All programs must comply with federal regulations, including the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the requirements set forth in the Head Start Act of 2007, and other federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local requirements within their jurisdiction.
Head Start Program Performance Standards
The HSPPS provide a blueprint for how programs provide quality, comprehensive early learning services for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The HSPPS are divided into five parts:
- Part 1301—Program Governance
- Part 1302—Program Operations
- Part 1303—Financial and Administrative Requirements
- Part 1304—Federal Administrative Procedures
- Part 1305—Definitions
The standards at Health Program Services, 45 CFR §1302 Subpart D are the regulations that apply directly to the provision of health services.
State, Tribal, Territorial, and Local Requirements
The National Database of Child Care Licensing Regulations is a tool for finding and searching state and territorial information about child care licensing regulations, agency policies, and requirements for licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes.
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and the Child Care and Development Fund Program Final Rule
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 and the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program Final Rule (2016) require states and territories to have health and safety requirements for all providers that receive payments from the CCDF subsidy program. Head Start programs that use CCDF funding to supplement comprehensive services to children that qualify for both programs can refer to a series of briefs about health and safety topics. Each brief provides:
- Links to relevant Caring for Our Children standards
- Data from the 2017 Child Care Licensing Study about licensing requirements for child care centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia
- Examples of regulatory requirements for licensed and license-exempt providers that represent a range of approaches taken by states
- Additional resources and tools
Caring for Our Children
Caring for Our Children (CFOC) is a comprehensive collection of national standards that represent best practices, based on evidence, expertise, and experience, for quality health and safety policies and practices in early care and education settings. Although not mandated for Head Start programs, they can be used along with the HSPPS and applicable state, tribal, territorial, and local requirements when developing health policies and procedures.
Last Updated: April 13, 2023