Arizona State Addendum

Great Beginnings Academy — General Policies & Procedures

Partner Company: DNJ Educational Services | Locations: Tucson, AZ

State Licensing Authority: Arizona Department of Health Services — Office of Child Care Licensing (ADHS)

Governing Regulations: Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 5 (R9-5)

This addendum supplements the GBA General Policies & Procedures Manual. It applies only to DNJ Educational Services locations in Arizona. Where this addendum specifies a requirement that differs from or adds to the GBA universal policy, this addendum governs for Arizona locations. Where this addendum is silent, the GBA General Policies & Procedures Manual applies.

Section 1 — Illness and Health Exclusions

1.1 Fever Threshold — GBA Universal Policy Applies

Arizona state licensing (R9-5-515) does not mandate a specific fever temperature for exclusion — it requires exclusion for any child showing “signs of illness.” GBA’s universal threshold of 100.1°F applies at all Arizona locations. The 24-hour fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) return requirement also applies.

1.2 Illness Exclusion — GBA Universal Policy Applies

The GBA General Policies & Procedures illness exclusion policy — including the fever threshold, 24-hour symptom-free requirement, one-hour pickup window, and symptom exclusion list — applies at all Arizona locations.

1.3 Communicable Disease Reporting — Arizona Contacts

In addition to reporting to corporate as required by GBA policy, Arizona locations must notify the appropriate local health authority for any reportable communicable disease (per Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-621):

Maricopa County: Maricopa County Department of Public Health — 602-506-6767
Pima County (Tucson): Pima County Health Department — 520-243-7770
All other counties: Arizona Department of Health Services — 602-364-4562

DNJ Educational Services locations are primarily in Pima County (Tucson). Use the Pima County contact for routine communicable disease reporting unless otherwise directed by corporate.

Section 2 — Medication Administration

2.1 Medication Administration — Arizona Restriction

Arizona state licensing and DNJ’s established practice limits medication administration at child care centers. At DNJ Arizona locations, staff may only administer medications in the following circumstances:

Prescription medications provided by the parent or guardian in the original, labeled container, with a completed and signed Medication Authorization Form on file.
Life-threatening condition medications (such as epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions, or seizure rescue medications) with a completed Authorization Form and, where required, a healthcare provider’s written order on file.

Over-the-counter medications — including but not limited to fever reducers (Tylenol, ibuprofen), antihistamines, and topical treatments — may not be administered by staff at Arizona locations unless prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.

This is more restrictive than the GBA universal medication policy. Arizona locations should ensure all staff are aware of and follow this restriction. Questions should be directed to the Center Director or Corporate Management.

Section 3 — Inclement Weather

3.1 Inclement Weather Closures — DNJ Practice

The GBA General Policies & Procedures inclement weather policy provides for case-by-case closures based on conditions and the Center Director’s judgment. DNJ Educational Services centers have historically followed local school district closings as a reference point when making inclement weather decisions in the Tucson area.

DNJ Arizona centers may continue to reference Tucson Unified School District or the applicable local school district as a guide when conditions warrant. However, the final decision to close, delay opening, or dismiss early rests with the Center Director in consultation with Corporate Management, regardless of school district decisions. Families will be notified as early as possible via the center’s standard communication channels.

Section 4 — Pest Control and Extermination

4.1 Arizona-Specific Pest Control Requirements

GBA’s universal pest control policy meets or exceeds minimum requirements in most states. Arizona law imposes additional requirements that apply specifically to Arizona locations (A.R.S. § 3-3606; Arizona Department of Agriculture):

Advance notice to the facility:

The licensed pest control applicator must notify the facility at least 72 hours in advance of any scheduled pesticide application. DNJ locations should confirm this requirement is included in their pest control service agreement.

Posted notice requirements:

A written notice must be posted at each public entrance to the center at least 48 hours before the pesticide application and must remain posted for at least 48 hours after the application is complete. The posted notice must:

Be at least 8.5 inches by 11 inches in size.
Include the name of the pesticide product(s) to be applied.
Include the EPA registration number of the product(s).
Include the date and time of the scheduled application.
Include the name and contact information of the licensed pest control company.

GBA’s universal policy requires the notice to include the product name, application date/time, and company contact information. Arizona locations must additionally include the EPA registration number and ensure the physical posted notice meets the 8.5” × 11” minimum size requirement. Pest control companies serving Arizona locations should be asked to provide a compliant notice template.

Recordkeeping:

Records of all pest control applications, parent notifications, and posted notices must be maintained at the Arizona center for a minimum of three years. This is consistent with GBA’s universal recordkeeping requirement.

Section 5 — Licensing and Regulatory Compliance

5.1 State Licensing Authority

DNJ Educational Services locations are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Office of Child Care Licensing. All state licensing files and most recent inspection reports are available for review by parents upon request at the center.

