EEC Guidelines for Child Care Centers

According to Harvard University's Office of Work & Family, each child care facility in the U.S. must be licensed by a state Early Education & Care (EEC), or other relevant agency. Some child care providers are exempt from state licensure.

Requirements

• An EEC department has guidelines for different age groups of children, Harvard University explains preschool age children are regularly divided into age appropriate groups in child care facilities. Guidelines provided by an EEC regard the number of qualified staff per group of children, group size and staff qualifications.

Aim

• The aim of licensing and regulating child care providers is to ensure that all child care facilities give the children in their care and their parents the same high standard of care, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education.

Regulations

• When applying for licensure, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education reports buildings must be inspected for safety, with buildings built before 1978 required to be inspected for lead paint. Included in regulations are requirements the all staff members must complete criminal background checks, a statement of ownership with financial plans must be published and a variety of age appropriate activities must be provided.