Illinois Day Care Centers: DCFS Rule 407 Updates Explained - post

fIllinois DCFS Rule 407 is the main set of licensing standards for day care centers. In 2025, DCFS shared proposed updates to Rule 407 and also adopted specific amendments related to director and teacher qualifications. These updates matter because they can change what you must do for #training, staffing, safety plans, and documentation and what licensing staff may look for during visits.

What changed in Rule 407 in 2025?

In 2025, DCFS posted a summary of proposed amendments across many parts of Rule 407 (training, emergency planning, background checks, health rules, and more). DCFS also posted a notice about adopted amendments that focus on director and teacher qualifications (Sections 407.130 and 407.140).

Adopted changes (effective updates for director/teacher qualifications)

DCFS’ July 1, 2025 notice highlights these adopted changes:

• Montessori credentials can count (for ages birth–12) if issued by MACTE-accredited programs or AMS/AMI, as a substitute for certain child care/child development coursework for directors and for teacher/school-age worker roles.

• First and last hour flexibility (through June 30, 2029): In centers open 8+ hours/day, an early childhood teacher with 2,880 hours at the current facility may be designated to handle decision-making during the first and last hour when the director is off site (with conditions listed in the notice).

• Gateways to Opportunity credentials were added as a pathway to qualify as an early childhood teacher or school-age worker.

• Interim Conditional Early Childhood Teacher: Centers may hire someone who has completed the Gateways Level 1 ECE Credential and is working toward required education or a CDA/CCP, after advertising/posting a vacancy for a qualified teacher (time-limited role).

Other major items DCFS proposed in 2025 (watch for final rule language)

In the April 18, 2025 summary of proposed amendments, DCFS described changes such as:

• New/updated definitions (including items like background check terms, pre-service training, and more).

• Pre-service training topics required before staff work with children.

• In-service training within 90 days of hire, including topics like communicable diseases, medicine administration, allergic reactions, building safety, emergency planning, hazardous materials, and transportation precautions (if applicable).

• Emergency and disaster plan expansion (evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, reunification, continuity, and accommodations for infants/toddlers and children with disabilities/medical needs), plus annual staff training on the plan.

• Background check updates, including how probationary employees must be supervised and limits on being alone with children before full clearance.

• Health and safety updates (examples include staff immunizations documentation, medical action plans for asthma/allergies, food handler training cadence, safe sleep details like “no blankets for infants,” and more).

Because some of these were shared as proposed items, providers should track DCFS notices for the final adopted language and timelines.

What should providers do now?

Here are practical steps you can start this week without panic.

1) Print the 2025 notices and make a “Rule 407 Updates” binder

Include:

• The DCFS adopted amendment notice (director/teacher qualifications).

• The DCFS proposed amendments summary (so you can plan ahead).

• A simple checklist of what you’ve already updated and what is next.

2) Check your staffing plan for the new qualification pathways

Action steps:

• Review director and teacher files for Gateways credentials, CDA plans, and Montessori credentials (if used).

• If you plan to use the first/last hour flexibility, confirm:

  • your center operates 8+ hours/day

  • the designated teacher has 2,880 hours at your facility

  • the designation only applies to the first/last hour when a qualified director isn’t present

• Keep written documentation in your staffing file so it’s easy to show during licensing visits. #staffing #compliance

3) Build a simple training tracker that matches the 90-day and recurring cycles

From the proposed summary, DCFS described required topics within 90 days of hire and recurring training cycles (example: some items every 3 years).
A practical plan:

• Make a one-page tracker with columns: Hire date / Due in 90 days / Completed date / Next due date

• Keep certificates in one shared folder (digital or paper)

Helpful ChildCareEd courses for these topic areas:

• Emergency planning

• Communicable disease prevention

• Medication administration basics

4) Update your emergency plan and practice it

DCFS proposed an expanded plan that includes evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, reunification, continuity of operations, and accommodations for children with disabilities/medical needs plus annual staff training on the plan.

ChildCareEd resource (free):
Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care Providers and Child Care Centers

Quick win:

• Schedule one drill practice discussion at a staff meeting

• Assign roles: who grabs attendance, who leads the line, who calls families

5) Tighten your background check and supervision routine

The proposed summary includes stronger detail on comprehensive background checks and limits on probationary employees being alone with children until full clearance is received.
Do this now:

• Make a “no unsupervised care until cleared” rule easy to follow

• Keep a daily staffing sheet showing who is cleared and who is supervised

6) Refresh health and safety policies (small edits go a long way)

From the proposed summary, items included topics like staff immunization documentation, allergy/anaphylaxis planning, food handler training cadence, and safe sleep details like no blankets for infants.
Practical step:

• Update your staff handbook and parent handbook in one short “Policy Updates” page

Where can I learn more and stay current?

• ChildCareEd Illinois training overview hub

• Related ChildCareEd article (great for staff onboarding)

What’s a simple “do this today” checklist?

• ✅ Print the 2025 Rule 407 notices and start an updates binder

• ✅ Review director/teacher qualifications and Gateways/Montessori pathways

• ✅ Set up a 90-day training tracker and file certificates

• ✅ Update your emergency plan and assign staff roles

• ✅ Confirm supervision rules for anyone awaiting full background clearance

When you take small steps now, the rule update becomes manageable—and your program stays strong for children and families. #Illinois #training #safety