Arizona Addendum
Arizona Employee Addendum
This addendum is intended for Arizona based employees only.
GBA Employee Manual
Arizona Employee Addendum
Earned Paid Sick Time (EPST)
Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Under A.R.S. § 23-372, the annual usage cap is 40 hours (5 days) for GBA locations with 15 or more employees, and 24 hours (3 days) for GBA locations with fewer than 15 employees. Ask your Center Director which cap applies to your location.
Accrual will begin immediately upon employment; however Great Beginnings Academy requires a 90-day waiting period prior to using any EPST.
Unused, accrued time carries over to the next year, up to whichever annual cap applies to your location (40 hours, or 24 hours for locations with fewer than 15 employees).
Employees must make a reasonable effort to notify employers of foreseeable leave. Employees must request use of paid sick time leave through oral or written request. Sick time is paid at the same hourly rate and with the same benefits as regular work hours.
Documentation may be required for your EPST after 3 consecutive days of absence.
Required Documentation
All Arizona staff are required to complete the Arizona Department of Health Services “Tuberculosis Symptom & Risk Factor Screening Tool for Child Care Staff and Volunteers,” consistent with A.A.C. R9-5-301(F) (centers) and R9-5-713(F) (group homes).
Fingerprint Clearance Card
All Arizona child care employees and volunteers must hold a valid Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) before their first day of work, per A.R.S. § 36-883.02 and § 41-1758.07. The current fee is $67.00 ($65.00 for qualifying volunteers), non-refundable, payable through the DPS Public Services Portal (psp.azdps.gov). The card is valid for 6 years; submit your renewal application approximately 3 months before it expires.
Staff Training & Professional Development
The company supports and encourages the professional growth and development of each of their employees and provides both internal and external opportunities for you to achieve the best continuing education and training. Additionally, to remain in compliance with Arizona’s Child Care Licensing program, all employees working with licensed programs, must meet the minimum required hours of qualifying training each year.
From Licensing
• Complete the minimum number of training hours required for your position
o 18 hours per year for all staff who provide child care (increasing to 24 hours per year effective August 2026)
• Training must meet Arizona Administrative Code R9-5-403 requirements (details below) Where to get qualifying training?
• Arizona Work Force Registry
GBA Employee Manual
Arizona Employee Addendum
• CCEI Online Training
• Any required CACFP training
Acceptable training
Each staff member who provides childcare services completes 18 or more actual hours of training every 12 months (increasing to 24 hours per 12-month period effective August 2026), in at least two topics listed in this subsection: Staff in their first 12 months of employment must complete at least 12 hours in topic area (a); staff employed longer must complete at least 6 hours per year in topic area (a). Staff who care for infants must complete at least 6 hours per year on infant growth and development. Directors and Assistant Directors/Designees must also complete at least 6 hours per year in topic area (c). a. Child growth and development
i. Infant growth and development, which may include sudden infant death syndrome prevention(NOTE: A staff member who provides childcare services to an infant completes at least 6 hours in this specific topic area every 12 months) ii. Developmental psychology iii. Language development iv. Observation and child assessment v. Developmentally appropriate activities vi. Child guidance and methods of discipline which may include training on the appropriate techniques to prevent a child fromharmor to prevent the child from harming others; and vii. Developmentally appropriate activity areas b. Health and safety issues
i. Accident and emergency procedures, including CPR and first aid for infants and children; ii. Recognition of signs of illness and infestation iii. Nutrition and developmentally appropriate eating habits iv. Child abuse detection, reporting, and prevention v. Safety of indoor and outdoor activity areas; and vi. Sun safety policies and procedures c. Program administration
i. planning, development, or management(NOTE: A program Director or Assistant Director/Designee must complete at least 6 hours in this specific topic area every 12 months) Paid Time Off (PTO)
Each employee has an opportunity to receive 8 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO). This benefit is available for achieving the state’s required amount of training for the Quality First Program. Employees must complete minimum number of training hours required for your position. (see requirements above
GBA Employee Manual
Arizona Employee Addendum
under Staff Training and Professional Development)
This PTO benefit cannot be carried over from year to year, and request of use of this PTO day, must be pre-approved and in writing.
Employees must be employed for a minimum of 90 days to receive this benefit.
Travel Pay — State-Specific Requirements (Arizona)
Arizona's minimum wage adjusts annually on January 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current rate must be posted at each worksite.
• Statewide minimum wage: $15.15/hr effective January 1, 2026. Adjusts each January 1 — verify at azica.gov. • Flagstaff minimum wage: $18.35/hr effective January 1, 2026. Flagstaff does not permit a tip credit — tipped employees must be paid the full $18.35/hr regardless of tips received. • Tucson minimum wage: $15.45/hr effective January 1, 2026. Tipped employees in Tucson: $12.45/hr cash wage with tip credit up to $3.00. • Statewide tipped employees (outside Flagstaff/Tucson): $12.15/hr cash wage with up to $3.00 tip credit to reach the $15.15/hr minimum. • No daily overtime — only the federal 40-hour weekly threshold applies. • Payroll record retention: minimum 4 years (A.R.S. § 23-364). • The current Arizona minimum wage notice must be posted at each worksite.