Proper staff child ratios shall be maintained at all times, indoors and outdoors. There shall be at least one program staff for every ten children, or fraction thereof in attendance. When there is a mixed age group, the lower required ratio for the age of the youngest child shall prevail. During nap time, when all of the children in the group are sleeping, the overall staff child ratios shall be maintained on the licensed premises. At no time shall a group of children be left unsupervised.

[19a-79-4a(d)(4)(A-B) and (d)(6)] · Corrected Mar 9, 2026

For programs serving children younger than school age, the building, equipment and furnishings shall be maintained in a good state of repair. A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and safety hazards.

[19a-79-7a(c)(2)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

Indoor play equipment for climbing shall have a shock absorbing surface, under and around, that shall effectively cushion the fall of a child. Carpet is not considered a shock absorbing surface.

[19a-79-7a(g)(6)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child's parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least three years after the child is no longer attending the program.

[19a-79-9a(b)(3)(A-B)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

Medication shall be stored in the original child-resistant safety container and appropriately labeled. Medication shall be stored in a locked area or a locked container in a refrigerator in keeping with the label directions away from food and inaccessible to children. Only personnel authorized to administer medication may be provided with the means to access such medication. Controlled drugs shall be stored in accordance with state law.

[19a-79-9a(b)(5)(A-B)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication shall be kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication. The parent(s) shall be immediately notified of any medication error, and notified of such error in writing not more than seventy two hours after the medication error occurred, and such medication error shall be documented in the child’s record. The medication shall be stored in the original container and shall contain the following information on the container or packaging indicating the individual child’s name; the name of the medication; and directions for the medication’s administration. The medication shall be stored away from food and inaccessible to children. Any unused portion of the medication shall be returned to the parent(s). Any expired medication shall be destroyed in a safe manner or returned to the parent.

[19a-79-9a(a)(2-3)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

An education consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice and support regarding the educational content and practice of the program. A person needs to apply for approval to be an education consultant. Program staff shall not serve as education consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role; or in a program with the same operator as a program in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role. Specific duties of the education consultant shall include, but not be limited to making, at a minimum, annual site visits to the facility, reviewing daily plans, curriculum documents, and educational policies for the developmental and age appropriate practices, observing program staff interactions, use of materials and equipment, implementation of plans and approaches to classroom management; and providing feedback on documentation review and classroom observations to the director and head teacher. A health consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding the health of the children and the health program. Specific duties of the health consultant shall include, but not be limited to making, at a minimum, quarterly site visits to facilities that serve children three years of age and older; or for group child care homes, facilities that operate no more than three hours per day, or facilities that enroll only school age children, semi-annual site visits. Facilities that are closed during the summer months may omit the summer quarterly visit. Site visits shall be made by the health consultant during customary business hours when the children are present at the facility. Specific duties include, but are not limited to reviewing health and immunization records of children and program staff, reviewing the contents, storage and plan for maintenance of first aid kits, observing the indoor and outdoor environments for health and safety, observing children’s general health and development, observing diaper changing and toileting areas and diaper changing, toileting and hand washing procedures, reviewing the policies, procedures and required documentation for the administration of medications, including petitions for special medication authorizations needed for programs that administer medication, assisting in the review of individual care plans for children with special health care needs or children with disabilities, as needed; and quarterly review of all injury, illness, incident and accident reports. A social service consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding the emotional needs, program staff support and the social service program. A registered dietitian consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding nutrition and food service for those programs that prepare or plan meals. A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative service shall include, but not be limited to an annual review of written policies, plans and procedures that relate to the services provided by the consultant, availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems, availability, in person, of the consultant to the program, consulting with administration and program staff about specific problems, acting as a resource person to program staff and the parent(s) to include coordinating services and assisting families and program staff in identifying necessary resources, and seeking and supporting the collaboration of multiple consultants serving the program. The activities and observations required by each consultant shall be documented in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.

In child care centers there shall be a sink with hot and cold running water designated for diaper changing and hand washing of program staff and children. This sink shall be located in the program space. Child care centers which have three program staff for a group of infants or toddlers may use an accessible diaper changing facility if it is immediately adjoining the program area. Separate sinks shall be available for purposes other than hand washing after diaper changing within child care centers. Group child care homes shall have a sink accessible for hand washing other than the sink used for food preparation.

