DCF 251.07 Note
Note: With parental consent and consultation, it is recommended that centers who care for children who have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) coordinate programming activities with the local school district or Birth to Three agency.
DCF 251.07(1)(b)
(b) The program schedule shall be planned to provide a flexible balance each day of:
DCF 251.07(1)(b)3.
3. Indoor and if the center is in operation more than 3 hours per day, outdoor activities.
DCF 251.07(1)(c)
(c) Television may be used only to supplement the daily plan for children. No child may be required to watch television. Other activities shall be available.
DCF 251.07(1)(d)
(d) Routines such as toileting and eating and intervals between activities shall be planned to avoid keeping children waiting in lines or assembled in large groups.
DCF 251.07(1)(e)2.
2. Daily periods when a variety of experiences are concurrently available for the children to select their own activities.
DCF 251.07(1)(e)4.
4. If a center is in operation for more than 3 hours per day, daily outdoor activities except during inclement weather or when not advisable for health reasons.
DCF 251.07(1)(f)
(f) Child care workers shall give children individual attention.
DCF 251.07(1)(g)
(g) A center that is open in the early morning and late afternoon shall have a written plan for activities which meet the individual needs of the children during those time periods. The plan shall include:
DCF 251.07(1)(g)2.
2. Use of materials and engagement in activities which for the most part do not duplicate materials or activities planned for the major part of the program.
DCF 251.07(1)(h)
(h) The program as implemented shall reflect the center's written policies.
DCF 251.07(2)(a)1.
1. In this subsection, “
time-out period” means a break from the large group that a child care worker offers a child to provide the child an opportunity to calm and regain composure while being supported by the child care worker.
DCF 251.07(2)(a)2.
2. “Redirection" means directing the child's attention to a different program activity.
DCF 251.07(2)(b)
(b) Each child care center shall develop and implement a written policy that provides for positive guidance, redirection, and the setting of clear-cut limits for the children. The policy shall be designated to help a child develop self-control, self-esteem, and respect for the rights of others.
DCF 251.07(2)(c)
(c) A center may use a time-out period to handle a child's unacceptable behavior only if all of the following conditions are met:
DCF 251.07(2)(c)2.
2. The child care worker offers the child the time-out period in a non-humiliating manner.
DCF 251.07(2)(c)6.
6. If the child care worker needs additional adult support, another child care worker comes to the classroom setting.
DCF 251.07(2)(e)
(e) Actions that may be psychologically, emotionally or physically painful, discomforting, dangerous or potentially injurious are prohibited. Examples of prohibited actions include all of the following:
DCF 251.07(2)(e)1.
1. Spanking, hitting, pinching, shaking, slapping, twisting, throwing or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment.
DCF 251.07(2)(e)2.
2. Verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about the child or the child's family.
DCF 251.07(2)(e)3.
3. Physical restraint, binding or tying to restrict movement or enclosing in a confined space such as a closet, locked room, box or similar cubicle.
DCF 251.07(2)(e)5.
5. Actions that are cruel, aversive, frightening or humiliating to the child.
DCF 251.07 Note
Note: Prohibited actions by an employee or volunteer to a child by a staff member must be reported to the department within 24 hours after the occurrence under s.
DCF 251.04 (3) (i).
DCF 251.07(3)(a)(a) Indoor furnishings and equipment shall be safe and durable. The equipment and furnishings shall be:
DCF 251.07(3)(a)1.
1. Scaled to the developmental level, size and ability of the children.
DCF 251.07(3)(a)2.
2. Of sturdy construction with no sharp, rough, loose, protruding, pinching or pointed edges, or areas of entrapment, in good operating condition, and anchored when necessary.
DCF 251.07(3)(a)3.
3. Placed to avoid danger of injury or collision and to permit freedom of action.
DCF 251.07(3)(a)4.
4. Placed over an energy-absorbing surface, when equipment is 4 feet or more in height.
DCF 251.07(3)(a)5.
5. Used in accordance with all manufacturer's instructions and any manufacturer's recommendations that may affect the safety of children in care.
