Common Variances
This type of variance is frequently requested when a staff member has not yet obtained the required credential but has equivalent experience.
What is a staff qualifications variance?
A Montessori preschool requests a variance to use non-standard teacher credentials.
What is a program model-specific variance?
The most important factor when deciding whether to approve a variance.
What is child safety?
A provider submits a variance request without explaining how child safety will be maintained.
What is an incomplete justification?
A provider requests a variance to allow a staff member without a CDA to be a lead teacher.
What is a staff qualifications variance?
A provider requests a variance because their outdoor play area is 10% smaller than required.
What is an outdoor space variance?
A home-based provider seeks a variance to use a nontraditional sleeping arrangement for infants.
What is a sleep safety variance?
This documentation helps justify a variance request by showing alternative safety measures.
What is a risk mitigation plan?
The variance request is submitted but lacks required supporting documentation.
What is missing evidence?
A center applies for a variance to increase its infant room capacity from 10 to 12 infants due to high demand.
What is a ratio and group size variance?
A center applies for this variance to allow an additional child in a classroom when staffing is slightly under the requirement.
What is a staff-to-child ratio variance?
A center requests a variance to use an unlicensed commercial kitchen to prepare food for children.
What is a food preparation variance?
Variance requests should align with this overarching state document governing child care regulations.
What is the Indiana licensing rulebook?
A variance request is denied because it would fundamentally violate licensing regulations.
What is non-compliance with state law?
A facility has a temporary flooding issue and requests a variance to use a different building for three months.
What is an emergency relocation variance?
This variance may be needed when a child care center is unable to meet the square footage requirement due to building constraints.
What is a facility space variance?
A provider in a rural area requests a variance to use a van without the usual safety features for child transportation.
What is a transportation variance?
When evaluating a variance, licensing consultants must determine if this alternative solution still meets the rule’s intent.
What is equivalent compliance?
A provider with multiple previously revoked variances is less likely to be approved due to this factor.
What is a history of non-compliance?
A provider with a history of repeated safety violations applies for a variance. What should the consultant do?
What is likely deny the request?
A center is located in a high-rise building and cannot provide a fenced playground. They request this type of variance.
What is an alternative outdoor play variance?
A provider with a therapy dog requests a variance to allow the animal in a child care environment.
What is an animal presence variance?
If a provider has a history of frequent violations, their variance request is more likely to be denied under this evaluation factor.
What is compliance history?
A variance request that would allow the provider to operate without meeting minimum health and safety standards.
What is an unsafe condition?
A center submits a variance request for a new outdoor play structure that does not meet fall zone safety regulations.
What is likely deny unless modifications are made?