Library: Policy

340:110-1-8.6. Director, personnel, and primary caregiver qualification criteria

Revised 6-1-22

(a) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star master teacher qualifications. Required criteria include:

(1) a current Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate of Level 4 or higher;

(2) completed training in Oklahoma's Early Learning Guidelines (ELG); however, new master teachers or probationary master teachers hired or assuming the responsibilities after certification are trained within 90-calendar days; and

(3) employment on-site, full-time; however, out-of-school time master teachers are on-site at least 50 percent of weekly-operating hours. • 1

(b) Master teacher ratio for two-, three-, four-, and five-star centers. There is a full-time master teacher for every:

(1) 50 children of the licensed capacity for two-star centers;

(2) 40 children of the licensed capacity for three-star centers;

(3) 30 children of the licensed capacity for four-star centers; or

(4) 20 children of the licensed capacity for five-star centers.

(c) Master teacher ratio for two-, three-, four-, and five-star programs licensed as out-of-school time programs and day camps. There is a full-time master teacher for every:

(1) 60 children of the licensed capacity for two-star out-of-school time programs and day camps;

(2) 50 children of the licensed capacity for three-star out-of-school time programs and day camps;

(3) 40 children of the licensed capacity for four-star out-of-school time programs and day camps; or

(4) 30 children of the licensed capacity for five-star out-of-school time programs and day camps.

(d) Additional master teacher requirements for two-, three-, four- and five-star centers. An individual is not counted as a master teacher, probationary master teacher, or primary caregiver in more than one program, unless the scheduled hours of employment in each program do not overlap at any given time.

(1) When an individual replaces a master teacher and does not meet educational qualifications, refer to Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-1-8.3 (g)(3). • 2

(2) When approved, a probationary master teacher also completes training in ELG in (a)(2) of this Section.

(e) Director as master teacher. The director may be counted as a master teacher when meeting master teacher qualifications in (a) of this Section, regardless of the program's licensed capacity.

(f) Master teacher responsibilities. Master teachers are responsible for:

(1) direct care of children; and

(2) supporting other teaching personnel and program management with:

(A) planning and implementing lesson plans;

(B) classroom arrangement;

(D) providing program development and evaluation feedback.

(g) Director responsibilities. An individual is not counted as director in more than one program.

(h) Three-, four-, and five-star primary caregiver qualifications. Required criteria include:

(1) a current OPDL certificate of Level 4 or higher;

(2) completed training in ELG; however, new primary caregivers hired or assuming the responsibilities after certification are trained within 90-calendar days; and

(3) employment on-site, full-time. • 3

(i) Additional primary caregiver requirements for two-, three-, four-, and five-star homes. An individual is not counted as a primary caregiver, master teacher, or probationary master teacher in more than one program, unless the scheduled hours of employment in each program do not overlap at any given time.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:110-1-8.6

Revised 6-1-22

1. (a) Employment on a full-time basis is generally 30 hours per week during a program's operating hours. However, full-time employment is calculated at 50 percent of the weekly operating hours for part-day and out-of-school time programs.

(b) In collaborations between Head Start, public schools, or child care programs, personnel is counted as a master teacher when the individual:

(1) meets employment outlined in (a) of this Instruction;

(2) has personnel records on file; and

(3) fills the role of master teacher, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-1-8.6(d).

2. Licensing staff reviews the identified educational goals on Form 07LC031E, Probationary Master Teacher Agreement.

(1) When the first year probationary educational goals identified are:

(A) not met, Licensing staff may consult with supervisor regarding:

(i) second probationary year approval; and

(ii) master teacher non-compliance documentation and appropriate action; or

(B) met, Licensing staff extends the probationary period for a second year.

(2) When the second probationary year educational goals identified on Form 07LC031E are not met, Licensing staff consults with the supervisor and program operator for acceptable plans of correction and extension of time to comply, per two and three star participation.

3. Full-time employment at family child care homes is calculated at 80 percent of weekly-operating hours.