Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers
7 AAC 50.520
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
(a) [C] The standards for environmental health and safety set out in 18 AAC
30.800 - 18 AAC 30.890 and 18 AAC 30.945 - 18 AAC 30.990 as administered by
the Department of Environmental Conservation apply to a to child care center
.... Compliance with these environmental health and safety requirements, as
applicable, is required before the division will issue a license to these facilities.
(b) [H & GH] At the time of licensing, a licensing representative will
inspect a facility that is not described in(a) of this section to determine
if the facility meets applicable requirements of(c) -(d) and(h) of this section,
unless the facility has been previously inspected under 18 AAC 30.945 - 18 AAC
30.990. The licensing representative will request an inspection by an environmental
health officer if the licensing representative determines that an inspection
by an environmental health officer is necessary.
(c) [H & GH] A facility that is not described in(a) of this section shall
ensure that it has an ample supply of potable water from one of the following
sources:
- (1) a community water supply;
- (2) a rain catchment system in which the water is
- (A) disinfected; and
- (B) stored off the floor and poured or dispensed by a spout or faucet;
- (3) a surface water supply that has an acceptable filtration system and
is continuously disinfected;
- (4) a well with a water sample that passes a laboratory test for bacteriological
quality; or
- (5) a well with a casing that extends 12 or more inches above the ground,
that has a sanitary seal, and that is at least 100 feet from the nearest sewer
system.
(d) [H & GH] A facility that is not described in(a) of this section shall
take the necessary precautions to make the facility free of hazards that can cause
injury or disease to children both inside and outside of the building, including
- (1) maintaining the facility in a clean and sanitary condition;
- (2) maintaining sanitary facilities for proper care, storage, refrigeration,
and preparation of food;
- (3) installing and maintaining hot water temperature controls so that hot
water delivered to plumbing fixtures accessible to a young child in care is
not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit;
- (4) storing cleaners, medicines, and other harmful substances in a place
inaccessible to young children;
- (5) obtaining furniture and equipment that is durable, safe, and kept in
good repair;
- (6) maintaining proper disposal of sewage, with no evidence of sewage running
on the ground or of a septic tank overflowing;
- (7) storing refuse in containers with tight-fitting lids until it can be
properly disposed;
- (8) having sanitary toileting facilities; and
- (9) having safe and sanitary equipment and supplies for diapering and toileting
where infants and toddlers are in care, including accessibility for caregiver
hand washing.
(e) A facility with more than one child in care using bottles and pacifiers shall
label the bottles and pacifiers with each child's name; a facility that reuses
bottles, bottle caps, and nipples shall clean and disinfect them by washing in
a dishwasher or by boiling for at least five minutes before filling.
(f) [C] Firearms in a center are prohibited under AS 11.61.195. Ammunition
is prohibited in a center [H & GH] All other facilities shall ensure that
firearms are unloaded and reasonably inaccessible to children and that ammunition
is stored separately from the firearms in a place that is reasonably inaccessible
to children.
(h) [H & GH] A child care home and a child care group home shall ensure
that its playground is free of hazards that can cause injury, including
- (1) selecting and maintaining play equipment so that it
- (A) is securely anchored, unless it is portable and self supporting;
- (B) is free of entrapment, pinch, or crush points;
- (C) is free of sharp points, corners, and edges;
- (D) provides clearance between the equipment and any objects that may
cause injury; and
- (2) covering areas around and under play equipment with shock absorbing
material such as pea gravel, sand, or sawdust; concrete and asphalt may not
be used under play equipment.
(i) [C] Smoking in a child care center is prohibited under AS 18.35.305. [H &
GH] Smoking in a child care home and a child care group home is prohibited under
AS 18.35.305(1) during hours of operation.
(j) Where young children are in care, a facility shall install child proof
cover caps in all electrical outlets not in use and that are accessible to children
under age five.(Eff. 1/1/96, Register 136; am 3/1/98, Register 145)
- Authority: AS 44.29.020 AS 47.35.010
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