Starting a church daycare in indiana

[I LOVE KIDS]

I live in Indianapolis, Indiana a would like some information on starting a church daycare center. If anyone could help me...I heard the regulations were different for a center and a church center wasnt sure if that was correct...thanks

[michael]

Child Care Ministries in Indiana are currently only required to be registered, regardless of the number of children enrolled or the type of physical structure the program utilizes. Child care programs operated by a religious organization with a 501(c) 3 status are exempt from licensing requirements for child care centers. Less than 25 % of the National Standards are included in the registration requirements for child care ministries in Indiana. The major areas of agreement are those governed by OSHA, IOSHA and IDEM regulations; blood borne pathogen education and procedures and hand washing practices.

Only 32% of the National Standards for Building and Premises: Equipment, Safety and Practices are addressed through the registration process. These National Standards address the environmental conditions inside and outside the facility. Failure to regulate heating and ventilation, play areas and equipment, building exits, and toxic substances poses a serious health risk to children cared for in these settings. Less than 10% of the National Standards in the area of Promoting Healthy Development: Policies/ Practices/ and Staff Training are met at a level of 3 or above for registered child care ministries in Indiana. The critical areas not addressed by registration include child:staff ratio, group size, staff health, staff qualifications, staff education, developmentally appropriate practices, developmentally appropriate nutrition practices, and medication administration and storage. These standards are core for the provision of a safe and healthy environment. None of the National Standards are addressed at a level of 3 or greater in three areas: Program: Activities for Healthy Development, Children with Special Needs, and Management Plan and Statement of Services. In reality, few of the National Standards are included in any way in the registration requirements for child care ministries in Indiana. The Licensing Division of the Bureau of Child Development in Indiana does offer the opportunity for child care ministries to apply for up to four certificates beyond registration. The certificates are in the following areas: Health, Safety, Nutrition, and Infant/Toddler. These certificates were modeled after some of the child care center requirements. However, meeting the requirements of all four certificates does not significantly affect the number of National Standards addressed at a 3 or higher level.

[I LOVE KIDS]

Thank you so much for the information