Parent Handbook - MWR Fort Leonard Wood

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
We conduct extensive background checks on all CYS staff. The majority of these checks are
conducted prior to employment. All staff, working directly with children receives specialized
training in Child and Youth development and other related topics. TACS are professional
educators hired by CYS who conduct all training. The training starts before the staff member
enters the facility and is continued throughout their employment. Training topics include First
Aid, Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Administering Medication, Nutrition, Child
Growth and Development, Child and Youth Activities, Child Guidance and Safety, and many
other topics related to childcare issues.
We are extremely fortunate that many of our staff, besides being caring and nurturing, are
interested in professional development. Some of our direct care staff are taking college courses
in their field. Others have received, or are pursuing, the Child Development Associate
Credential or an Army School Age Credential. Both credentials are nationally recognized and
are only given to individuals who have demonstrated competency with children/youth.
If you have any concerns or suggestions, bring them to the attention of the CYS Chief.
Parental involvement is a critical element in a successful program. We need your ideas to
continue to improve our program and services.
STAFF TO CHILD/YOUTH RATIOS
Infants/six weeks to 12 months
Pretoddlers/13 months to 24 months
Toddlers/25 months to 36 months
Preschoolers/three years to five years
Kindergartners/five years to six years
School Age/six years to 10 years
Middle School/11 years to 12 years
Teens /13 years to 18 years
one adult to four infants
one adult to five pre-toddlers
one adult to seven toddlers
one adult to 10 preschoolers
one adult to 12 kindergartners
one adult to 15 school age children
one adult to 15 middle school youth
one adult to 15 teens
FCC PROVIDERS TO CHILD/YOUTH RATIOS
Infants/four weeks to 24 months
Toddlers/25 months to 36 months
Preschool/Kindergartners/three years to Kindergarten
School Age/first grade and through twelve years
Infant/Toddler certified homes may not exceed a ratio of 3 children to one provider. All
children must be under three years of age.
Multi-age certified homes may not exceed a ratio of six children to one provider. Of those six
children no more than two may be under two years of age.
The FCC provider’s own children under the age of eight years will count in the ratio for
multi-age and infant homes.
School age certified homes may not exceed a ratio of eight children to one provider. Each of
the children must be enrolled in elementary school. The FCC provider’s own children under the
age of 12 will count in the ratio.
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