications and Professional Development	1.B.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status.	2.B.1 All directors and at least fifty percent (50%) of teaching staff shall complete “Early Learning Standards (ELS) Basics Training.” The director and school-age staff shall complete “Developmental Assets Training.” 2.B.2 All directors and fifty percent (50%) of teaching staff shall complete

		an ERS training; if the facility is using YPQI, all directors and school-age staff shall complete YPQI training. 2.B.3 The director and kitchen manager (if applicable) shall participate in at least two (2) clock hours of training on nutrition for children annually. 2.B.4 The director shall complete training on developmentally appropriate physical activities for children.
C. Learning Environment /	1.C.1 The facility has a license in New	2.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 3.00 or higher	3.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher	4.C.1 Staff to child ratios shall be maintained as follows:	5.C.1 Staff to child ratios shall be maintained as follows:	6.C.1 Staff to child ratios shall be maintained as follows:

Environment Assessment	Provisional or Regular status. 1.C.2 The facility may have an ERS review. School age programs using YPQI may have a PQA review.	on the ERS review. School age programs using PQA shall score a 3.00 or higher on the PQA.	on the ERS. School age programs using PQA shall score 3.75 or higher on the PQA. 3.C.2 The staff shall maintain a portfolio for each child.	Birth-18 months 1:4 18-36 months 1:7 2 ½ - 3 years 1:11 4 years 1:12 5 years and up 1:20 4.C.2 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on ERS. School age programs using PQA shall score 4.00 or higher on the PQA.	Birth-18 months 1:4 18-36 months 1:6 2 ½ - 3 years 1:10 4 years 1:10 5 years and up 1:20 5.C.2 The facility shall score an average of 5.50 or higher on the ERS. School age programs using the PQA shall score 4.25 or higher on the PQA.	Birth-18 months 1:4 18-36 months 1:6 2 ½ - 3 years 1:10 4 years 1:10 5 years and up 1:20 6.C.2 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on ERS. School age programs using the PQA shall score 4.50 or higher on the PQA.
D. Child Health and Development	1.D.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status.	2.D.1 The facility shall document distribution of ARKids First information to families of uninsured children. 2.D.2 The facility shall	3.D.1 The facility shall share information on nutrition and physical activity for children with families. 3.D.2 The facility shall use an OEC-	4.D.1 The facility shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding &	5.D.1 The facility shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding	6.D.1 The facility shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding

		share information on child development, stages of development, stages of development, and children's health with families. 2.D.3 All children, birth to kindergarten, shall have an annual developmental screening. 2.D.4 The facility shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a child nutrition self-assessment and create and implement one (1) action plan in the child nutrition module.	approved tool to complete a (1) physical activity self-assessment and create and implement one action plan in the physical activity module. 3.D.3 The facility shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in the physical activity module to assess progress.	infant feeding, outdoor play & learning, or screen time and create and implement two action plans in that module. 4.D.2 The facility shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding & infant feeding, outdoor play & learning, OR screen time to assess progress.	and infant feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time and create and implement two (2) action plans in that module. 5.D.2 The facility shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding & infant feeding, outdoor play & learning, OR screen time to assess progress.	and infant feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time and create and implement two (2) action plans in that module. 6.D.2 The facility shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding & infant feeding, outdoor play & learning, OR screen time to assess progress.

		2.D.5 The facility shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in the child nutrition model to assess progress.

ARKANSAS BETTER BEGINNINGS – LICENSED AND REGISTERED HOME REQUIREMENTS

All facilities must be in good standing with the Department of Education.

COMPONENTS	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 2 Must meet all requirements for Level 1	LEVEL 3 Must meet all requirements for Level 1 and Level 2	LEVEL 4 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 3	LEVEL 5 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 4	LEVEL 6 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 - 5
A. Administration	1.A.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status. 1.A.2 The facility may have a program review completed by a certified BAS assessor.	2.A.1 A program review shall be completed by a certified BAS assessor. 2.A.2 The primary caregiver shall complete a Strengthening Families training listed on the PDR.	3.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on BAS items 2-10 (item 2 is scored but is not included in the average). 3.A.2 The primary caregiver shall complete the Strengthening Families online self-assessment for three (3) or more strategies. 3.A.3 The primary caregiver shall develop a	4.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on BAS. 4.A.2 The primary caregiver shall implement at least one (1) additional Strengthening Families action plan for a total of two (2).	5.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on BAS.	6.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on BAS.

