DCF 251.08 NoteNote: Information on the required vehicle safety alarm is available in the “child care licensing/information for providers” section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov.
DCF 251.08 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97; CR 03-052: r. and recr. (3) and (7), am. (4) (b) and (5) (d), cr. (4) (d) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; CR 07-102: am. (1), (3) (b), (4) (d), (5) (b) 1. and (6) (b), r. and recr. (2) (a), cr. (3) (c), (4) (b) 2. to 5. and (5) (e), renum. (4) (b) to be (4) (b) 1. and am. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; CR 14-028: cr. (8) Register July 2016 No. 727, eff. 8-1-16; EmR1918: emerg. r. and recr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: r. and recr. Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20.
DCF 251.09DCF 251.09Additional requirements for infant and toddler care.
DCF 251.09(1)(1)Applicability and general requirements.
DCF 251.09(1)(a)(a) Group child care centers providing care and supervision to infants and toddlers shall comply with the additional requirements of this section.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)(am) Prior to admission, the licensee shall obtain written information from a child’s parent or guardian to individualize the program of care for the child. Child care workers shall use the information obtained from parents to provide care to the child. Information shall include all of the following:
DCF 251.09(1)(am)1.1. Schedule of meals and feeding.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)2.2. Types of food introduced and timetable for new foods.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)3.3. Toileting and diapering procedures.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)4.4. Sleep and nap schedule.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)5.5. The child’s way of communicating and being comforted.
DCF 251.09(1)(am)6.6. Developmental and health history.
DCF 251.09 NoteNote: The licensee may use the department’s form, Intake for Child Under 2 Years — Child Care Centers, or the licensee’s own form to record information for individualizing the program of care for each child. Information on how to obtain the department’s form is available on the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or from any regional licensing office in Appendix A.
DCF 251.09(1)(b)(b) Admission information for an infant or toddler shall be on file in the room or area to which the child is assigned and shall be known to the child care worker.
DCF 251.09(1)(c)(c) Child care workers shall document changes in a child’s development and routines every 3 months based on discussion with the parent.
DCF 251.09(1)(d)(d) Each infant and toddler shall be cared for by a regularly assigned child care worker in a self-contained room or area.
DCF 251.09(1)(e)(e) The regularly assigned child care teacher and assistant child care teacher for each group of infants and toddlers shall have a minimum of 10 hours of training in infant and toddler care approved by the department within 6 months after assuming the position. If the training is not part of the required preservice entry-level training under s. DCF 251.05 (3) (f) or (g) it shall be obtained through continuing education.
DCF 251.09(1)(f)(f) Infants and toddlers are restricted to first floors and ground floors having direct grade-level exits unless the building is in compliance with all applicable building codes that permit children to be cared for on other levels. The building inspection report on file with the licensing office shall indicate where care may be provided for children under 30 months of age.
DCF 251.09(1)(g)(g) Safety gates shall be provided at open stairways.
DCF 251.09(1)(h)(h) For centers licensed on or after January 1, 2009, the space occupied by cribs shall be deducted in determining the 35 square feet space requirement under s. DCF 251.06 (7) (a) for each child.
DCF 251.09(1)(i)(i) The number of children under one year of age admitted at any one time may not exceed the number of cribs and playpens.
DCF 251.09(1)(j)(j) Cribs and playpens shall contain a tight-fitting mattress and a mattress covering that fits snugly over the mattress.
DCF 251.09(1)(k)(k) Sheets or blankets used to cover a child one year of age or older shall be kept away from the child’s mouth and nose, and if sleeping in a crib or playpen shall be tucked tightly under the mattress.
DCF 251.09(1)(L)(L) A child under one year of age may not sleep in a crib or playpen that contains soft or loose materials, such as sheepskins, pillows, blankets, flat sheets, bumper pads, bibs, pacifiers with attached soft objects, or stuffed animals. No blankets and other items may be hung on the sides of the crib or playpen.
DCF 251.09(1)(m)(m) An audio monitoring device shall be used in any area or room where children under one year of age are placed to sleep.
DCF 251.09(1)(n)(n) Waterbeds may not be used by children under 2 years of age.
DCF 251.09(2)(2)Daily program. In addition to the requirements under s. DCF 251.07, all of the following apply to the care of infants and toddlers:
DCF 251.09(2)(a)(a) Child care workers shall respond promptly to a crying child’s needs.
DCF 251.09(2)(b)(b) Each infant and each toddler shall be allowed to form and follow his or her own pattern of sleeping and waking.