Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-4-440

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 24, June 13, 2024

Section 28-4-440 - Infant and toddler programs

(a) Infant and toddler programs shall be conducted on the ground floor only.

(b) Each unit of infants and each unit of toddlers shall be separate from each unit of older children.

(c) Floor furnaces shall be prohibited.

(d) A sleeping area separate from the play area shall be provided for infants.

(e) A crib or playpen shall be provided for each infant in care at any one time. Cribs and playpens shall be maintained in good condition. Clean individual bedding shall be provided.

(f) Each licensee shall ensure that the following requirements are met:

(1) The use of stacking cribs, cribs with water mattresses, or bassinets shall be prohibited.

(2) Cribs and playpens shall have slats not more than 2³/₈ inches apart.

(3) All sides of each crib or playpen shall be up while the crib or playpen is in use.

(4) On and after December 28, 2012, each licensee shall ensure that no crib purchased before June 28, 2011 is in use in the facility.

(g) Each licensee shall make any necessary changes to follow the recommendations of any consumer warning or recall of a crib or a playpen as soon as the warning or recall is known.

(h) Each licensee shall develop and implement safe sleep policies and practices for infants and toddlers and shall ensure that the policies and practices are discussed with the parent or legal guardian of each child before the first day of care. The safe sleep policies and practices shall include the following requirements:

(1) Each staff member who cares for children and each volunteer who cares for children shall follow the safe sleep policies and practices of the child care center.

(2) Each staff member who cares for infants and each volunteer who cares for infants shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met:

(A) Each infant shall nap or sleep in a crib or a playpen.

(B) An infant shall not nap or sleep in the same crib or playpen as that occupied by another infant or child at the same time.

(C) If an infant falls asleep on a surface other than a crib or playpen, the infant shall be moved to a crib or playpen.

(D) Each infant shall be placed on the infant's back to nap or sleep.

(E) When an infant is able to turn over independently, the infant shall be placed on the infant's back but then shall be allowed to remain in a position preferred by the infant. Wedges or infant positioners shall not be used.

(F) Each infant shall sleep in a crib or a playpen that is free of any soft items, which may include pillows, quilts, heavy blankets, bumpers, and toys.

(G) If a lightweight blanket is used, the blanket shall be tucked along the sides and foot of the mattress. The blanket shall not be placed higher than the infant's chest. The head of the infant shall remain uncovered. Any infant may nap or sleep in sleep clothing, including sleepers and sleep sacks, in place of a lightweight blanket.

(i) When children are awake, they shall not be left unattended in cribs or other confinement for more than 30 minutes.

(j) An adult-size rocking chair shall be provided for each unit of infants.

(k) Children not held for feeding shall have low chairs and tables, infant seats with trays, or high chairs with a wide base and a safety strap.

(l) Either individually labeled towels and washcloths or disposable products shall be provided.

(m) Items that children can place in their mouths shall be washed and sanitized daily and shall be washed and sanitized before being used by another child, if contaminated by saliva or other bodily fluids.

(n) Each licensee shall ensure that at least one staff member who meets one of the following staff requirements is present for each unit of infants and each unit of toddlers:

(1) Option 1: An individual who meets the qualifications of K.A.R. 28-4-429(b) and has at least three months' experience caring for infants and toddlers;

(2) option 2: a licensed L.P.N. or R.N. with three months' experience in pediatrics or in licensed child care centers enrolling infants and toddlers; or

(3) option 3: a child development associate credential in infant and toddler care.

(o) Each licensee shall ensure that the following program requirements are met:

(1) Daily activities shall contribute to the following:

(A) Gross and fine motor development;

(B) visual-motor coordination;

(C) language stimulation; and

(D) social and personal growth.

(2) Infants and toddlers shall spend time outdoors daily unless extreme weather conditions prevail.

(p) Each licensee shall ensure that the following food service requirements are met:

(1) The nitrate content of water for children under one year of age shall not exceed 10 milligrams per liter (10 mg/l) as nitrogen.

(2) Drinking water shall be available to each child at all times when the child is in care.

(3) Infants shall be held when bottle-fed until they can hold their own bottles.

(4) Infants and toddlers shall not be allowed to sleep with bottles in their mouths.

(5) Each bottle that contains prepared formula or breast milk shall be refrigerated with the nipple covered. The bottle shall be labeled with the child's name, the contents, and the date received and shall be used within 24 hours of the date on the label. If a child does not finish a bottle, the contents of the bottle shall be discarded. No formula or breast milk shall be heated in a microwave oven.

(6) Solid foods shall be offered when the program director and the parent or legal guardian of a child determine that the child is ready for solid foods. Opened containers of solid foods shall be labeled with child's name, the contents, and the date opened. Containers shall be covered and refrigerated. The food shall be used within three calendar days of the date opened. Food in previously opened containers shall be reheated only once and shall not be served to another child.

(q) Each licensee shall ensure that the following toileting requirements are met:

(1) Children's clothing shall be changed whenever wet or soiled.

(2) Each child shall have at least two complete changes of clothing.

(3) Handwashing facilities shall be in or adjacent to the diaper-changing area.

(4) A changing table shall be provided for each unit of infants and each unit of toddlers.

(5) Each changing table shall have an impervious, undamaged surface. Each table shall be sturdy and shall be equipped with railings or safety straps.

(6) Changing tables shall be sanitized after each use by washing with a disinfectant solution of 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water or with an appropriate commercial disinfectant.

(7) Wet or soiled washable diapers or training pants shall be stored in a labeled, covered container or plastic bag and shall be returned home with the parent.

(8) Wet or soiled disposable diapers shall be placed in a covered container or plastic bag, which shall be emptied daily.

(9) There shall be one potty chair or child-sized toilet for every five toddlers. When a potty chair is used, the following requirements shall be met:

(A) Potty chairs shall be left in the toilet room.

(B) The wastes shall be disposed of immediately in a flush toilet.

(C) The container shall be sanitized after each use and shall be washed with soap and water daily.

(D) Potty chairs shall not be counted as toilets.

(10) Each individual shall wash that individual's hands after diapering, assisting a child with toileting, or changing a child's wet or soiled clothing.

(11) Changing and toileting procedures shall be posted.

(r) There shall be daily communication between the parent, parents, or legal guardian and the staff about each child's behavior and development.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-4-440

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 65-508; effective May 1, 1983; amended May 1, 1984; amended May 1, 1985; amended May 1, 1986; amended, T-87-34, Nov. 19, 1986; amended May 1, 1987; amended Feb. 3, 2012.