Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers

Under Three Endorsement

(a) The operator of a program caring for children under three (3) years of age shall comply with sections 19a-79-1a through 19a-79-8a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) A program caring for children under three (3) years of age is required to have a separate endorsement by the Department.

(c) Infants and toddlers

(1) Age. Children from six (6) weeks to thirty six (36) months of age shall be considered infants and toddlers.

(2) Ratio. There shall be at least one (1) person qualified under section 19a-79-4a(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for every four (4) children or fraction thereof in attendance.

(3) Group size. The group size shall not exceed eight (8) children.

(4) There shall be a physical barrier separating each group of eight (8) children.

(1) Sinks

(A) In child day care centers there shall be a sink with hot and cold running water designated for diaper changing and hand washing of staff and children. This sink shall be located in the program space. Visual contact with all other children shall be maintained while changing diapers or using the sink. Centers which staff three (3) adults to a group size of eight (8) infants or toddlers may use an accessible diaper changing facility if it is immediately adjoining the program area.

(B) Separate sinks shall be available for purposes other than hand washing after diaper changing within child day care centers.

(C) Group day care homes shall have a sink accessible for hand washing other than the sink used for food preparation.

(2) Furniture shall include:

(A) well constructed free standing cribs, not stacked cribs, each of which has slats no more than two and three eighths (2 3/8) inches apart and a fully water-proofed, firm, snug-fitting mattress;

(B) washable cots for toddlers;

(C) high chairs, each of which has a stable base, safety straps attached to the chair, and a tray which locks securely.

(D) adult rocking chairs;

(E) low tables and chairs according to children's size and development;

(F) a refrigerator and facilities to store and heat food and bottles.

(3) Furniture may include:

(A) strollers, each of which has a stable base, firmly attached safety straps and tightly locking brakes;

(B) infant seats, each of which has a stable base, safety straps and a supporting device that locks firmly in place;

(C) play pens, each of which has either small weave mesh netting or slats no more than two and three eighths ( 2 3/8) inches apart, a firm floor with a secured foam pad, and hinges that lock tightly.

(1) The diapering area shall be an elevated sturdy table or counter equipped with a safety rail.

(2) Infants and toddlers shall be diapered at a diapering area used only for this purpose and located in the program area.

(3) Each diapering area shall have a non-porous surface and be kept in good repair.

(4) Diapering areas shall be washed and disinfected after each use.

(5) Disposable paper sheets shall be used and discarded immediately after each diapering.

(6) A covered washable lined waste receptacle shall be available and located in a convenient place for soiled waste material. These materials shall be removed to an exterior waste storage area at least daily.

(7) The hands of the staff and the children shall be washed before and after each diaper change.

(8) Diapering and hand washing policies and procedures shall be posted in each diapering area.

(9) Disposable diapers shall be discarded in a covered receptacle immediately after diapering.

(10) When cloth diapers or training pants are used, a plan for their use and care shall be submitted to and approved by the Department prior to implementation of the plan. This plan shall include but not necessarily be limited to these procedures:

(A) placing soiled clothing and diapers in a sealed air tight container,

(B) removing soiled clothing and diapers from the child day care center or group day care home daily,

(C) cleaning and sanitizing the container daily.

(1) A supply of linen and emergency clothing shall be available for each child in the child day care center or group day care home at all times.

(2) All children's linens shall be washed at least weekly and as needed.

(3) Each child's linens and clothing shall be stored individually. Plastic bags shall not be accessible to infants and toddlers.

(4) When cribs and cots are shared they must be washed and disinfected and linens changed between children.

(1) Toys used for infants shall be kept separate, washed and disinfected at least daily. Toys for toddlers, including floor and riding toys, shall be washed and disinfected at least weekly and as needed.

(2) Toys and other objects with a diameter of less than one (1) inch or two and one half (2.5) Centimeters, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than one (1) inch or two and one half (2.5) Centimeters, plastic bags, balloons and styrofoam objects shall not be accessible to children under three (3) years of age.

(1) A health consultant who is a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse shall visit the program on the days and times children under the age of three (3) are present. The schedule times of the visits shall be arranged so that all children under the age of three (3) are observed. The health consultant shall prepare and maintain signed documentation of visits which shall be kept on the licensed premises.

(2) The health consultant shall visit the program according to the following schedule:

(A) once a week for children up to twenty-four (24) months of age,

(B) once a week for children two (2) to three (3) years of age attending a full day,

(C) once a month for children two (2) to three (3) years of age attending part day programs.

(3) The responsibilities of the health consultant shall include but not necessarily be limited to:

(A) maintaining health records,

(B) maintaining first aid kits,

(C) evaluating toys and/or equipment for safety,

(D) observing diaper changing area and diaper changing procedures,

(E) observing and providing health screening for individual children,

(F) sharing supplementary materials with staff and parents,

(G) communicating with staff and parents about specific problems,

(H) providing consultation and acting as a resource person to staff and parents,

(I) providing in service education,

(J) identifying child abuse or neglect.

(4) The health consultant shall document the activities and observations required in this subsection in a health consultation log. The health consultation log shall be kept on file at the facility for two (2) years.

(j) If the center provides meals for infants:

(1) a written statement specifying the formula and the feeding schedule shall be obtained from the parents,

(2) unused portions of formula shall be discarded after each feeding,

(3) clean bottles shall be provided by parent(s) unless the center uses disposable bottles or has a dishwasher or dishwashing system approved by the local health director to wash bottles,

(4) baby food shall be served from a dish unless the whole contents of the jar will be served,

(5) each child's bottle shall be individually identified with the child's name.

(1) All infant toddler play space shall be fenced.

(2) The equipment available to the infants and toddlers shall be developmentally appropriate for the ages of the children.

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