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Department of Early Learning and Care

Recorded Programs

Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 327A.255 and ORS 327A.257 require certain programs that serve children to be recorded with the Child Care Licensing Division. This law went into effect July 1, 2010. The purpose of the statutes are to ensure adults having contact with children complete criminal background checks and to inform parents about the type of program they are accessing.

If you have more questions on recorded programs, please contact the Child Care Licensing Division at 503-947-1400 or 1-800-556-6616.

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Recorded Programs

Being recorded with the Child Care Licensing Division is different than being licensed in that there are only two requirements:

  1. All staff and volunteers 18 years of age and older, as well as individuals who may have unsupervised contact with children in the program, must be enrolled in the Central Background Registry (CBR).
  2. Providers must notify parents about a program’s recorded status and post the program notice in a place where it can be seen.

Unlike a licensed child care facility, the rules for recorded programs are minimal. CCLD will not look at staff requirements, ratio of children to adults, equipment, activities or any other aspects of the program. In most cases, CCLD staff will not visit the facility.

What type of programs must be recorded?

  1. Preschool programs that operate for four hours a day or less, are educational, and serve children from 36months of age eligible for first grade in a public school, must be recorded.
  2. Providing youth development activities* to school-age children (eligible for kindergarten up to 13 years of age) during hours that school is not in session.

Rules for Preschool Recorded Programs (UnL-0234)

English | Spanish

Rules for School-Age Recorded Programs (UnL-0645)

English Spanish

*Youth Development Activities are care, supervision, or guidance that is intended for enrichment, including teaching skills or proficiency in physical, social, or educational activities such as tutoring, music lessons, social activities, sports, and recreational activities.

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What type of programs do not need to be recorded?

The following do not need to be recorded:

  • Programs that are mostly a group athletic or a group social activity and are sponsored by an organized club or hobby group, such as the Girl Scouts.
  • Programs that are for school-age children focusing on a single enrichment activity where no child attends for more than eight hours a week, such as swimming lessons.
  • Programs operated by a school district, political subdivision of the state, or a government agency.

How will I know if my program needs to be recorded?

If your program falls into one of the two categories above, you need to apply to become recorded with CCLD. You may call CCLD at the phone number listed on this form to request an information packet that includes the application and rule book.  If CCLD learns that a program needs to be recorded, CCLD staff will contact the program to provide information about the recording process.

What is the process to become recorded?

The following is the process to become a recorded program:

  1. All staff, volunteers, and those that may have unsupervised contact with children must enroll in the Central Background Registry.
  2. Download the recorded program application or call CCLD to request an application be mailed to you.
    Recorded Preschool Program Application (UnL-0232):  English | Spanish

    Recorded School-Age Program Application (UnL-0231):  English | Spanish

  3. Complete the application and send it with the $20 application fee to the address listed on the form. You must also send the following documentation with the application and fee:
    • A statement describing the purpose of the program
    • Description of types of activities provided to children
    • Parent agreement
    • Daily schedule
  4. After your application is reviewed, you may be contacted by CCLD staff for more information.
  5. A recorded program notice will be mailed to the program. The notice is valid for two years and must be renewed. The notice itself must be posted in a place where it can easily be seen by families.

Will anyone from the Child Care Licensing Division visit my program?

Child Care Licensing Division staff members will not inspect your facility. A recorded program is exempt from child care licensing. If CCLD is made aware that a program will not complete CBR enrollment for their staff and/or volunteers, will not post the program notice, or may need to be licensed, CCLD staff will visit the program.

If you have more questions on recorded programs, please contact the Child Care Licensing Division at 503-947-1400 or 1-800-556-6616.

Central Background Registry (CBR)

Who must be enrolled in the CBR?

A. All recorded program staff, volunteers, and individuals who are 18 or older and who may have unsupervised contact with children are required to enroll in the CBR. Visitors (18 and older) to the program during child care hours must enroll in the CBR if they may have unsupervised contact with the children in care. A visitor is likely to have an opportunity for unsupervised contact with children in care when the staff member/volunteer needs to visit another area of the facility.

For recorded programs housed in larger organizations (such as churches or private/public schools): Do other administrative, janitorial, or maintenance staff need to enroll in the CBR?

A. Only if those individuals may have unsupervised contact with children in the program. An individual is likely to have an opportunity for unsupervised contact with children in care when the staff member/volunteer needs to visit another area of the facility or if children use restrooms located in other areas of the building. It is recommended that recorded programs partner with organizations and clearly identify any individuals that may have unsupervised contact with children and enroll those individuals in the CBR. This does not apply to recorded program staff and volunteers, who are required to be enrolled in the CBR by Oregon Revised Statute and Oregon Administrative Rules.

When must recorded program personnel enroll in the CBR?

A. Recorded program personnel must enroll in the CBR by: • New employees and volunteers of recorded programs must enroll in the CBR beginning Jan. 1, 2023. • Staff and volunteers associated with the program before Jan. 1, 2023, must submit a complete CBR application by June 30, 2023. Their previous, non-CBR background check will remain valid until CCLD takes action on the CBR application as long as the complete application is received by June 30, 2023.

For More information visit the CBR Page

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