8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.239

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.239 - DROP-IN PROGRAMS

A. Director Requirements

1. The director or assistant director of an extended hour drop-in child care center operating at least six (6) calendar days per week must be present at the center or involved in director activities at least fifty percent (50%) of the hours of operation of any day the center is in operation.

a. If the director is not on site at the center for a portion of any day that center is in operation, the director must be available by phone.

b. The director must be present in the center at least thirty (30) hours each week.

2. Whenever the director of a drop-in child care center cannot be present fifty percent (50%) of any day the center is in operation, an assistant director that meets one (1) of the following qualifications must be present:

a. At least one (1) year of experience as a qualified early childhood teacher at the drop-in child care center;

b. Eighteen (18) months of experience as a qualified early childhood teacher with children less than twelve (12) years of age and at least six (6) months experience at the drop-in child care center;

c. A Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one (1) of the human services fields below:

(1) Child Development;

(2) Child Psychology;

(3) Early Childhood Education;

(4) Early Childhood Special Education;

(5) Educational Leadership and Administration;

(6) Elementary Education;

(7) Family and Human Development;

(8) Family Studies;

(9) Special Education; or

d. Qualification as an early childhood teacher and completion of at least half of the required coursework for director qualifications, including one (1) of the following administration classes:

(1) Administration Of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs; or

(2) Administration Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions or Introduction to Business.

B. Staff to Child Ratios

1. Drop-in child care centers may follow a ratio of one (1) adult for every eight (8) children for children in a mixed age group of two (2) years of age to twelve (12) years.

2. One (1) to two (2) children, one (1) year of age to two (2) years of age, may join the preschool age group of children for short periods of time for structured activities.

C. Health Care

1. For children attending a drop-in center, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each child must submit a statement of the child's current health status or written verification of a scheduled appointment with a health care provider within thirty (30) calendar days or by the second visit, whichever is longer. The statement of the child's current health status must be signed and dated by a health care provider who has seen the child within the last twelve (12) months, or within the last six (6) months for children less than two and one-half (2 ½) years of age. Subsequent statements are not required if there have been no health changes in the child and the parent(s)/guardian(s) attest in writing to the health status of the child on an annual basis. Children attending drop-in child care with special medical needs must have the statement from a health care provider as indicated in rule section 2.219(B).

D. Rest Time Equipment

1. Drop-in child care centers must provide mats or cots for at least fifty percent (50%) of the licensed capacity of the center.

E. Play-Equipment and Materials

1. Drop-in child care centers must provide indoor gross motor equipment, including, but not limited to, an indoor climbing structure, an open area for indoor, and must provide gross activities at least two (2) times during each six (6) hour period of time.

F. Building Site- Toddler Program

1. A toddler program located in a drop-in child care center licensed for five (5) or fewer toddlers may be separated from the rest of the center by a five (5) foot wall.

2. Drop-in child care centers must provide a minimum of one (1) sink and one (1) toilet for each twenty (20) or fewer children.

3. Toilet facilities are not required to be located in the toddler classroom for drop-in child care centers licensed for ten (10) or fewer toddlers.

8 CCR 1402-1-2.239

46 CR 22, November 25, 2023, effective 12/15/2023