Rule 591-1-1-.03 - Activities(1) The Center shall provide a daily planned program of varied and developmentally appropriate activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and literacy development of each child. Center Staff shall use a variety of teaching methods to accommodate the needs of the children's different learning styles.(2) Current lesson plans shall be kept on site and reflect appropriate instruction practices and activities to support children's development. The Center shall have sufficient and varied play and learning equipment and materials to support the above program of activities in all developmental areas.(3) Opportunities for each child to make choices in a variety of activities shall be offered.(4) A Child with Special Needs shall be integrated into the activities provided by the Center unless contraindicated medically or by written parental agreement.(5) A variety of activities shall be planned for each group that include, but are not limited to: (a) Indoor and outdoor play;(b) A balance of quiet and active periods;(c) A balance of supervised free choice and caregiver-directed activities;(d) Individual, small group and large group activities;(e) Large muscle activities, such as but not limited to, running, riding, climbing, balancing, jumping, throwing, or digging;(f) Small muscle activities, such as but not limited to, building with blocks or construction toys, use of puzzles, shapes, nesting or stacking toys, pegs, lacing, sorting beads, or clay;(g) Language experiences, such as but not limited to, listening, talking, rhymes, fingerplays, stories, use of film strips, recordings or flannel boards;(h) Arts and crafts, such as but not limited to, painting, coloring, cutting, or pasting;(i) Dramatic play, such as but not limited to, play in a home center, with dolls, puppets, or dress up;(j) Rhythm and music, such as but not limited to, listening, singing, dancing, or making music; and(k) Nature and science experiences, such as but not limited to, measuring, pouring, activities related to the "world around us" such as nature walks, plants, leaves or weather or experiences in using the five senses through sensory play.(6) Activities for Children Under Three. Children less than three (3) years of age shall not spend more than one-half (1/2) hour of time consecutively in confining equipment, such as swings, highchairs, jumpseats, carriers or walkers. Children shall use such equipment only when they are awake. Such children shall be allowed time to play on the floor daily. Infants shall have supervised tummy time on the floor daily when they are awake.(7) Outdoor Activities. Outdoor activities shall be provided daily, weather permitting, in accordance with the following: (a) Centers operating five (5) hours or more per day shall provide each child who is not an infant at least one and one-half (11/2) hours of outdoor activity per day and infants shall spend at least one (1) hour daily outdoors.(b) Centers operating less than five (5) hours per day shall provide a brief outdoor period for the children daily.(c) A child may be excused from outdoor activities for a limited period of time if there is documentation that outdoor activity is medically contraindicated or there is an occasional written request by the parent that the child be excused from outdoor activities for a very limited amount of time because of special circumstances.(8) Individual Attention. Personnel shall provide individual attention to each child. Examples include, but are not limited to: responding promptly to the child's distress signals and need for comfort; playing with and talking to the children; and providing and assisting the child with personal care in a manner appropriate to the child's age level, i.e., providing the child privacy in dressing, diapering and toileting functions as the developmental age of the child dictates.(9) Staff shall not engage in, or allow children or other adults to engage in, activities that could be detrimental to a child's health or well-being, such as but not limited to, horse play, rough play, wrestling, and picking up a child in a manner that could cause injury.(10) Routines for Children. Personnel shall provide routines for toileting, eating, resting, napping (depending upon the age of the children), intervals between activities and doing school homework, if any. Staff shall assist and encourage each child to become independent in the development of self-help skills, such as washing hands and face, dressing, eating and toileting.(11) Children shall be allowed to go to the toilet and get a drink of water as they feel the need.(12) Supervised nap or rest periods during the day shall be provided for children under five (5) years of age. Children who do not sleep during nap or rest periods shall not be required to remain lying down for more than one (1) hour. Quiet activities for School-age Children and other children who are not asleep shall be provided.(13) Schedules. A daily schedule for each group shall be developed to reflect routines and activities. Schedules shall be flexible but routinely followed to provide structure. The schedule must be posted in each group's room or area and made available to Parent(s) upon request.(14) Media Activities. The use of entertainment media, such as television, videotaped programs or movies and video or computer games shall be limited to: no more than two (2) hours daily per child or group and shall be provided only at times when alternative activities are available for children who choose not to participate. Entertainment media shall be age appropriate in accordance with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).(15) Evening Activities. During evening and night-time care, activities shall be provided based on children's ages, hours of care and length of time in care. Quiet activities and experiences shall be available immediately prior to bedtime.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.03
O.C.G.A. § 20-1A-1 et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Activities" adopted. F. Dec. 23, 1997; eff. Mar. 1, 1998, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Aug. 25, 2008; eff. Sept. 14, 2008.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 2, 2009; eff. Dec. 22, 2009.Amended: F. May 16, 2013; eff. June 5, 2013.Amended: F. Dec. 4, 2015; eff. Dec. 24, 2015.Amended: F. May 26, 2017; eff. June 15, 2017.