Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers

(1) The licensee shall not accept for care a child under one month of age.

(2) Facility. The licensee shall:

(a) Provide a separate, safe play area for the child under one year of age, or the child not walking;

(b) In centers licensed for thirteen or more children, care for the child under one year of age in rooms or areas separate from older children, with:

(i) Not more than eight children under one year of age to a room or area; and

(ii) Handwashing facilities in or adjacent to each such room or area.

(a) The diaper changing area is:

(i) Separate from food preparation areas;

(ii) Adjacent to a handwashing sink; and

(iii) Sanitized between use for different children; or

(iv) Protected by a disposable covering discarded after each use.

(b) The designated change area is impervious to moisture and washable;

(c) Diaper changing procedures are posted at the changing area;

(d) Disposable towels or clean, reusable towels, laundered between usage for different children, are used for cleaning the child;

(e) Staff wash hands after diapering the child or helping the child with toileting;

(f) Disposable diapers, a commercial diaper service, or reusable diapers supplied by the child's family are used;

(g) Soiled diapers are placed without rinsing into a separate, cleanable, covered container provided with a waterproof liner before transporting to the laundry, parent, or acceptable disposal;

(h) Soiled diapers are removed from the facility daily or more often unless the licensee uses a commercial diaper service;

(i) Toilet training is initiated when the child indicates readiness and in consultation with the child's parent;

(j) Potty chairs, when in use, are located on washable, impervious surfaces; and

(k) Toilet training equipment is sanitized after each use.

(a) Bottle feedings.

(i) The licensee or parent may provide the child's bottle feeding in the following manner:

(A) A filled bottle brought from home;

(B) Whole milk or formula in ready-to-feed strength; or

(C) Formula requiring no preparation other than dilution with water, mixed on the premises.

(ii) The licensee shall prepare the child's bottle and nipple in a sanitary manner in an area separate from diapering areas.

(iii) The licensee shall sanitize the child's bottle and nipple between uses.

(iv) The licensee shall label the child's bottle with the child's name and date prepared.

(v) The licensee shall refrigerate a filled bottle if the child does not consume the content immediately and shall discard the bottle's content if the child does not consume the content within twelve hours.

(b) To ensure safety and promote nurturing, the licensee shall ensure staff:

(i) Hold in a semi-sitting position for feedings the infant unable to sit in a high chair, unless such is against medical advice;

(ii) Interact with the child;

(iii) Do not prop a bottle;

(iv) Do not give a bottle to the reclining child, unless the bottle contains water only;

(v) Take the bottle from the child when the child finishes feeding; and

(vi) Keep the child in continuous visual and auditory range.

(c) The licensee shall provide semi-solid food for the infant, upon consultation with the parent, not before the child is four months of age and not later than ten months of age, unless such is not recommended by the child's health care provider.

(6) When the licensee furnishes the infant or child a crib, the licensee shall ensure the crib is:

(a) Sturdy and made of wood, metal, or plastic with secure latching devices; and

(b) Constructed with two and three-eighths inches or less space between vertical slats when the crib is used for an infant six months of age or younger. The licensee may allow an infant to use a crib not meeting the spacing requirement provided the licensee uses crib bumpers or another effective method preventing the infant's body from slipping between the slats.

(8) The licensee shall ensure the infant's or child's crib mattress is:

(a) Snug fitting, preventing the infant from being caught between the mattress and crib side rails; and

(b) Waterproof and easily sanitized.

(a) Large and small muscle development;

(b) Crawling and exploring;

(c) Sensory stimulation;

(d) Social interaction;

(e) Development of communication; and

(f) Learning self-help skills.

(11) Nursing consultation. The licensee licensed for the care of four or more infants shall arrange for regular nursing consultation to include one or more monthly on-site visits by a registered nurse trained or experienced in the care of young children.

(12) In collaboration with the licensee, the nurse shall, advise the center on the:

(a) Operation of the infant care program; and

(b) Implementation of the child health program.

(14) The licensee shall document the nurse's on-site consultations.

(15) The licensee shall ensure the nurse consultant's name and telephone number is posted or otherwise available on the premises.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.020 and 74.15.030. 93-18-001 (Order 3623), §388150-270, filed 8/18/93, effective 9/18/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. 90-23-078 (Order 3103), § 388-150-270, filed 11/20/90, effective 12/21/90.]

Director@Daycare.com

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