H. Outdoor play areas. The facility must have access to an outdoor play area, with sufficient space for safe play for all Children, with drainage that prevents standing water.
1. Where hazardous conditions exist in the outdoor play area, the Children must be protected from those conditions by fencing or other appropriate barriers.
a. Hazardous conditions include, but are not limited to, roads, any bodies of water, active railroad tracks, sharp inclines or embankments, or any other dangerous area.
b. Fencing should be a minimum of 48 inches high. Any fully enclosed area must have at least one gate, which is secured with a Childproof latching mechanism.
c. (NEW) There must be an exit from the playground other than through a building.
~ This play yard exit is clarifying language.
2. Outdoor active play equipment must be arranged to allow providers to maintain line of sight supervision of Children at all times.
3. (NEW) Appropriately fitted helmets must be worn for all activities when head injury risks are present (e.g. bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, snowboard, and/or power wheels).
4. Equipment that exceeds 36 inches in height at the climbable or standing surface shall have energy-absorbing materials beneath it.
a. Energy-absorbing materials include loose fill materials such as playground wood chips, pea gravel, rubber tiles or mats, or sand.
b. Energy-absorbing material must extend beyond the equipment in all directions to prevent injury in the event of a fall.
c. If using loose-fill energy-absorbing materials, all swings, climbers, and slides must have a sufficient amount of energy-absorbing materials to prevent injury, based upon equipment height.
d. Concrete or asphalt must not be used.
5. A variety of equipment suitable for the age and needs of all Children in care must be available. Climbers, swings and slides must be firmly secured, clean, in proper repair and safely constructed; and located at a sufficient distance to prevent injury from any hard surfaces, including poles, fences, sheds and other play equipment.
6. The play area must be free of hazards and visually inspected by a Provider daily, prior to Children having access to the area.
7. Sandboxes or sand piles must be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.
8. Outdoor play areas must provide shade. The provider shall ensure sun safety for Children by limiting sun exposure when UV rays are strongest, wearing hats, or applying sunscreen (unless directed otherwise by the Child’s Parent). Infants younger than six months must stay out of direct sunlight, and a Provider may not apply sunscreen to an Infant unless the Child’s Parent provides a physician’s recommendation. Written documentation from the physician must be stored in the Child’s file.
I.(NEW) Weapons. Firearms, hunting knives, bows and arrows, and other weapons kept on the Premises must remain in a Locked case, closet, or cabinet inaccessible to Children during all hours of operation.
1. Firearms must be kept unloaded. Ammunition must be Locked in a separate location from weapons.
J. (NEW) Materials, toys and equipment. Materials, toys, and equipment must be Developmentally Appropriate for Children enrolled.
1. Infants: A sufficient variety of toys, music and books designed to stimulate curiosity, small and large muscle development, hand-eye coordination, and the senses of sight, sound and touch.
2. Toddlers and preschool Children: A sufficient variety to offer activities in each of the following areas: blocks, dramatic play, language and literacy, arts and crafts, games and manipulatives (such as pegboards and puzzles), sensory activities (such as sand and water), science and nature, and music.
3. School-age Children: A sufficient variety to offer activities in each of the following areas: books and language, arts and crafts, games, science and nature, and music.
4. Toys and equipment that have been recalled through the manufacturer or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) must be removed from the Premises, repaired, or replaced based on the recall information available.
5. The Provider must have access to extra Children’s clothing, in the event that clothes become soiled, damaged, or were not provided for the activities of the day.
K. (NEW) Furnishings. The Provider must be furnished to meet the needs of the Children served.
1. Easily accessible and individual space must be made available for Children’s outside clothing and personal possessions.
2. The Provider must assign each Child his/her own toilet articles (toothbrush, brush, comb, etc.) and personal items (towel, drinking glass) when the use of such is offered.
3. When bathing facilities are available:
a. Children must not take baths together or share the same bath water;
b. Tubs or showers must be Cleaned before being used by a different Child;
c. Children must be given clean washcloths and towels; and
d. No Child under five years of age shall be left unattended while in the bathtub or shower.
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