Md. Code Regs. 10.21.18.12

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 10.21.18.12 - Health and Safety Requirements

The therapeutic nursery program director shall:

A. Ensure that a criminal background investigation as required under Family Law Article, 5-560-----5-568, Annotated Code of Maryland, has been completed and is on file in each staff member's personnel record;

B. If a child is involved in an accident or is injured while in attendance at a therapeutic nursery program:

(1) Notify the primary caretaker on the day that the accident or injury occurs;

(2) If the injury is serious, notify the parent or guardian immediately;

(3) Ensure that appropriate treatment is provided; and

(4) Document the incident according to the requirements of the risk management policy of the therapeutic nursery;

C. At all times that children are participating in the therapeutic nursery program, ensure that staff are present who hold current certificates indicating approved training in:

(1) Infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);

(2) First aid; and

(3) If wading or swimming are therapeutic nursery activities, Red Cross water safety;

D. Prepare an emergency evacuation plan that:

(1) Is approved by the local fire authority;

(2) Is posted in each room of the therapeutic nursery;

(3) The staff and children practice at least monthly, and the staff maintain a written record of the dates and times of the practices; and

(4) Includes:

(a) Safe routes by which the staff and children may exit each area in the event of fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the building,

(b) The address of a location that can be used by the staff and children in the event of fire or other emergency until the parents, guardians, or primary caretakers of the children are notified, and

(c) The provisions that, during an evacuation or a practice, a designated staff member take out of the building the record of attendance for that date and verify the presence of each child in attendance;

E. Provide telephones that are accessible to the staff in each activity area in the therapeutic nursery, and post the following information next to each telephone:

(1) 911 telephone number to summon fire, police, and rescue services;

(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the therapeutic nursery;

(3) Telephone number of the child protective services unit of the local department of social services; and

(4) Telephone number of a poison control center;

F. Release a child:

(1) Only to the child's parent, guardian, or primary caretaker; or

(2) If so directed by the child's parent, guardian, or primary caretaker, to another individual whose identity is verified;

G. As required by COMAR 10.06.01:

(1) Report communicable diseases; and

(2) Restrict attendance by staff and children with communicable diseases;

H. Not permit anyone to use alcohol or controlled dangerous substances on the premises or to smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes in rooms or areas approved for use by a child;

I. Implement measures to prevent the spread of disease including requiring that staff wash hands and ensure that a child's hands are washed thoroughly with soap and water after toileting, before handling food, after outdoor activities, and at other times necessary to prevent the spread of disease;

J. Provide for general cleanliness by ensuring that:

(1) All surfaces, furnishings, materials, and equipment are clean;

(2) Except for emergencies and clean-up activities that are part of the daily program, cleaning is not conducted while rooms are occupied by children;

(3) Refuse containers in the building are:

(a) Noncombustible, and

(b) If they contain soiled diapers, lined with a disposable liner, covered with a lid, and inaccessible to children; and

(4) Refuse containers outside the building meet the standards required by local code; and

K. Provide written notification to each staff member and documentation that each staff member has read and understood the notification regarding:

(1) The location of the telephone and the emergency telephone numbers specified in §E of this regulation;

(2) The location of each child's emergency form;

(3) Emergency evacuation procedures;

(4) Identity of the staff members who have appropriate first aid, CPR, and Red Cross water safety training;

(5) Signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect;

(6) The requirements and procedures for reporting suspected child:

(a) Abuse directly to the local department of social services or law enforcement agency, and

(b) Neglect directly to the local department of social services;

(7) Risk management; and

(8) The contents of this chapter.

Md. Code Regs. 10.21.18.12