This letter transmits revisions to a Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) rule and introduces new forms to assist providers participating in SUTQ. These revisions will go into effect on August 1, 2010.

Rule 5101:2-17-01 "Application and Eligibility for Step Up to Quality (SUTQ)" is being amended to make the following revisions to appendix B:

Ratio - Group Size Step 3 - changing the proposed group size requirement for infant rooms to be no more than 8 children. The requirement for maximum group size for infants will be no more than 10 children.

Staff Education and Qualifications - Step 3 - added that the administrator must have a bachelor's degree (BA) in Early Childhood Education, or a related field or Career Pathways Level 4. The requirement that 100% of classrooms have an assistant teacher with Child Development Credential (CDA) or Career Pathways Level 2 has been changed. The requirement now is that 50% of classrooms have an assistant teacher with a CDA or Career Pathways Level 2.

Administrative Practices - Steps 1 & 2 - clarified language and made sure that all three steps use consistent language, now require completion of a Quality Improvement Plan and removed language for a program action plan.

Early Learning - Step 1 - added two school age documents to the list of required documents that programs must have.

Also, added Step 2 language into Step 3 to clarify that the requirements also pertain to Step 3 programs.

JFS 01548 "Specialized Training Log for Step Up to Quality Programs" is a new form to assist programs in tracking staff professional development.

JFS 01574 "Step Up to Quality Pre-requisite Training Registry Submission Request" is a new form programs must complete and submit for prerequisite training certificates to Professional Development Registry.

JFS 01575 "Corrective Action Plan for Serious Risk Noncompliance(s) in Step Up to Quality Programs" is a new form for programs to submit with their corrective action steps in response to a rating warning or suspension when a Step Up To Quality Star Rated program has a serious risk non-compliance finding during a licensing inspection or verification visit.

JFS 01576 "Guidance Document for Step Up To Quality" is a publication that contains procedures and guidance for programs to utilize when participating in SUTQ. This document can be found on the www.stepuptoquality.org website.

The electronic version of the Child Care Center Manual is located at: http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov. The manual contains all rules, transmittal letters and procedure letters.

Please contact the Help Desk for the Office for Children and Families at 1-866-886-3537, option 4 if you have any questions.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from and inserted into the Child Care Manual (CCM).