1. (1) Relief Nursery services must include therapeutic early childhood programs, home visiting, and parent education and support.

2. (2) A therapeutic early childhood program must include the following:

   1. (a) Therapeutic classrooms;
   2. (b) Focused interventions for children with emotional, social and behavioral concerns or delays;
   3. (c) Principles and guidelines for developmentally appropriate practices;
   4. (d) Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development supports;
   5. (e) Principles and guidelines for culturally responsive supports appropriate to the unique needs of the child and family; and
   6. (f) Home visits by the child's classroom teacher conducted as follows:

   7. (i) At least monthly for children attending class twice a week; and

      1. (ii) Weekly for children attending class once per week, with a duration of 1 to 2 hours.

3. (3) Minimum Hours. A Relief Nursery must operate one or more therapeutic classrooms with the following time periods:

   1. (a) A minimum of three hours per week for infants up to 24 months of age; and
   2. (b) A minimum of six hours per week for children aged 24 months and older.

4. (4) Class Size and Ratios. A Relief Nursery must provide a minimum of three adults, at least two of whom must be meet the qualifications in accordance with 414-600-0030 (2) for each class of:

   1. (a) Six children, not less than 6 weeks but less than to 24 months of age;
   2. (b) Eight children, not less than 24 months but less than 36 months of age; and
   3. (c) Eleven children, 36 months to 5 years of age.
5. (5) Home visiting must be offered in all Relief Nursery program services.
6. (6) Parent Education and Support. All parents served by a Relief Nursery must be offered parenting education, through home visiting, classes or groups, using culturally appropriate and evidence-based curriculum that is adapted to and appropriate to the needs of the family.
7. (7) Nutritious Meals and Snacks. During program hours, a Relief Nursery must provide nutritious snacks and meals following United States Department of Agriculture standards for nutrition.
8. (8) Ongoing Child Screenings and Assessments. Relief Nurseries shall regularly screen and assess all children for appropriate development using research-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate developmental screening.
9. (9) Basic Needs Support and Services. Relief Nurseries shall provide resource referral, short- and long-term problem solving, and emergency food and clothing to children and families served by the Relief Nursery, as those supports and services become available.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 326.425(7)

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 417.788 & ORS 417.786

History

DELC 114-2023, minor correction filed 11/27/2023, effective 11/27/2023
ELD 2-2018, adopt filed 02/07/2018, effective 02/07/2018