8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.206

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

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.206 - STATEMENT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

A. At the time of enrollment, and upon amendments to policies and procedures, the center must give the parent(s)/guardian(s) the center's policies and procedures and provide the opportunity to ask questions. Written copies must be available either electronically or in hard copy. The center must obtain a signed document stating that the parent(s)/guardian(s) have received the policies and procedures, and by signing the policies and procedures document, the parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to follow, accept the conditions of, and give authorization and approval for the activities described in the policies and procedures.

B. The written policies and procedures must be developed, implemented, and followed, and must include at a minimum the following information:

1. The center's purpose and its philosophy on child care;

2. The ages of children accepted;

3. The hours the center is open, specific hours during which special programs are offered, and holidays when the center is closed;

4. The procedure regarding inclement and excessively hot weather;

5. The procedure concerning admission and registration of children including whether non-immunized or under immunized children are enrolled in the program;

6. An itemized fee schedule;

7. The procedure for identifying where children are at all times including times of transition;

8. The center's procedure on positive guidance, behavior expectations, positive instruction, supporting positive behaviors, as well as strategies and techniques for supporting children with challenging behaviors, including how the center will:

a. Promote responsive and positive child, staff, and family relationships and interactions;

b. Create and maintain a program-wide culture that promotes children's mental health, social, and emotional well-being;

c. Implement teaching strategies supporting positive behavior, pro-social peer interaction, and overall social and emotional competence in young children; and,

d. Provide individualized social and emotional intervention supports for children who need them, including methods for understanding child behavior; and developing, adopting, and implementing a team-based positive behavior support plan with the intent to reduce challenging behavior and prevent suspensions and expulsions.

9. How decisions are made and what steps are taken prior to the suspension, expulsion, or request to parents or guardians to withdraw a child from care due to concerns about the child's behavioral issues. These procedures must be consistent with the center's policy on guidance and positive instruction, and include documentation of the steps taken to understand and respond to challenging behavior including:

a. Identify and consult with an early childhood mental health consultant, as defined in section 26.5-3-701, C.R.S., or other specialist as needed.

10. The procedure, including notification of parent(s)/guardian(s), for handling children's illnesses, accidents, and injuries;

11. The procedures for emergencies and disaster preparedness such as but not limited to lost children, tornadoes, fires, shelter in place, lockdown, active shooter on premises, reunification with families after emergency or disaster, and evacuating children with disabilities as specified in rule section 2.136, of the "General Rules for Child Care Facilities";

12. The procedure for transporting children, if applicable, including transportation arrangements and parental permission for excursions and related activities;

13. The procedure for governing field trips, television and video viewing, and special activities, including staff responsibility for the supervision of children;

14. Media and internet usage policy outlining screen and media use related to their curriculum. The media plan must have information on ongoing communication with children about online safe practices for children over the age of five (5);

15. The procedure on children's safety related to riding in a vehicle, seating, supervision, and emergency procedures on the road;

16. The procedure for releasing children from the center only to persons for whom the center has written authorization and the procedure for picking-up the child during an emergency;

17. The procedures followed when a child is picked up from the center after the center is closed or not picked up at all, and to ensure that all children are picked up before the staff leave for the day;

18. The procedure for caring for children who arrive late to the center and their class/group is away from the center on a field trip or excursion;

19. The procedure for storing and administering children's medication and delegation of medication administration in compliance with sections 12-255-101 through 12-255-136, C.R.S., of the "Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act";

20. The procedure concerning children's personal belongings and money;

21. The provision of meals and snacks;

22. The procedure for diapering, toilet training, and toileting;

23. The procedure for allowing visitors to the center;

24. The procedure for conducting parent and staff conferences to partner with the parents(s)/guardian(s) to discuss the child's progress, social, emotional, and physical needs;

25. The procedure for filing a complaint about child care, including the name, address and telephone number of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (see rule section 2.125 of the General Rules for Child Care Facilities);

26. The procedure for reporting of child abuse, including the name of the county department of social/ human services and phone number of where a child abuse report should be made (see rule section 2.126, of the General Rules for Child Care Facilities);

27. The procedure of the protection of infants from secondhand and thirdhand smoke;

28. The procedure for establishing safe sleep environments for infants including how staff will supervise and physically check on infants who are sleeping;

29. The procedure for dressing children appropriately for the weather; and

30. Notification when child care service is withdrawn and when parent(s)/guardian(s) withdraw their children from the center.

C. Policies and procedures must be reviewed annually. Any changes must be incorporated and must be communicated to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

8 CCR 1402-1-2.206

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