Alaska

Staff-child ratios (centers)

Requirements

Annual training

At least 24 hours of annual training relevant to child care and development for caregivers and administrators (12 hours for part-time caregivers working 15 hours/week or less), including at least one hour on health and safety topics; each caregiver must hold valid pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR certification.

Lead teacher

Caregivers must be responsible individuals of reputable character who pass background checks and demonstrate core caregiving competencies (positive guidance, age-appropriate learning experiences, communication with parents); 7 AAC 57.310 does not require a specific degree or credential for center caregivers.

Director

The administrator must be at least 21 and document one of: a SEED career ladder level 7+ certificate, at least 12 semester hours in early childhood/child development (3 may be in management), a current CDA, a Montessori certificate, a school-age care certificate/child & youth care credential, or another department-approved ECE credential; those without a relevant bachelor's degree need 3 semester hours of college credit every two years.

Worth knowing

7 AAC 57.505 also defines a kindergartner band (5 and 6 years): 1:14, maximum group 28. Mixed groups of infants/toddlers/preschoolers follow the youngest child's ratio. Ratios last amended 2016 (Register 218).

Compliance

Background checks

Before licensure, a fingerprint-based criminal history check (Alaska DPS and FBI) through the State of Alaska Background Check Program must be passed by all individuals age 16+ associated with the facility; barrier crimes and conditions are set under AS 47.05.300–.390 and 7 AAC 10.900–.990.

Mandated reporting

Child care providers — including day care providers and paid staff — are mandatory reporters under AS 47.17.020 and must immediately report suspected abuse or neglect to the Office of Children's Services (1-800-478-4444); abuse/neglect reporting is also a required pre-licensing training topic.

First aid & CPR

Providers must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification as part of licensing requirements; certifications must be kept current while operating.

Health & safety training

Applicants must complete required pre-licensing health and safety training covering the CCDBG topics: child growth and development, safe sleep/SIDS prevention, infectious disease prevention, emergency preparedness, child abuse/neglect prevention and reporting, child passenger safety, medication administration, building/premises safety, hazardous materials, and food handling.

Operations

Inspections

Licensing includes an on-site pre-licensing health and safety inspection of all indoor and outdoor premises (with observation of caregiver-child interactions); once licensed, providers receive both announced and unannounced inspections during operating hours, and CCPO licensing specialists investigate complaints and reports of unlicensed care.

Worth knowing: Detailed supervision rules, record-keeping requirements, and specific training-hour counts live in 7 AAC 57, which could not be retrieved from an official state server this round (the legacy health.alaska.gov regulations pages now 404 after a site migration) — those two fields are null rather than approximated. The 2020 CCPO licensing brochure remains the state's published summary; Anchorage providers follow Municipality of Anchorage code in addition.

Family & home child care

Alaska Administrative Code, 7 AAC 57 (Child Care Facilities Licensing), esp. 7 AAC 57.505 (ratios/capacity) and 7 AAC 57.350 (training)

Child Care Home

At least one caregiver (who may also be the administrator) caring for not more than a total of 8 children younger than 13, including the caregiver's own children younger than 13. Of the 8, no more than 3 may be younger than 30 months and no more than 2 may be nonambulatory.No more than 3 of the 8 children may be younger than 30 months; no more than 2 may be nonambulatory.

Child Care Group Home

At least 2 caregivers (one must be the administrator) caring for not more than a total of 12 children younger than 13, including the caregivers' own children. One caregiver may staff the home on a day when 8 or fewer children are present (no more than 3 under 30 months, no more than 2 nonambulatory); other single-caregiver exceptions exist for school-age-only groups and for experienced providers with up to 10 children none under 30 months.No more than 5 of the 12 children may be younger than 30 months; no more than 4 may be nonambulatory.

Provider training

Each administrator and caregiver must receive at least 24 hours of annual training relevant to child care and development, including at least 1 hour on a health and safety topic; part-time caregivers (15 hours/week or less) need at least 12 hours annually. Initial orientation and current first aid/CPR are also required (7 AAC 57.350).

Worth knowing

The threshold below which home care is exempt from licensing (care for a small number of children) was not confirmed from the sources fetched; verify with the Child Care Program Office before relying on an exemption. Alaska counts the caregiver's own children under 13 in capacity for both categories.