La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-5543

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-5543 - Design and Equipage

A. Plant

1. The Day Care Center shall be constructed, equipped, and maintained to insure the safety of all concerned. It is structurally sound and satisfies the following.

a. The facility complies with all applicable state and local codes governing constructions.

b. Fire resistant and flame-spread ratings of construction, materials, and finishes comply with current state and local fire protection codes and ordinances.

c. Fire extinguishers are conveniently located on each floor and in special hazard areas such as boiler rooms, kitchens, laundries, and storage rooms. Fire regulations are prominently posted and carefully observed.

d. Unless the facility is of fire resistant construction, individuals physically handicapped or mentally retarded are not permitted to occupy floors above the street level.

e. The building shall be maintained in good repair and kept free of hazards such as those created by any damaged or defective parts of the building.

B. Space Required

1. Indoor Space

a. There shall be a minimum of 35 square feet of space per student. Kitchens, bathrooms, halls used as passageways, family bedrooms, lockers, laundry rooms, built-in cabinets and any other quarters with furniture used as family living space shall not be considered as floor space available for students.

b. There shall be open shelves within easy reach of the students for the storage of play material and closed shelves for the storage of school supplies and equipment.

c. There shall be individual space for students' clothing, such as lockers or low hooks.

d. The rooms used primarily for the students should be located so as to receive the maximum amount of sunlight and shall be well ventilated and lighted.

2. Outdoor Space

a. There shall be outdoor play space provided for the students; there shall be a minimum of 75 square feet for each student in the group at any one time. The minimum outdoor play space shall be available for at least one-half the number of students in care.

b. The outdoor play space shall be enclosed in such a manner as to protect the children from traffic hazards and to prevent the children from leaving the premises without proper supervision. For centers located away from streets or other hazards, enclosing of the outside play space may be waived.

c. The outdoor play space shall be kept free of broken glass and other debris. The grounds will be well groomed at all times.

d. Equipment and placement of equipment shall be such that it will not be dangerous to the life or health of the person using it.

3. Furnishings and Equipment

a. Chairs and tables shall be adequate in number to serve the students. They shall be of a size suitable to the group in care.

b. Each child under 6 years of age shall be provided with a cot or bed or pallet for rest periods. If beds or cots are provided, the beds or cots shall be at least 18" apart.

c. Individual bedding, sufficient to maintain warmth, shall be provided either by the parents or the school. Covers shall be laundered as needed and always upon change of occupancy.

4. Environmental Hygiene

a. Minimum Toilet Facilities. There shall be adequate, separate toilet facilities for male and female students.

b. Hand Washing Facilities. There shall be adequate lavatories to meet the needs of the students. There shall also be a soap dispenser and individual towels, preferably paper towels.

c. Drinking Fountains. Drinking fountains, when available, shall be of a type approved by the State Board of Health. If a fountain is not available, disposable paper cups must be used.

d. Refrigeration. Adequate refrigeration for food must be maintained. Refrigerators should be kept at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Drink or milk bottles must not be submerged in liquid. Where food is prepared in the facility, adequate means of washing and sanitizing dishes and utensils shall be provided. All food, especially meats, milk, eggs, and seafood must be obtained from approved sources.

5. Heating

a. An approved heating system for the building must be used. All gas heaters or stoves must be vented to the outside air. Open fireplaces and accessible heaters must be screened or guarded to protect against burn accidents.

6. Safety Aspects

a. Stairwells shall be kept free of obstruction and fire exit doors maintained and in working order, and swing to the egress. All stairways shall be equipped with handrails.

b. Materials harmful to children, such as cleaning materials, cleaning solvents, detergents, and matches shall be kept out of the reach of students. Medication shall be stored separately and in locked facilities.

c. All gas appliances shall be solidly connected with rigid piping and installed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the local building code. All unused gas connections shall be removed or properly capped. No open electric sockets or loose electric wires shall be within the reach of the persons cared for.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-5543

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 46:1971 through 1980.