8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.317

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

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.317 - COMMUNICATION, EMERGENCY AND SECURITY PROCEDURES

A. The family child care home must have a working unblocked telephone that has the capacity to receive all incoming and reverse 911 calls, and record voicemails during child care hours.

1. The telephone must be on the premises in the general area of the primary provider.

2. The telephone number must be made available to each parent and the Department.

3. The following emergency telephone numbers must be posted in a prominent and conspicuous location easily observable to those caring for children:

a. 911 or the alternate emergency number for local fire or police;

b. Name and phone number of at least one (1) designated emergency substitute for the provider;

c. Name and physical address of the family child care home;

d. Nearest hospital or emergency medical clinic;

e. Local health department;

f. Rocky Mountain Poison Center number at 1-800-222-1222; and

g. Location of children's emergency numbers.

4. The telephone and alternative emergency telephone numbers for parent(s) or guardian(s) and other authorized emergency contacts of each child in care must be accessible in one (1) designated place.

5. If 911 is not available, the provider must have a plan for accessing emergency transportation at all times.

6. The primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified provider, or qualified substitute must promptly notify the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) when, injuries, or illnesses, not requiring medical attention, occur while in care.

B. Emergency procedures

1. The provider must have a written fire safety and evacuation plan that is reviewed at least annually. This plan must include:

a. Primary and secondary emergency escape routes;

b. The procedure for assisting persons unable to escape unassisted;

c. How to account for all persons that have evacuated;

d. A primary and alternate means of notifying emergency responders of a fire or other emergency;

e. An outside meeting location; and

f. The location of fire extinguishers.

2. The primary provider must have a written emergency plan for severe weather, lockdown, shelter-in-place situations, and active shooter situations that is reviewed at least annually. The plan must include the items listed in the rule sections 2.126, 2.127, 2.128, 2.129, 2.130, and 2.131 of the "General Rules for Child Care Facilities" as well as these additional requirements:

a. The procedures that will be followed;

b. How the family child care home will function during the emergency;

c. Prompt notification of parent(s) or guardian(s);

d. When local authorities will be notified; and

e. How emergency transportation will be provided.

C. Release of Children

1. The provider must release the child only to the person(s) sixteen (16) years of age or older to whom the parent or guardian has given written authorization. If the provider who releases the child does not know the person, picture identification must be required to assure that the person is authorized to pick-up the child. Written authorization must be maintained in the child's record. In an emergency situation, the child may be released to a person twelve (12) years of age or older for whom the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) has given verbal authorization.

D. Sign In/Out Procedure

1. The provider must maintain a daily sign in/out method containing the date; the child's name; the time that the child arrived at and left the family child care home; and the parent, guardian, or authorized person's signature. A full signature or other unique identifier is required by the parent(s) or guardian(s) every time the child arrives at or leaves the family child care home. The provider may sign in or out children who arrive directly from school or an activity as needed on a daily basis. The provider must use their full signature or other unique identifier. The parent(s) or guardian(s) must provide a signature on a weekly basis to verify the record.

E. Visitors

1. All non-resident visitors to the family child care home during child care hours, including friends of the provider's own children, must be documented on the sign in/out log, including the name, date, arrival, and departure times.

8 CCR 1402-1-2.317

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