Section 1596.955.

(a) The department shall develop guidelines and procedures to permit licensed child day care centers serving preschool age children to create a special program component for children between the ages of 18 months and 30 months. This optional toddler program shall be subject to the following basic conditions:

(1) An amended application is submitted to and approved by the department.

(2) No child shall be placed in the preschool program before the age of 30 months without parental permission. A child who is more than 30 months of age may participate in the toddler program with parental permission.

(3) Parents give permission for the placement of their children in the toddler program.

(4) A ratio of six children to each teacher is maintained for all children in attendance at the toddler program. An aide who is participating in on-the-job training may be substituted for a teacher when directly supervised by a fully qualified teacher.

(5) The maximum group size, with two teachers, or one fully qualified teacher and one aide, does not exceed 12 toddlers.

(6) The toddler program is conducted in areas separate from those used by older or younger children. Plans to alternate use of outdoor play space may be approved to achieve separation.

(7) All other preschool regulations are complied with.

(b) The toddler program shall be considered an extension of the preschool license, without the need for a separate license.

(c) The department shall immediately prepare proposed regulations for public hearing which would consider the foregoing basic conditions as well as any additional health and safety safeguards deemed necessary for this age group.

(d) The guidelines in subdivision (a) shall remain in force and effect only until regulations implementing this section are adopted by the department.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 193, Sec. 75. Effective January 1, 2005.)