Provider Resources
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Texas
May a Parent Stop You From Holding Birthday Parties?
http://tomcopelandblog.com/may-parent-stop-holding-birthday-parties
Is it Illegal to Discriminate Against Parents?
http://tomcopelandblog.com/illegal-discriminate-parents-2
Can Parents Deduct Toys Given to You as a Charitable Contribution?
http://tomcopelandblog.com/can-parents-deduct-toys-give-charitable-contribution
How to Find, Choose and Work with a Tax Professional
http://tomcopelandblog.com/find-choose-work-tax-professional
Questions and Answers About the Americans with Disabilities Act
http://tomcopelandblog.com/questions-answers-americans-disabilities-act
Child Care Licensing News
If you have questions about any of the changes you will want to contact your home’s Licensing representative for assistance. If you do not know who your representative is, then you may contact a Licensing office near you – Local Child Care Licensing Offices.
Provider Documents
Minimum Standards for Child Care Homes
Minimum Standards – Updated September 2024
Water Safety
- Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death among infants, toddlers, and young children.
- It takes only a few minutes for a child to drown, and it is a misconception that a child will make a lot of noise when struggling in the water. The opposite is often true—the child may slip silently under water.
- Never leave children alone around water whether it is in a pool, wading pool, drainage ditch, creek, pond, or lake.
- Weak and non-swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Children who cannot swim should be within arm’s reach of a caregiver.
- Don’t assume young children will use good judgment and caution around water.
- Secure access to swimming pools. Use fences, self-closing and latching gates, and water surface alarms.
- Make sure small children cannot leave the operation/house through pet doors or unlocked doors to access pools or hot tubs.
Transportation Safety
- Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.
- Walk and check the inside of the vehicle, both in and under each seat.
- Have a second person check the vehicle.
- Have a visual reminder such as a sticker, keychain, or hangtag that helps you do the walkthrough.
- Use the list of children to verify each child by name.
- Always lock the vehicle and put the keys out of reach of children.
- Use reminders that a child is in the vehicle. Leave something you need in the back seat, like your shoe or phone or leave a stuffed animal or toy in the front seat.
- Talk to children about the dangers of playing around cars and watch them closely when they’re around cars.
- If you ever see a child left alone in a vehicle, call 9-1-1 right away.