Regulatory compliance

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is our licensing agency. All policies and procedures listed in this handbook comply with EEC regulations. A copy of the regulations is available from Administration. Specific regulations all educators must be aware of and follow include:

Postings

EEC requires us to post the following information in an area easily visible to parents, educators, and visitors:

• the current license
• emergency information by each phone
• a list of all emergency or life-saving medications (including EpiPens, inhalers, and anti-seizure medications), specifying which children they belong to, and a list of allergies and/or other emergency medical information for each child, in a manner that protects the privacy of each child
• the location of the health care policy and the location of the first aid kit
• emergency and evacuation procedures next to each exit
• diapering and toilet training procedures in diapering areas

First Circle provides classrooms the following required postings:

• Five Rights of Medication
• Nut-free program
• Emergency Procedures
• Handwashing procedures by each sink
• Cleaning/Sanitizing/Disinfecting Instructions
• CPR instructions
• Exclusions from Care
• Annual Themes

Ratios

DURING THE FIRST AND FINAL 2 HOURS OF THE PROGRAM DAY

ALL TIMES OTHER THAN FIRST/LAST 2 HOURS OF THE DAY

Qualifications

Work qualifications are based on education and previous work experience.

Supervision of children

According to EEC regulations, educators must supervise children at all times, including indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities.

• Children younger than 6 months at the time of enrollment must be under direct visual supervision at all times, including while napping, during the first 6 weeks in care.
• Educators must be:
  • aware of children’s activities
  • positioned to see and/or hear children in their care
  • close enough to children to intervene quickly when necessary

• Educators must not engage in any activities that could divert their attention from supervising the children.
• In programs serving infants and toddlers, educators must not leave a child unattended in an infant seat, on a changing table, or on any other surface that could result in a fall.
• No child may be outdoors without adult supervision.

Interactions/curriculum

The following requirements apply to all programs:

• Educators must respond to children’s individual needs and support the development of self-esteem, self-expression, autonomy, social competence, and school readiness.
• Educators must nurture and respond to children by:
  • frequently expressing warmth by holding babies, having conversations, joint laughter, eye contact, smiles, and communicating at children’s eye level
  • providing attentive, consistent, comforting, and culturally sensitive care
  • being consistent and predictable in their physical and emotional care of children, and when implementing program rules and expectations
  • recognizing signs of stress in children’s behavior and responding with stress-reducing activities
• Educators must support children in the development of self-esteem, independence, and self-regulation by:
  • demonstrating courtesy and respect
  • encouraging expression of both positive and negative emotions
  • encouraging their efforts, work, and accomplishments
  • assuring all children have equal opportunities to take part in all activities and use all materials
  • offering opportunities for children to make choices and decisions
• Educators must support children in the development of social competence by:
  • promoting language use by talking to and with children frequently
  • encouraging children to share experiences and ideas, and to listen, help, and support each other
  • modeling cooperation, problem-solving strategies, and responsible behavior
  • teaching social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and working together
  • coaching children to resolve conflicts, problem-solve, and make decisions
  • helping children to:
    • understand and respect people different from themselves
    • respect each other’s possessions and work
    • learn effective ways to deal with bullying, teasing, or other forms of intolerance
• Educators must guide children in a positive and consistent way by:
  • encouraging self-control, recognizing and reinforcing children’s appropriate behaviors, having reasonable and positive expectations, setting clear and consistent limits, and redirecting
  • helping children learn social, communication, and emotional regulation skills they can use in place of challenging behaviors
  • using environmental modifications, activity modifications, adult or peer support, and other teaching strategies to encourage appropriate behavior and prevent challenging behaviors
  • intervening quickly when children are physically aggressive and helping them develop more positive strategies for resolving conflict
  • explaining rules and procedures and the reasons for them to children, and where appropriate and feasible, allowing children to participate in the establishment of program rules, policies, and procedures
  • discussing behavior management techniques among staff to promote consistency
• Educators must have a method of communicating effectively with each child.
• Educators must guide children with the goal of maximizing growth and development, while protecting the group and the individuals within it.

What to do when EEC arrives

We have a good working relationship with our licensors because they can count on us to always follow regulations. Our licensor can visit unannounced any time for spot checks or to follow up on an injury or complaint. When our licensor arrives, there is no reason to be anxious. Please double check your cabinets are locked, attendance sheets are in order, and you have an accurate headcount.