(1)  General 





        (A)  All indoor and outdoor equipment must be 


well made and safe.  There must be no sharp edges, 


splinters, or nails sticking out. 





        (B)  Damaged equipment must be repaired or 


removed from the room or playground immediately. 





        (C)  Equipment must be kept clean by washing 


frequently with soap and water. 





        (D)  There must be age-appropriate equipment and 


furnishings for each age group in attendance. 





        (E)  Equipment and space must be provided for 


climbing, crawling, and pulling without the restraint of 


playpens or cribs. 





        (F)  Individual lockers, separate hooks and shelves 


or other containers, placed at children's reaching level, must 


be provided for each child's belongings.  hangers at child 


height are acceptable for storage of outer wear. 


 


(2)  Indoor Play Equipment 





        (A)  Large pieces of equipment must be secured or 


supported so that they will not fall on children. 





        (B)  Equipment must be suitable for quiet and 


active play needs of all children enrolled. 





        (C)  There must be a variety of educational 


materials and play equipment so that each child can take 


part in many kinds of play throughout the day. 





        (D)  There must be an adequate amount of 


equipment available for each child to have at least two 


options during free play time. 





        (E)  Educational materials and play equipment 


must be displayed within children's reach so that they can 


select and return items independently. 





        (F)  Toys, educational and play materials must be 


organized.  (Example:  Interest/activity centers with 


compatible items arranged together.) 





        (G)  Educational aids must be provided including:  


toys for active play, quiet play, crib toys, make-believe play 


materials, books, music, and art materials. 





        (H)  Teaching aids that are small or that have small 


parts that can be inhaled or swallowed must be inaccessible 


to infants and toddlers. 


 


(3)  Outdoor Play Equipment 





        (A)  There must be outdoor play equipment for 


children who are in care for more than 3 daylight hours. 





        (B)  All outdoor play equipment must be sufficient 


in amount and variety so that children can take part in many 


kinds of play each day. 





        (C)  All outdoor play equipment must be placed to 


avoid accidents.  (Example:  Swings placed out of children's 


traffic paths.) 





        (D)  There must be a resilient surface under 


climbers and swings.  Retainer structures for loose material, 


such as sand or gravel, must be placed at least four feet 


away from equipment or the area of a swing. 





        (E)  Supports for climbers, swings, and other heavy 


equipment that could cause injury if toppled must be 


securely anchored to the ground, even if the equipment is 


designed to be portable. 


 


(4)  Naptime and Sleeping Equipment 





        (A)  There must be equipment for napping or 


sleeping for each preschool child who is in care for 6 hours 


or more. 





        (B)  All nap/sleep equipment must be in good 


condition and comply with the following requirements: 





                1.  Individual cots or two-inch mats must 


be provided for preschool and school age children and for 


mature toddlers. 





                2.  Individual beds or cots must be 


provided for children sleeping for extended period of more 


than 2 1/2 hours, such as during nighttime care. 





                3.  A clean sheet or towel must be used to 


cover whatever the child sleeps on. 





                4.  A clean coverlet must be available to 


each child. 





                5.  Each infant must have an individual 


crib (at least 22" x 36") with an open top.  Mattresses and 


foam pads must be covered with safe, waterproof material.  


Soiled sheets and coverlets must be replaced immediately.