Sec. 13a.16.06.13. Substitutes

A. A substitute shall be 18 years old or older, except that a substitute aide may be 16 years old or older.

B. When a staff member is absent, the operator shall provide a substitute as needed to maintain the staff/child ratios required by COMAR 13A.16.08.03.

C. If a substitute is needed for longer than a continuous 2-week period, the operator shall provide a substitute who meets the qualifications required in this chapter for the absent staff member, or demonstrate that reasonable efforts have been made, with no success, to obtain a qualified substitute.

D. If a staff member is absent for more than a continuous 2-week period due to family or medical leave, the operator may receive permission from the office to employ a substitute for that absent staff member who does not meet the education, training, and experience qualifications for the absent staff member's position.

E. In a center where staff/child ratio and group size requirements set forth in COMAR 13A.16.08.03 require the presence of only one staff member, the substitute shall be qualified as a director or a teacher.