Powers and Duties of the Department

The Department shall, pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Adjudication Law, adopt minimum standards for licensing. Such standards shall be applicable to all child care facilities including those operated by the Department and shall pertain to the following:

(a)The operation and conduct of the facility and responsibility it assumes for child care;

(b)The character, suitability and qualifications of the applicant and other persons directly responsible for the care and welfare of children served;

(c)The general financial ability and competence of the applicant to provide necessary care for children and to maintain prescribed standards;

(d)The number of individuals or staff required to insure adequate supervision and care of the children received;

(e)The appropriateness, safety, cleanliness and general adequacy of the premises, including maintenance of adequate fire prevention and health standards in conformance to existing Guam laws to provide for the physical comfort, care and well-being of children received;

(f)Provisions for food, clothing, educational opportunities that promote learning and development in the cognitive, social, emotional, language, creative, and physical areas and that are developmentally appropriate, programs, equipment and individual supplies to assure the healthy physical, mental and spiritual development of children served;

(g)Provisions to safeguard the legal rights of children served;

(h)Maintenance of records pertaining to the admission, progress, health and termination of care of children;

(i)Filing of records with the Department;

(j)Discipline of children;

(k)Protection and fostering of the particular religious faith of the children served.