Babysitting Providers

(1) Providers utilized by the Department to provide out-of-home babysitting services shall comply with OFC regulations for licensure. Babysitters providing services in the child(ren)'s home need not be registered, licensed, or approved by the Office for Child Care Services (OCCS); however, such babysitters must meet the standards of the Department, as established from time to time. (2) Babysitters shall not provide services for more than six children at a time, including the babysitter's own children (if any). No more than two children under two years of age shall receive babysitting services at the same time from the same babysitter unless the babysitter is aided by an approved assistant. (3) In-home babysitters shall be at least 16 years of age. (4) If, in the judgment of the Department, a relative or other alternative individual becomes available as a babysitter, babysitting services shall be terminated. (5) No approval for payment shall be given to relatives or other adults living in the home of the family requesting babysitting services. No parent shall be approved for babysitting services to his or her child or children even if the parent is not living in the home of the child or children. Other relatives approved to provide babysitting who are living outside the home where care is to be provided must comply with 110 CMR 7.045(1) through (3).