Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers

Physical Plant

(a) The standards established by the following sources for the construction, renovation, alteration, expansion, conversion, maintenance and licensure of child day care centers and group day care homes, as they are amended from time to time, are incorporated and made a part of this section by reference:

(1) State of Connecticut Basic Building Code,

(2) State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code,

(3) State of Connecticut Public Health Code

(4) local codes and ordinances.

(1) Completed plans and specifications shall be submitted to and reviewed by the Department on the basis of compliance with the Public Health Code.

(2) Written approval by the local building inspector, local director of health or designee, local zoning, and local fire marshal shall be submitted to the Department.

(3) Approval by the Department is required prior to the use of any space that has been newly constructed, expanded, renovated or converted.

(1) Any new operator is responsible for bringing the center or home into compliance with sections 19a-79-1a through 19a-79-8a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(2) 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.

(3) Water supply, food service and sewage disposal facilities shall be in compliance with all applicable sections of the Public Health Code.

(A) All water supplies shall be tested every two (2) years for lead content and the results submitted to the local and state health departments.

(B) Whenever water is obtained from other than a Department-approved public water supply it shall be of a safe and sanitary quality and tested every two (2) years for bacterial and chemical quality and the results submitted to the local and state health departments,

(C) Sanitary drinking fountains or individual disposal drinking cups shall be provided and accessible to the children at all times.

(1) Emergency vehicles shall have access to all child day care centers or group day care homes.

(2) Established walkways shall be provided and properly maintained for each entrance and exit leading to a driveway or street.

(3) In child day care centers that are licensed by January 1, 1994, a toilet and sink shall be designated for use by the staff and other adults. In child day care centers that are licensed or renovated after January 1, 1994, a room with a toilet and sink within the licensed child day care center shall be designated for the exclusive use of staff and other adults.

(4) All windows that open to the outside and are used for ventilation shall be equipped with sixteen (16) mesh screening.

(5) Any unprotected glass doors, windows, or mirrors to which children have access shall be protected to a height of thirty six (36) inches from the floor or surface on which a child stands.

(6) Where overhead doors are accessible to the children they shall be equipped with locking devices and spring protectors.

(7) Exit doorways, stairs, or hallways shall not be blocked by furniture, toys, or play equipment.

(8) There shall be an area available for the individual storage of each child's clothing and bedding.

(9) Smoking is prohibited in all child day care centers or group day care homes and outdoor areas except in designated smoking areas, provided these areas are separate, properly ventilated, and enclosed away from any children present at the facility. Signs shall be posted, visible to the public, on entrance to the facility indicating that smoking is prohibited except in designated areas.

(10) 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.

(11) Toilet and washing facilities

(A) 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 bathroom.

(B) For programs serving children under six (6) years of age there shall be at least one (1) toilet and one (1) sink with hot and cold running water for every sixteen (16) children, or fraction thereof. Standard size toilets and sinks shall be adapted for children's use.

(C) For programs serving only school age children, there shall be at least one (1) toilet and one (1) sink with running water for every twenty-five (25) children, or fraction thereof. Toilet facilities shall be designed in such a manner to allow individual privacy.

(D) Sinks with running water shall be readily accessible to the toilet rooms if not located within them. Toilet tissue, soap, single use disposable towels and a covered waste receptacle shall be accessible to the toilets and sinks.

(E) Each toilet room shall be well lighted and ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

(F) In child day care centers constructed or renovated after January 1, 1994, all toilet facilities shall be mechanically ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

(1) Every area used by children shall be adequately ventilated and have a thermometer affixed to the wall. The ambient air temperature shall be at least sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit as measured three (3) feet from the floor.

(2) When the temperature exceeds eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit the operator shall provide more fluids and increase ventilation.

(3) The water heating equipment shall deliver hot water at the tap, the temperature of which shall be within a range of 105 degrees Fahrenheit to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. It shall have the capacity to deliver the required amounts at all times in conformance with the State of Connecticut Basic Building Code.

(4) Only central heating or permanently installed heating systems shall be used. Portable space heaters are prohibited.

(5) Walls, ceilings, floors and rugs shall be maintained in a state of good repair and be washable or easily cleanable. Rugs, if used, shall be secured to the floor.

(6) Hot water or steam pipes located in areas accessible to children shall have adequate protective covering which is maintained safely and in good repair

(7) Each level of the child day care center or group day care home shall be provided with a telephone in working order located within the licensed program space accessible to staff for emergency purposes. Emergency telephone numbers shall be posted in an area adjacent to the phone.

(8) All spaces occupied by people, equipment within buildings, approaches to buildings, and parking lots shall have a minimum of one (1) foot candle of lighting per square foot.

