Md. Code Regs. 13A.18.05.12

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024

Section 13A.18.05.12 - Outdoor Activity Area

A. A child care home shall have an outdoor activity area on the premises of, adjacent to, or near and safely accessible to the home that provides adequate usable play space for the approved capacity of the home.

B. Usable Outdoor Play Space.

(1) Except as set forth at §B(2) of this regulation, a child care home shall have an outdoor activity area that provides at least 75 square feet of usable play space for each child.

(2) A child care home that was originally licensed as a small center, and for which a notice of intent filed pursuant to COMAR 13A(2) as part of an application for a child care center license was received by the office before January 1, 2009, shall have an outdoor activity area that provides ample usable play space for all of the children in attendance.

C. Usable play space may include only the area and the activity equipment approved for use by children in care.

D. The activity area shall be free from potential hazards to child health or safety.

E. All outdoor activity equipment shall be safe, in good repair, clean, and nontoxic.

F. If required by the office, the outdoor activity area shall be enclosed to protect children in care from accessible hazards such as a heavily trafficked area, a body of water, or environmental hazards.

G. A child may not be allowed to:

(1) play on climbing equipment from which the child can fall 7 feet or more to the ground;

(2) Use unsafe activity equipment;

(3) Use activity equipment in an unsafe manner; or

(4) Wear a clothing item or accessory that may pose a hazard to the child while engaged in the activity.

H. The provider shall ensure that children use suitable protective gear when engaged in an activity for which protective gear is required by law.

I. Trampolines.

(1) A child in care may not be allowed to use a trampoline.

(2) The provider shall make a trampoline located on the premises of the child care home inaccessible to children in care.

J. Any pool on the premises of the facility shall be made inaccessible to children in care and have security features, including but not limited to a:

(1) Fence that surrounds the pool at least 4 feet in height;

(2) Self-closing and self-latching mechanism on the gate, door, or access to the pool;

(3) Lock that is operable and secured; and

(4) Sensor or alarm in the pool and on the access door.

Md. Code Regs. 13A.18.05.12

Regulation .12 amended effective 47:1 Md. R. 17, eff. 1/13/2020