Differential Licensing, also referred to as differential monitoring, is one of the methods states are utilizing in the licensing and monitoring of child care providers. The goal of differential licensing is to target resources based on a provider's compliance history and level of risk.
How does it work?
Licensors investigate provider's information and history of non-compliances, investigations, and complaints to decide whether a program is eligibel for Differential Licensing:
- If a program is eligible, the licensor will conduct an abbreviated visit and review key indicators of risk of harm to children
- If a program is ineligible , the licensor will conduct a comprehensive visit or targeted look at areas of non-compliance
Licensing visit lifecycle
The Differential Licensing Lifecycle refers to the sequence of visits conducted by licensors for providers.
The Differential Licensing Cycle is a 6-year cycle, however educators will renew licenses every 3 years as they have in the past. Ever other renewal could potentially be done with the Enhanced Monitoring Tool, which means the Full Review Tool will be used at least once every 6 years (hence the 6-year cycle). All educators will receive annual visits and renew their license every 3 years, however the tools used to do so may differ, as explained in the following sections. The visit “type” will remain the same.
Visit types and associated tools
There are 5 visit types and 3 sets of tools that are associated for Placement agencies:
Visit type |
Tool |
|
Pre - Licensing Visit First licensing visit for new applicants. Review of full licensing regulations. |
Pre-Licensing Tool |
|
Progress Visit Conducted after initial license issuance |
Progress Tool |
|
Full Licensing Review Review full licensing regulations |
FCC Renewal Visit Tool |
|
Monitoring Visit Review key Indicators of health and safety. Shortest, most targeted visit for providers with good compliance history/ in “good standing” |
Monitoring Tool |
|
Enhanced Monitoring Visit Review a broader set of administrative regulations than Key Indicators, but shorter than the full licensing tool. Shorter targeted visit for educators with good compliance history/ in “good standing” |
Enhanced Monitoring Tool |
Tools
- Monitoring Tool: Key Indicators of probability or risk of harm or death to a child.
- Enhanced Monitoring Tool: Review of educator administration and Key Indicators of probability or risk of harm or death of a child.
- Pre-Licensing Tool & Renewal Visit Tool: Comprehensive list of Family Child Care regulations.