D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1216
Recognizing that learning begins from the earliest age, OSSE now uses child development as an umbrella term that includes child care. Therefore, references to child development facilities in this section are used to refer to facilities that deliver child care and other uses relating to child development.
1216.1 According to 2017 population estimates, 45,065 children under the age of five reside in Washington, DC. OSSE reports that, in 2017, the District had 378 licensed child development facilities (258 centers and 120 homes), all of them run by private operators that were for-profit, nonprofit, or faith-based. The licensed capacity in these child development facilities for children birth to age five is 19,067; the licensed capacity for infants and toddlers (36 months and younger) is only 7,962, with approximately 28,203 infants and toddlers living in Washington, DC. However, this capacity only meets about 28 percent of residents’ needs, and does not include the needs of families outside of DC who work in the District and seek or use District child care programs.
1216.2 Washington, DC outranks all other states in access to PK programs, with an estimated 70 percent of three-year-olds and 84 percent of four-year-olds enrolled. Of the estimated 16,753 three- and four-year-old children in the District, 12,910 were enrolled in public PK programs in FY16. PK services are provided at 156 sites, and of these sites, 77 are DCPS, 59 are public charter schools, and 20 are child development facilities. The majority of students are served in DCPS or public charter schools. These facilities and programs collectively are likely to contribute to increased employment of women in Washington, DC.
1216.3 As a result of funding for the PK Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2008, as well as other quality of life improvements, more families are choosing to raise their families in the District, resulting in an increased demand for child development facilities that serve children six weeks to three years of age.
1216.4 The District is also focused on expanding the use of District-owned facilities by private child development facility operators who are expanding the availability of infant and toddler care to District residents. Additionally, as of 2017, OSSE is partnering with a private philanthropic partner to increase the supply of high-quality seats in Wards 7 and 8 by 750 over the next five years.
Provide incentives for new and rehabilitated residential and commercial developments to set aside on-site space for child development facilities.
Allow new and expanded child development facilities and uses in all residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas and in community and District-owned facilities to provide access to affordable, quality child development facilities throughout the District. Locations should be accessible to public transit, when possible.
Recognize the importance of early childhood education and related programs to the well-being of children and youth and support the development of appropriate facilities for these programs.
Encourage major institutional employers, including District government agencies, to provide on-site child development facilities for children of employees and encourage the opportunity to expand education, training, and research for human development professionals.
Support existing and new programs that help continuing education and certification of child development center professionals.
Explore collaborations with other District agencies, educational and business partners that can help to increase the availability of quality early childhood education, child development, after-school, and pre-school programs for all residents, especially low- and middle-income households, and families of children with disabilities.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan
Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).