ADHS Child Care Licensing — Tucson Office: 520-628-6965
ADHS Child Care Licensing — General: 602-364-2539
ADHS Website: azdhs.gov

5.2 Parent Right to Review Licensing Records

In accordance with Arizona law, parents and guardians have the right to review the center’s most recent state inspection report and licensing file. Please ask the Center Director for access.

5.3 Policy Update Notice

Arizona locations will provide parents with at least 30 days’ written notice before any substantive policy change, consistent with GBA’s universal standard. Arizona state licensing (R9-5) requires that parents be notified of changes affecting services. The posted fee schedule must be kept current and conspicuously displayed on-site (R9-5-303).

5.4 Tuition Rate Changes — Arizona Posting Requirement

In addition to GBA’s standard 30-day written notice to families, Arizona licensing (R9-5-303) requires that the current fee schedule be posted conspicuously at the center at all times. DNJ locations must ensure the posted fee schedule is updated to reflect any rate changes at the same time families receive written notice.

5.5 Staff-to-Child Ratios — Arizona Requirement

Arizona licensing (A.A.C. R9-5-404) sets minimum staff-to-child ratios by age group, which apply at all DNJ Arizona locations. In a mixed-age group, the ratio for the youngest child present governs:

Infants: 1 staff to 5 children (or 2 staff to 11 infants)
1-year-olds: 1 staff to 6 children (or 2 staff to 13 children)
2-year-olds: 1 staff to 8 children
3-year-olds: 1 staff to 13 children
4-year-olds: 1 staff to 15 children
5-year-olds (not yet school-age): 1 staff to 20 children
School-age: 1 staff to 20 children

When six or more children are present, a director or designee plus at least one additional staff member must be on-site; with five or fewer children, an additional staff member must be reachable within 15 minutes. DNJ locations should confirm current staffing practice meets or exceeds these ratios at all times.

5.6 Immunization Requirements — Arizona Requirement

Arizona licensing (A.A.C. R9-5-305, together with R9-6-702 and R9-6-706; A.R.S. § 36-883) requires a complete immunization record or a valid exemption on file before a child may attend. Required immunizations include DTaP, Polio (IPV), MMR, Hepatitis B, Hib, Varicella, Meningococcal, and – for children ages 1–5 in Maricopa County – Hepatitis A.

If a child’s record shows a missed dose, the family will receive written notice and 15 calendar days to comply before the child is excluded. During a declared disease outbreak, unimmunized or non-immune children must be excluded until the outbreak has passed. Only two exemption types are valid for Arizona child care enrollment:

Religious exemption — must use the Arizona Department of Health Services’ religious exemption form; no notarization required.
Medical exemption — must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and state whether the exemption is permanent or temporary.

Arizona’s general “personal belief” exemption form used for K-12 schools is not valid for child care enrollment — only the religious and medical exemption forms above may be accepted.

5.7 Transportation Requirements — Arizona Requirement

For DNJ locations that provide transportation, Arizona licensing (A.A.C. R9-5-517 and R9-5-518) requires:

A currently registered, insured vehicle with proof of insurance on board; no transport in truck beds, campers, or towed trailers.
A first-aid kit, two clean towels or blankets, and drinking water with individual cups on board; maintenance records kept for 12 months.
A driver at least 18 years old with a valid Arizona driver’s license, who carries a roster and each child’s emergency/immunization card, keeps doors locked and children seated while the vehicle is moving, and does not use a phone while driving.
Age-appropriate child passenger restraints for children under 8 and 4’9” or shorter; seat belts for older children.
Written, dated parent permission on file before any child is transported, retained for 12 months; field trips require separate written permission naming the date, destination, and departure/return times.
Any transportation accident reported to ADHS within 24 hours, with a written report filed within 7 days.

If a DNJ location does not provide transportation, this section does not apply.

5.8 Background Check / Fingerprint Clearance Card — Arizona Requirement

Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 36-883.02 and § 41-1758.07; A.A.C. R9-5-203), every employee and volunteer at a DNJ Arizona location must hold a valid Level I fingerprint clearance card before beginning work. This requirement is in addition to GBA’s universal background check policy.

Fingerprints are submitted through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) via an approved live-scan vendor or local law enforcement; DPS does not fingerprint applicants directly.
The clearance card must be renewed every 6 years.
A separate Central Registry (child abuse) background check under A.R.S. § 46-811 is also required and must be renewed every 5 years.
Disqualifying offenses fall into two tiers: non-waivable offenses (such as sexual offenses, child abuse or neglect, and homicide) and discretionary offenses, for which a person may petition the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting for a good cause exception.

Questions about an individual’s fingerprint clearance card status should be directed to the Center Director or Corporate Management.

Section 6 — Items for Future Review

The following items have been identified for future Arizona addendum development as additional source material becomes available:

Holiday schedule — DNJ centers observe a specific Arizona/Tucson holiday schedule. A confirmed holiday list should be added here once finalized.

This addendum was last updated: July 2026

General Policies & Procedures — Arizona Addendum