[19a-79-10(d)(1)(A-C)] · Corrected Mar 5, 2025

The operator shall document that parents have been informed of the techniques used to manage child behaviors in the facility prior to enrollment and reviewed as needed during the period of the child's enrollment.

[19a-79-3a(b)(7)(B)] · Corrected Feb 11, 2025

A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative services shall include documenting the activities and observations in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.

[19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G)] · Corrected Jan 16, 2024

The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication and a medication administration record shall be written in ink and kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication.

[19a-79-9a(a)(2)] · Corrected Jan 16, 2024

A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include an acceptable medical statement and a written report of a negative tuberculin test.

[19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2)] · Corrected Jan 16, 2024

Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child's parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least two (2) years after the child is no longer attending the program.

[19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4)] · Corrected Jan 16, 2024

The operator and staff shall manage child behavior using techniques based on developmentally appropriate practice, including positive guidance, redirection and setting clear limits that encourage children to develop self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem.

[19a-79-3a(b)(8)(A)] · Corrected Apr 11, 2023

The operator and staff shall report actual or suspected child abuse or neglect, or the imminent risk of serious harm of any child to the Department of Children and Families as mandated by the Connecticut General Statutes.

[19a-79-3a(b)(8)(E)] · Corrected Apr 11, 2023

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[-] · Corrected Jan 6, 2023

For children under three years of age, there shall be at least one (1) program staff for every four (4) children or fraction thereof in attendance. During nap time, when all of the children in the group are sleeping, the overall staff child ratios shall be maintained on the licensed premises. At no time shall a group of children be left unsupervised.

[19a-79-10(c)(2) and/or 19a-79-4a(c)(6)] · Corrected Jan 6, 2023

The building, equipment and services shall be maintained in a good state of repair. A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and safety hazards.

[19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a] · Corrected Jan 6, 2023

Rugs, if used, shall be secured to the floor.

[19a-79-7a(e)(5)] · Corrected Jan 6, 2023

The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication and a medication administration record shall be written in ink and kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication.

[19a-79-9a(a)(2)] · Corrected Jan 6, 2023

Emergency vehicles shall have access to all child care centers or group child care homes. Established walkways shall be provided and properly maintained for each entrance and exit leading to a driveway or street. All windows that open to the outside and are used for ventilation shall be equipped with sixteen mesh screening, and shall be protected to prevent falls. Any unprotected glass doors, windows or mirrors to which children have access shall be protected. Where overhead doors are accessible to the children, they shall be equipped with locking devices and spring protectors. Exit doorways, stairs or hallways shall not be blocked by furniture, toys or play equipment. There shall be an area available for the individual storage of each child's clothing and bedding. Smoking is prohibited in all child care centers or group child care homes and outdoor areas except in designated smoking areas. Signs shall be posted, visible to the public, on entrance to the facility indicating that smoking is prohibited except in designated areas. Matches and lighters shall be inaccessible to children at all times. Electrical outlets shall be provided with safety covers or approved safety outlets. The use and maintenance of electrical cords, appliances and adaptors shall be in full compliance with state codes. Requirements regarding toilet and washing facilities must be satisfied.

[19a-79-7a(d)] · Corrected Jul 5, 2022

Cited finding

Corrected Jun 15, 2022

The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include, but not necessarily be limited to discipline, when a child is not picked up as planned, emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, and personnel policies. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.

[19a-79-3a(d)] · Corrected Jun 15, 2022

The operator shall be responsible for assuring the supervision of the children at all times while the children are at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised.

[19a-79-4a(c)] · Corrected Jun 15, 2022

Where swings, seesaws or climbing apparatus are used, the surface in the space shall be protected with a minimum of eight (8) inches of impact absorbing materials.

[19a-79-7a(h)(2)] · Corrected Dec 9, 2021

The operator of the child care center or group child care home shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and applicable endorsements in such a manner as to ensure the safety, health and development of the children while in the operator's care.

[19a-79-3a] · Corrected Dec 9, 2021

The operator and staff shall manage child behavior using techniques based on developmentally appropriate practice, including positive guidance, redirection and setting clear limits that encourage children to develop self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem.

[19a-79-3a(b)(8)(A)] · Corrected Sep 30, 2021