1. (1) An individual or entity that provides child care and early learning services for a group of children, birth through 12 years of age, must be licensed by the department, pursuant to RCW 43.216.295, unless exempt under RCW 43.216.010(2) and WAC 110-300-0025.

2. (2) The department must not license a department employee or a member of the employee's household if the employee is involved directly, or in an administrative or supervisory capacity in the:

   1. (a) Licensing process;
   2. (b) Placement of a child in a licensed early learning program; or
   3. (c) Authorization of payment for the child in care.

3. (3) A license is required when an individual provides child care and early learning services in their family home:

   1. (a) Outside the child's home on a regular and ongoing basis for one or more children not related to the licensee; or

   2. (b) For preschool age children for more than four hours a day.

      As used in this chapter, "not related" means not any of the relatives listed in RCW 43.216.010 (2)(a).

4. (4) The department may license a center located in a private family residence when the portion of the residence accessible to children is:

   1. (a) Used exclusively for children during the center's operating hours or when children are in care; or
   2. (b) Separate from the family living quarters.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.020. WSR 24-19-056, s 110-300-0010, filed 9/13/24, effective 10/14/24. WSR 18-15-001, recodified as § 110-300-0010, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070, 43.215.201 and chapter 42.56 RCW. WSR 18-14-079, § 170-300-0010, filed 6/30/18, effective 8/1/19.]