DCF 251.07(3)(b)
(b) A center shall provide equipment and supplies according to the following criteria:
DCF 251.07(3)(b)1.
1. Child development shall be fostered through selection of a variety of equipment that will:
DCF 251.07(3)(b)2.
2. A center shall provide sufficient indoor play equipment to allow each child a choice of at least 3 activities involving equipment when all children are using equipment.
DCF 251.07(3)(b)3.
3. A center shall provide sufficient outdoor play equipment to allow each child at least one activity involving equipment when all children are using equipment.
DCF 251.07(3)(c)
(c) The quantity of indoor and outdoor play equipment specified in par.
(b) 2. and
3. shall be provided based on the maximum licensed capacity of the center.
DCF 251.07(3)(d)
(d) Equipment and materials which reflect an awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity shall be provided.
DCF 251.07(3)(e)
(e) Shelves shall be provided for equipment and supplies in rooms used by children. Equipment and supplies shall be arranged in an orderly fashion so that children may select, use, and replace items.
DCF 251.07(3)(f)
(f) Trampolines and inflatable bounce surfaces on the premises shall not be accessible to children and shall not be used by children in care.
DCF 251.07(3)(g)
(g) Tables and seating shall be scaled to the proper height and size for the children's comfort and reach.
DCF 251.07(3)(h)
(h) There shall be sufficient storage space for the clothing and personal belongings of each child in attendance. For children 2 years of age and older, the space for outer garment storage shall be at child level.
DCF 251.07(3)(i)
(i) Furnishings, toys, and other equipment shall be washed or cleaned when they become soiled.
DCF 251.07(4)(a)
(a) A child under 5 years of age in care for more than 4 hours shall have a nap or rest period.
DCF 251.07(4)(b)
(b) Child care workers shall permit a child who does not sleep after 30 minutes and a child who awakens to get up and to have quiet time through the use of equipment or activities which will not disturb other children.
DCF 251.07(4)(c)
(c) Each child under one year of age who naps or sleeps shall be provided with a safe, washable crib or playpen that meets the applicable safety standards in
16 CFR Part 1219 or
1220 and shall be placed at least 2 feet from the nearest sleeping child. Cribs or playpens may be placed end-to-end if a solid partition separates the crib or playpen and an aisle not less than 2 feet in width is maintained between sleeping surfaces.
DCF 251.07(4)(cm)
(cm) Each child one year of age and older who has a nap or rest period shall be provided with a sleeping surface that is clean, safe, washable, and placed at least 2 feet from the nearest sleeping child. Sleeping surfaces may be placed end-to-end if a solid partition separates children and an aisle not less than 2 feet in width is maintained between sleeping surfaces. The sleeping surface shall be any of the following:
DCF 251.07(4)(d)
(d) Each child one year of age and older not using a sleeping bag shall be provided with an individually identified sheet and blanket that may be used only by that child until it is washed.
DCF 251.07(4)(e)
(e) Bedding shall be maintained and stored in a clean and sanitary manner, replaced immediately if wet or soiled, and washed after every 5 uses, at a minimum. A crib or playpen shall be washed and disinfected between changes in occupancy.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)2.
2. Center-provided transportation time shall be included in determining the amount of time children are present for the purposes of subd.
1. DCF 251.07(5)(a)3.
3. Food shall be served at flexible intervals, but no child may go without nourishment for longer than 3 hours.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)4.
4. At a minimum, children shall be provided food for each meal and snack that meets the U.S. department of agriculture child and adult care food program minimum meal requirements for amounts and types of food.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)4m.
4m. Additional portions of vegetables, fruits, bread, and milk shall be available.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)5.b.
b. Be planned at least one week in advance, dated and kept on file for 3 months.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)6.
6. Any changes in a menu as planned shall be recorded on the copies of the menu kept on file and posted for parents.
DCF 251.07(5)(a)6m.
6m. When snacks are provided by parents for all children, a record of the snack served shall be posted in an area accessible to parents.
