South Carolina Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers

Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers

Section B
Elements of the Program

B.(1) A day care center serving children from birth to twenty four months old shall comply with the following requirements:

B.(1)(a) During the day, staff shall periodically remove children from cribs, playpens, feeding chairs or other equipment;

B.(1)(b) Staff shall have frequent verbal communication with the children;

B.(1)(c) Staff shall hold the children while they are feeding if the children are unable to sit in a feeding chair or at the table;

B.(1)(d) Staff shall hold the children while they are drinking until they are able to hold their own bottles. Bottles shall not be propped at any time;

B.(1)(e) Each child shall receive daily personal contact and attention, such as being held, sung to, rocked, taken on walks, etc;

B.(1)(f) Staff shall offer water to toddlers periodically and to infants only upon the request of parent(s)/guardian(s).

B.(2) The director shall provide the following types of equipment and space for the children in attendance:

B.(2)(a) Indoor areas protected from general walkways, where crawling children can be on the floor and explore for part of the day;

B.(2)(b) Feeding chairs, low chairs and tables or infant seats with trays at mealtime;

B.(2)(c) Toys and materials which afford opportunities to learn through seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling and tasting;

B.(2)(d) Chairs for staff to use when feeding, holding or playing with the children.

B.(3) Staff shall provide outdoor time for infants as feasible and when the weather permits.

B.(4) Staff shall provide appropriate attention to the needs of children who are crying.

B.(5) Napping or resting periods shall be appropriate to the individual needs of the child.

B.(6) The center director of a day care center serving children twenty four months and older shall ensure that indoor periods include:

B.(6)(a) Opportunity for active and quiet activities;

B.(6)(b) Opportunity for individual and group activities;

B.(6)(c) Outdoor time each day as weather permits.

B.(7) Staff shall provide opportunities for each child to ask questions and engage in conversation with others.

B.(8) Staff shall plan and provide daily age-appropriate activities in accordance with the child's developmental level, such as stories, music, art, cooking, living skills, puzzles, blocks, etc.

B.(9) The director shall establish a general schedule of daily activities for children two years and older.

B.(10) Staff shall provide undivided attention to each child daily by guiding his/her play with a variety of toys and activities.

B.(11) Children shall be provided daily indoor opportunities for freedom of movement.

B.(12) Age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities for school-age children, such as art, music, stories, puppetry, science, dramatic play, crafts, games, sports and real tasks such as cooking, sewing, or woodworking shall be available.

B.(13) Quiet areas with supervision shall be made available to children desiring to be alone or to work on homework.

B.(14) Age-appropriate radio and television and VCR tapes shall be used only as a supplement and enhancement to the daily program. No child shall be required to view television or VCR tapes. All video tapes shall be previewed by the director and/or staff to ensure their appropriateness.

B.(15) Staff shall assist children who display fatigue or anxiety from separation of parent(s)/guardian(s) or household members.

B.(16) Disciplinary practices shall be according to the following definition and requirements and shall be described in the written policies of the day care center:

B.(16)(a) The discipline practices which caregivers use with children shall be consistent with this definition: "Discipline is training that develops self-control, character and social competence";

B.(16)(b) No corporal punishment shall be used except when authorized in writing by the parent(s)/guardian(s); corporal punishment shall not exceed guidelines established in Section 20-7-490(c)(1)(a) through (e) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976 amended;

B.(16)(c) Appropriate limits or rules shall be those necessary to safeguard children and premises and shall be explained on the child's level of understanding;

B.(16)(d) Staff shall not deprive children of food, liquids, naps or bathroom facilities;

B.(16)(e) Each child day care center has the option to prohibit corporal punishment;

B.(16)(f) No verbal abuse, such as inappropriate language or abusive voice commands, etc., shall be permitted;

B.(16)(g) No cruel, harsh or unusual punishment or treatment such as washing a child's mouth with soap shall be permitted;

B.(16)(h) Unsupervised isolation shall not be allowed. The child shall be in the same room within sight of staff and facing staff if isolation from the group is used.

B.(17) The operator or director shall furnish all staff members and parent(s)/guardian(s) of enrolled children with a copy of the disciplinary policies; review those policies with all staff and parent(s)/guardian(s); and obtain from each staff member and parent(s)/guardian(s), a signed, dated statement that he/she has read and understands the policies and the consequences of violation of the policies. Statements signed by staff and parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be maintained on file in the facility and shall be reviewed, signed and dated by each staff member and parent(s)/guardian(s) annually.

B.(18) The day care center offering overnight care shall comply with the following requirements:

B.(18)(a) The director shall make arrangements with parent(s)/guardian(s) for night clothes;

B.(18)(b) Staff shall provide toys or books for quiet activities or for the child to take to bed with him/her;

B.(18)(c) In consultation with parent(s)/guardian(s), staff shall give special consideration to the child displaying unusual anxiety symptoms or having difficulty making an adjustment to overnight care;

B.(18)(d) Records maintained for each child enrolled in overnight care shall include information regarding family bedtime routines and other information which would assist staff in providing a smooth transition for the child.

Director@Daycare.com