1. (1) "Director" means the person designated as the person responsible for the daily operation of a child care facility. A director is also responsible for implementing appropriate child development principles and knowledge of family relationships in providing daily care to the children cared for in the facility.
2. (2) "Lead teacher" means the lead staff person in charge of a child or group of children who implements facility activities.
3. (3) "On-the-job training" is training provided by the director or designee, during business hours, to educate new staff members on facility and provider-specific policies, procedures, and department requirements pertaining to their role.
4. (4) "Orientation training" means initial required training to educate new staff.
5. (5) "Practitioner Registry" is a statewide registry that is used to help develop and track a knowledgeable and skilled child care workforce based on an individual's verified professional achievements.
6. (6) "Site director" means the person who plans and implements child care services at one site of a multi-site program under the oversight of the director.
7. (7) "Staff" refers to all persons who work or substitute in a child care facility and count in the child-to-staff ratio during hours when children are or may be present, excluding licensees or registration holders.
8. (8) "Substitute" means any person not regularly employed by a child care provider who temporarily takes the place of an approved staff person, other than the director.
9. (9) "Teacher" means a program staff member who carries out assigned caregiving and teaching tasks under the guidance and oversight of a lead teacher or program director.
10. (10) "Trainee" means a staff member who has been approved to work in a child care facility based on initial criteria but has not yet completed required training.

Authorizing statute(s): 52-2-704, 53-4-212, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-704, 52-2-713, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-735, 52-2-736, 53-2-201, 53-4-211, 53-4-212, 53-4-611, MCA

History: NEW, 2025 MAR, 37-1044, Eff. 5/1/25.