8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.335

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.335 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. The entire premises are subject to inspection for licensing and safety purposes including, but not limited to, the entire residence and where care is to be provided, the grounds surrounding the residence, the basement, the attic, the storage shed, garage or carport, and any vehicles used for transportation of children in care.

B. Any other business activities that might be hazardous to the health, safety, or well-being of children, or that interferes with the supervision of children, cannot be operated or conducted on the premises of the family child care home during child care business hours.

C. Mobile homes used as family child care homes must be secured, attached, skirted, properly installed and stabilized, and have at least two (2) exits.

D. The premises of the family child care home must be kept safe and free from hazards to health at all times.

E. All weapons on the premises of the licensed family child care home must be unloaded, locked, and inaccessible to children. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, air rifles, bb guns, paintball guns, bows, hunting knives, swords, hunting sling shots, and martial arts weapons.

1. Weapons, ammunition, and arrows must be locked and stored separately. Trigger locks are acceptable.

2. Antique and other guns used for decoration must be unloaded, inoperable, and have the firing pin removed, if applicable.

3. Weapons must not be transported in any vehicle in which children are riding unless the weapons are made inoperable and inaccessible.

4. Equally qualified providers, qualified substitute, staff members and volunteers are prohibited from carrying firearms as defined in section 18-1-901(3)(h), C.R.S., on the premises, both indoor and outdoor, and in any vehicle in which children are transported.

5. The primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified provider, qualified substitute, and staff members must know the location of any weapons in the family child care home.

F. All garbage and other wastes must be stored in a manner that is inaccessible to children and disposed of in a manner that does not constitute a health hazard or nuisance.

G. Fire hazards such as defective electrical or gas appliances and electric cords, dangerous or defective heating or cooking equipment, or exposed wiring, must be repaired by a qualified repair and/or service company or removed from the family child care home.

H. All stairways must be free from hazards, and open-sided portions that are located more than thirty (30) inches above the floor or grade below must be equipped with banisters or handrails within reach of children. The slats on all railings must be no wider than four (4) inches apart or modified to prevent entrapment.

I. Stairways of more than four (4) steps, in indoor and licensed outdoor areas, that are accessible to children must have gates that prevent access from the area being used when children under two (2) years old are present. The gate may be taken down as long as the family child care home primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified provider, qualified substitute, or staff member is providing direct supervision of the child who is learning climbing skills on the stairs.

J. Because of the risk of serious physical injury to a child, providers, employees, substitutes, volunteers, and visitors must never step over a gate while holding a child or lift a child over a gate.

K. Drinking water obtained from a source other than a regulated public water system must be tested annually for total coliform, e. Coli bacteria, and nitrate, at a minimum. The results must be in compliance with rule section 11.45 of the "Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations" located in 5 CCR 1002-11. Results must be maintained and available for review.

The Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (January 14, 2023), are herein incorporated by reference. No later editions or amendments are incorporated. These rules are available at no cost from the Colorado Department of Public Health And Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246; or at www.sos.state.co.us. These rules are also available for inspection and copying at the Department, 710 S. Ash Street, Bldg. C, Denver, Colorado 80246, during regular business hours.

L. The following types of animals and their enclosures must be inaccessible to children in care at all times: psittacine/hooked beak birds, ferrets, primates, and any poisonous animals.

M. Any animal(s) and fish that are dangerous, and/or pose a potential threat to a child's safety or health must be confined in a place away from the child care area and inaccessible to children.

N. Any animals in the family child care home must be vaccinated as required by state law and local ordinance, and proof of vaccination must be available for review by the licensing specialist.

O. Children over thirty-six (36) months of age having direct physical contact with poultry, reptiles, and amphibians must be under the direct supervision of the primary provider, equally qualified provider, applicant 2, or the qualified substitute.

P. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, and all staff must wash their hands with water and soap after: touching or handling poultry, reptiles, and amphibians; feeding or handling their food; after handling animal feces or supplies (for example, cages, terrariums, aquariums, water bowls, and toys); and after cleaning the animal's habitat.

Q. Children must wash their hands with water and soap after: touching or handling poultry, reptiles, and amphibians and feeding or handling their food. Children are prohibited from handling animal feces or cleaning the animal's habitat.

R. When around animals, the primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, all staff, and children must wash hands after removing dirty clothes or shoes, before eating and drinking, and before preparing food or drinks.

S. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, and all staff must always supervise handwashing for children.

T. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, all staff, and children must use hand sanitizer if running water and soap are not available. If only hand sanitizer is used, hands must be washed with soap and water as soon as possible.

U. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, and all staff must clean and disinfect all indoor surface areas where poultry, reptiles and amphibians have been that are accessible to children.

V. Chickens, reptiles, or amphibians must not be allowed to roam freely through a home or outdoor play area. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, and all staff must always supervise chickens, reptiles or amphibians when outside of their habitat to prevent accidents and contamination.

W. Children must not be permitted to mistreat animals.

X. All adult exercise equipment must be inaccessible to children.

Y. Indoor and outdoor equipment, materials, and furnishings must be sturdy, safe, and free of hazards.

8 CCR 1402-1-2.335

47 CR 04, February 25, 2024, effective 3/16/2024