[19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7)] · 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, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight 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.

Corrected Corrected by Oct 20, 2025

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-4a(i)(1-2)(H), (F)] · 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.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7)] · 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, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight 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.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-3a(d)6)(C), (e)(1-6), 7a(e)(17), 10(g)(8)] · The operator shall post the following items in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public: the license, the OEC complaint procedure, menus, No Smoking signs, the plan for administrative oversight, the radon test, the OEC Inspection report (posted or available), the safe sleep policy and the OEC Developmental Milestones document.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-7a(c)(2)] · 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.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-7a(g)(1)] · All equipment shall be of such design and material as to be readily cleaned and safe for children. Equipment shall not be colored or covered by any poisonous material. Equipment shall be sturdy, safely constructed and free from protruding nails, rust, toxic material and other hazards.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-8a-(a)(1-11)-(b)] · The written plan shall include the use of a variety of indoor and outdoor environments based on the children’s interest, individual needs and the learning to be addressed; a flexible schedule that allows time for children to make choices, continue projects over time, and transition from one activity to another; learning experiences that are relevant to the children’s lives and cultural context; a balance of child-initiated and teacher-initiated experiences; exploration and discovery; the use of a variety of materials that support active engagement and promote skills across areas of learning and development; rest, sleep or quiet activities; nutritious meals and snacks; toileting and clean up; individual and small group activities; and moderate and vigorous physical activity for children three years of age and older unless a child has a disability or is experiencing a developmental delay, which prevents such child from engaging in such physical activity. Such activity shall take place outdoors. No child care center or group child care home shall provide access to mobile cellular telephones, laptops and desktop computers or equipment that is capable of playing a video game or digital video disk to children under two years of age. Each child care center and group child care home shall restrict access to mobile cellular telephones, laptop and desktop computers or equipment that is capable of playing a video game or digital video disk by children two years of age and older except for educational or physical activity purposes. This subsection shall not apply to a child in the care of such child care center or group child care home that has a disability or is experiencing a developmental delay, and requires the use of such devices as a result of such disability or delay.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-8a-(a)] · Each child care center and group child care home that serves children younger than school age shall develop and implement a written daily or weekly plan that is developmentally appropriate and shall be available to parent(s) and program staff. Such plans shall reflect the learning and developmental needs of the diverse population of children in the setting, which includes children with cultural, language and developmental differences, and shall incorporate skills across multiple domains, including but not limited to, social and emotional development, cognition, physical development and health, language and literacy, mathematics, creative arts, science and social studies. (a) The written plan shall include: (1) The use of a variety of indoor and outdoor environments based on the children’s interest, individual needs and the learning to be addressed; (2) A flexible schedule that allows time for children to make choices, continue projects over time, and transition from one activity to another; (3) Learning experiences that are relevant to the children’s lives and cultural context. (4) A balance of child-initiated and teacher-initiated experiences; (5) Exploration and discovery; (6) The use of a variety of materials that support active engagement and promote skills across areas of learning and development; (7) Rest, sleep or quiet activities; (8) Nutritious meals and snacks; (9) Toileting and clean up; (10) Individual and small group activities; and (11) Moderate and vigorous physical activity for children three years of age and older unless a child has a disability or is experiencing a developmental delay. Such activity shall take place outdoors. (b) No child care center or group child care home shall provide access to mobile cellular telephones, laptops and desktop computers or equipment that is capable of playing a video game or digital video disk to children under two years of age. Each child care center and group child care home shall restrict access to mobile cellular telephones, laptop and desktop computers or equipment that is capable of playing a video game or digital video disk by children two years of age and older except for educational or physical activity purposes.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 21, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-3a(c)] · The operator shall notify the Office of Early Childhood, the parent(s) and staff of any changes in programs or services. Notification of personnel changes shall be made within five (5) business days after the change. If the change is for a head teacher, a plan for interim head teacher coverage shall be submitted to the Office of Early Childhood. A qualified head teacher or a plan approved by the commissioner shall be in place within thirty (30) days of change of a qualified head teacher. Notification of changes related to the licensed capacity, fees, services or voluntary closing shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the proposed change. A change of location, change of operator or a change of ownership requires a new initial application.

Corrected Corrected by Dec 12, 2023

Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E)] · The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child's parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include an individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities, developed with the child's parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as necessary.

Corrected Corrected by Dec 12, 2023

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-7a(e)(10)] · Potentially hazardous substances in the child care centers and group child care homes shall be stored in a separate locked area.

Corrected Corrected by Dec 12, 2023

Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4)] · 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.

Corrected Corrected by Dec 12, 2023

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-4a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-4a(g)] · 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 documentation of professional development for each program staff person who cares for the children, including new employee orientation and annual training for current staff on programs policies, plans and procedures. Professional development for program staff shall be required for one (1) per cent of the total annual hours worked. The operator of the child care center or group child care home shall develop, implement and maintain a written plan for professional development in child care. The operator shall have documentation of a professional development plan for each program staff member which shall be maintained on site at the facility and made available for review.

Corrected Corrected by Mar 16, 2023

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-4a(b)] · 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 evidence that the necessary information and documentation specified by the Office of Early Childhood in order to conduct background checks has been submitted. The operator shall provide to the Office of Early Childhood any information obtained concerning substantiated child abuse or neglect records or criminal convictions upon request.

Corrected Corrected by Mar 16, 2023

Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-7a(d)(11)(F) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(G)] · Each toilet room shall be ventilated to the outside atmosphere. In child care centers constructed or renovated after January 1, 1994, all toilet facilities shall be mechanically ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

Corrected Corrected by Mar 16, 2023

Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-2a(c)(7)] · At least every two (2) years, the local health director shall make unannounced visits, inspections or investigations of the licensed child care center or group child care home.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 18, 2022

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-3a(d)(2) thru (8) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(A)] · 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. Where toilets and sinks are shared by children and adults, a written policy shall be developed and implemented that requires supervision of children when using the shared toilet room.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 18, 2022

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2)] · A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. These services shall include an early childhood educational consultant, a health consultant, a dentist or dental hygienist consultant, a social service consultant, and a registered dietitian consultant for those programs that serve meals. Consultative services shall include annual review of written policies, plans and procedures, annual review of education programs, availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems, availability, in person of the consultant to the program, consulting with administration and staff about specific problems, and acting as a resource person to staff and the parents.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 18, 2022

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

[19a-79-9a] · Group child care homes and child care centers that administer medications of any kind shall have written policies and procedures at the facility governing the administration of medications.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 18, 2022

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.