(9) Child day care centers and group day care homes licensed before January 1, 1994, shall have at least fifty (50) foot candles of light per square foot in rooms used by children. In child day care centers and group day care homes constructed or renovated after January 1, 1994, all rooms and toilet rooms shall have at least one light fixture switch at each entrance. Light fixtures shall be shielded or shatter proof.

(10) Potentially hazardous substances in the child day care centers and group day care homes shall be stored in a separate locked area.

(11) Garbage and rubbish shall be kept in containers constructed of durable material approved by the local health director. Receptacles shall be in good repair to prevent infestations by rodents, insects and other pests and to prevent odors, injuries and other nuisance conditions. The garbage and rubbish shall be moved to an exterior waste storage area at least daily.

(12) Stairs must be properly protected and maintained in good repair. There must be handrails installed at a height usable by children.

(13) Toxic plants and materials are prohibited in areas accessible to children.

(14) Any pet or animal present at the facility, indoors or outdoors, shall be in good health, show no evidence of carrying disease, and be a friendly companion for the children.

(15) When pets are kept on the premises, procedures for their care and maintenance and access to the children shall be written and implemented.

(16) If the child day care center or group day care home uses the basement level or the ground floor of a building, a minimum of one (1) radon test shall be conducted using a device or service approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency radon measurement proficiency program. This test shall be completed during the months of November through April and the results posted with the license. The Department and the local director of health shall be notified of the results.

(17) There shall be effective measures taken to prevent vermin from entering and/or breeding in the child day care center or group day care home. All openings to the outer air used for ventilation shall be screened with a minimum of sixteen (16) mesh screening and doors shall be provided to prevent the entrance of vectors.

(1) The requirements of this subdivision shall apply to a child day care center or group day care home operating in a facility first licensed after January 1, 1986.

(A) The operator shall provide minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of total indoor usable program space per child. The total licensed capacity shall be determined on a room-by-room basis measuring from interior wall to interior wall.

(B) Within the allowance for total indoor usable program space there may be furniture used by other individuals as well as the children but there shall be open program space available which allows for freedom of movement by the children.

(C) The following items shall be deducted from the total indoor usable square footage of program space:

(i) bathroom, hallways, kitchen and food service areas;

(ii) refrigerators;

(iii) heating and cooling units;

(iv) staff desks and storage units

(v) any space or equipment used for other than the activities of the children.

(vi) large indoor activity room.

(2) The requirements of this subdivision shall apply to a child day care center or group day care home operating in a facility first licensed before January 1, 1986.

(A) The operator shall provide a minimum of thirty (30) square feet of total indoor usable program space per child. Measurements to determine total indoor usable program space shall be taken from interior walls.

(B) Such space shall be free of furniture except that needed for the children's purpose, exclusive of toilet rooms, bathrooms, coat rooms, kitchens, halls, isolation room or other rooms used for purposes other than the activities of the children.

(3) Cots, cribs, and playpens shall be placed so that walkways are clear for emergencies and evacuation.

(1) Equipment shall not be colored and/or covered by any poisonous material. All solid constituents of paint for equipment and toys, and pigment coloring in paints, pencils, crayons and inks, to be used by the children shall be non-toxic. Equipment shall be sturdy, safely constructed, and free from protruding nails, rust, toxic material, and other hazards.

(2) Adequate equipment for rest shall be provided. An individual cot shall be provided for any child who regularly remains five (5) hours or longer per day. When cots are shared, they shall be washed and disinfected and linens changed between children. In a group day care home, an individual mat or individual sleeping bag may be substituted for the individual cot.

(3) Metal equipment shall be free from rust or chipping paint.

(4) Hardware such as air conditioners, water heaters, or fuse boxes shall be inaccessible to children.

(5) The materials and equipment available and used by children shall be developmentally appropriate for the ages of the children served.

(1) There shall be access to a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor space for the number of children using the space at any one time. This could include parks, school yards, parking areas or elevated or roof top play areas. The outdoor area shall be fenced or protected for safety.

(2) Where swings, see-saws or climbing apparatus are used, the surface in the space shall be protected with a minimum of eight (8) inches of impact absorbing materials, e.g., sand, or its equivalent.

(3) The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards.

(4) Nuts, bolts and screws shall be tight and those that protrude shall be covered or protected.

(5) Outside equipment shall be anchored for stability. Anchors shall be buried below ground level.

(6) Where fencing exists, it shall be at least four (4) feet in height and surround the play area.

(7) Drinking water shall be available and accessible.

(8) Outdoor equipment shall be arranged in such a way as to avoid accidents.

(9) Only pesticides or herbicides that protect the health and safety of the children shall be used in any outdoor play area.

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