S.C. Code Regs. § § 114-519

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 114-519 - Infant and Toddler Care, Care for Mildly Ill Children, and Night Care

A. Infant and toddler care

(1) Stimulation and nurturing.

(a) Children shall not remain in their cribs or play equipment for other than sleeping and specific, short time-limited quiet play.

(b) Infants and toddlers shall be routinely held, talked to, rocked, caressed, carried, nurtured, read to, sung to and played with throughout the day.

(c) There shall be toys and materials that encourage and stimulate children through seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling and tasting.

(2) Programs for infants and toddlers.

(a) Staff shall provide appropriate attention to the needs of children.

(b) The daily program for infants and toddlers shall include goals for children, which promote healthy child development and allow for individual choice and exploration.

(c) Information about the child's daily needs and activities shall be shared with parents.

(3) Feeding, eating and drinking.

(a) Cups and bottles shall be labeled with the child's name and used only by that child.

(b) Infants shall be fed in accordance with the time schedule, specific food and beverage items and quantities as specified by the parent.

(c) Infants shall be held while being bottle fed until they are able to hold their own bottles. Bottles shall not be propped or given in cribs or on mats.

(d) Due to nutritional concerns, the microwaving of breast milk is prohibited. The microwaving of formula and other beverages is strongly discouraged due to the possibility of a burn injury to the child. However, if the facility plans to use this method of heating formula and other beverages, they must notify all parents in writing as part of the enrollment or orientation process.

(e) All warmed bottles shall be shaken well and the temperature tested before feeding to a child.

(f) Baby formula, juice, and food served in a bottle shall be prepared, ready to feed, identified, and packaged for single use for the appropriate user. Any excess formula, juice or food shall be discarded after each feeding. Formula, juice and food requiring refrigeration shall be maintained at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

(g) Infants and toddlers shall not sleep with bottles in their mouths.

(h) Toddlers shall be offered water routinely throughout the day.

(i) Breast milk and formula shall be dated and labeled with the child's name and refrigerated until ready to use.

(j) Food for infants shall be cut in pieces one-quarter inch or less.

(k) Food for toddlers shall be cut in pieces one half inch or less.

(4) Feeding chairs.

(a) Feeding chairs shall have a stable base.

(b) Feeding chairs shall have a T-shaped safety strap that prevents the child from slipping or climbing out of the chair. The safety strap shall be used at all times the child is in the chair.

(c) Feeding chair trays shall be in good repair and made of an easily cleanable surface and shall not have chips or cracks.

(d) Feeding chairs shall be used only for eating or a specific, short time-limited tabletop play activity.

(e) Seat heights of feeding chairs shall be appropriate to the age and development of the child. Feeding chairs shall be in good repair and children shall be constantly supervised.

(5) Sleeping.

(a) Infants shall be placed on their backs to sleep unless the parent provides a note from a physician specifying otherwise.

(b) Crib mobiles shall not be permitted for infants or toddlers who can sit.

(c) Two years from the effective date of these regulations, stacked cribs will no longer be permitted.

(6) Equipment and materials.

(a) Indoor space shall be protected from general walkway where crawling children may be on the floor.

(b) Mobile walkers are not permitted.

B. Care for mildly ill children

(1) Parent notification and instructions.

(a) If a child becomes ill while in care, the operator shall notify the parent or responsible party immediately.

(b) If a child may have been exposed to a serious communicable disease that is spread through casual contact, the group child care home shall notify the parents of all potentially exposed children about the nature of the illness and the potential exposure to the illness, and recommend consultation with the child's physician.

(c) If an operator chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the operator shall receive instructions from the parent for any special care needs of the child.

(2) Policies and procedures.

(a) If an operator chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the group child care home shall have written policies and procedures specifying inclusion and exclusion from the group, communication with parents, recording of illness and care provided, specific types of illnesses and symptoms which prohibit care from being provided, special staff training required and emergency health procedures.

(b) Children shall be excluded when they exhibit the conditions listed in the DHEC Exclusion Policy.

(c) If a child is in a rest area due to illness, the child shall be supervised at all times.

C. Night care

(1) In group child care homes providing overnight care, at least two adults shall be on the premises at all times, physically near, readily accessible, and responsible for the ongoing activity of each child and able to intervene when needed.

(2) The operator shall present written evidence that a plan has been worked out whereby an additional, outside person can be quickly summoned to assist in an emergency.

(3) Sleeping equipment.

(a) Each child shall have a bed with a solid foundation, a fire retardant mattress, a pillow, and bedding appropriate for the temperature of the group child care home.

(b) Cots and portable beds are not permitted.

(4) Bedtime.

(a) Children shall be provided the opportunity to read or be read to before bedtime.

(b) There shall be books, games, and other quiet time activities for the child prior to bedtime.

(c) Special bedtime routines as specified by the parent shall be followed to the extent feasible.

(5) Bathing.

(a) If children bathe at the group child care home, there shall be a bathtub or shower with a slip resistant surface.

(b) Each child shall have his or her own clean towel and washcloth.

(6) Night clothes.

(a) The group child care home shall make arrangements with the parent to provide clean appropriate nightclothes.

REGULATIONS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF CHILD CARE CENTERS OPERATED BY CHURCHES OR RELIGIOUS ENTITIES

S.C. Code Regs. § 114-519

Added by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005.