			Strengthening Families action plan and implement at least one (1) action step.
B. Staff Qualifications and Professional Development	1.B.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status.	2.B.1 The primary caregiver shall complete “Early Learning Standards Basics” training. 2.B.2 The primary caregiver shall complete an ERS training. 2.B.3 The primary caregiver shall participate in at least two (2) clock hours of training on nutrition for children, annually. 2.B.4 The primary

		caregiver shall complete training on developmentally appropriate physical activities for children.
C. Learning Environment / Environment Assessment	1.C.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status. 1.C.2 The facility may have a FCCERS review.	2.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 3.00 or higher on the FCCERS.	3.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on the FCCERS. 3.C.2 Caregivers shall maintain a portfolio for each child.	4.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on the FCCERS.	5.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.50 or higher on the FCCERS.	6.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on the FCCERS.
D. Child Health and Development	1.D.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status.	2.D.1 The primary caregiver shall document distribution of ARKids First information to families of uninsured children. 2.D.2 The primary caregiver shall	3.D.1 The primary caregiver shall share information on nutrition and physical activity for children with families. 3.D.2 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-	4.D.1 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant	5.D.1 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant	6.D.1 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant

		share information regarding child development, stages of development, and children's health with families. 2.D.3 All children birth to kindergarten shall have an annual developmental screening. 2.D.4 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a child nutrition self-assessment and create and implement one (1) action plan in the child nutrition module.	approved tool to complete a physical activity self-assessment and create and implement one action plan in the physical activity module. 3.D.3 The primary caregiver shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in the physical activity module to assess progress.	feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time and create and implement two (2) action plans in that module. 4.D.2 The primary caregiver shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time to assess progress.	feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time and create and implement two (2) action plans in that module. 5.D.2 The primary caregiver shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time to assess progress.	feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time and create and implement two (2) action plans in that module. 6.D.2 The primary caregiver shall use the OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in child nutrition, physical activity, farm to ECE, oral health, breastfeeding and infant feeding, outdoor play and learning, OR screen time to assess progress.

		2.D.5 The primary caregiver shall use an OEC-approved tool to complete a second self-assessment in the child nutrition module to assess progress.

ARKANSAS BETTER BEGINNINGS – OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME REQUIREMENTS

All facilities must be in good standing with the Department of Education.

COMPONENTS	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 2 Must meet all requirements for Level 1	LEVEL 3 Must meet all requirements for Level 1 and Level 2	LEVEL 4 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 3	LEVEL 5 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 – 4	LEVEL 6 Must meet all requirements for Levels 1 - 5
A. Administration	1.A.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status. 1.A.2 The facility may have a PAS review completed by a certified assessor or a PQA form B review completed by a reliable assessor.	2.A.1 The facility shall have a PAS review completed by a certified assessor. If using YPQI, PAS is not required; however, a PQA Form B review shall be completed by a reliable assessor. 2.A.2 The director shall complete a Strengthening Families training, listed on the PDR.	3.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on PAS items 1-21 (items 5 and 6 are scored but are not included in the average.). If using YPQI, PAS is not required; however, a PQA Form B score of 3.75 or higher is required. 3.A.2 The director shall complete the Strengthening Families online self-assessment	4.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on PAS. If using YPQI, PAS is not required; however, a PQA Form B score of 4.00 or higher is required. 4.A.2 The director shall implement at least one (1) additional Strengthening Families action plan for a total of two (2).	5.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on PAS. If using YPQI, PAS is not required; however, a PQA Form B score of 4.25 or higher is required.	6.A.1 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on PAS. If using YPQI, PAS is not required; however, a PQA Form B score of 4.75 or higher is required.

			for three (3) or more Strategies. 3.A.3 The facility shall develop a Strengthening Families action plan and implement at least one (1) action step.
B. Staff Qualifications and Professional Development	1.B.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status.	2.B.1 All directors and at least fifty percent (50%) of teaching staff shall complete “intro to the 40 Developmental Assets” training. 2.B.2 All directors and, and fifty percent (50%) of the teaching staff shall complete an ERS or YPQI training. 2.B.3 The director and

		kitchen manager (if applicable) shall participate in training on nutrition for school age children/youth, annually. 2.B.4 The director shall complete training on developmentally appropriate physical activities for children/youth.
C. Learning Environment / Environment Assessment	1.C.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional or Regular status. 1.C.2 The facility may have a SACERS or a PQA review completed by a reliable assessor.	2.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 3.00 or higher on the SACERS or 3.00 or higher on the PQA.	3.C.1 Facility shall score an average of 4.00 or higher on the SACERS or 3.75 or higher on the PQA. 3.C.2 Staff shall maintain a portfolio for each participant.	4.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.00 or higher on the SACERS or 4.00 or higher on the PQA.	5.C.1 The facility shall score an average of 5.50 or higher on the SACERS or 4.25 or higher on the PQA.	6.C.1 The staff/participant ratio shall be 1:20. 6.C.2 The facility shall score an average of 6.00 or higher on the SACERS or 4.50 or higher on the PQA.

D. Child/Youth Health and Development	1.D.1 The facility has a license in New Provisional Regular status.	2.D.1 The facility shall document the distribution of ARKids First information to families of uninsured participants. 2.D.2 The facility shall share families information regarding child or youth development, stages of development, and children’s health.	3.D.1 The facility shall share information on nutrition and physical activity for school age children with families.

Authority. Arkansas Code § 20-78-206.