Section 110-302-0145 - ONB program space and active play(1) ONB program staff must visually inspect meeting spaces and permanently located outdoor classrooms or other commonly used spaces prior to children arriving. ONB providers must have a method of removing or mitigating any hazard on ONB licensed space such as, but not limited to, loose overhead branches, hazardous materials or devices left in public spaces, wildlife, or wildlife droppings.(2) Pursuant to WAC 110-302-0356, ONB program space must promote a variety of age and developmentally appropriate active play areas for children in care. Activities must encourage and promote both moderate and vigorous physical activity such as running, jumping, skipping, throwing, pedaling, pushing, pulling, kicking, and climbing.(3) ONB programs must have access to at least 4,000 square feet of natural space per child to support a nature-based curriculum, unless otherwise approved by a park's director and the department. (a) Within the 4,000 square feet of natural space, the ONB provider must identify at least 75 square feet per child accessing the play space, at any given time that is suitable for vigorous and active play and gross motor activity.(b) ONB providers must encourage children to engage in active play for at least 30 minutes of gross motor activity for every three hours the children are in attendance or 10 minutes for each hour of programming at the ONB program operating less than three hours, pursuant to WAC 110-302-0360.(4) ONB programs must have shaded areas in outdoor play space provided by trees, buildings, or shade structures. ONB providers engaging children in unshaded areas must notice and respond to the children's comfort and safety in all temperatures, pursuant to WAC 110-302-0147.(5) When moving between areas in the ONB program space, or when moving to and from a licensed indoor program space to outdoor program space, ONB providers must identify and use safe routes and active supervision.(6) ONB programs must meet the following requirements when using natural play spaces not enclosed by a fence, wall, or similar barrier: (a) Establish boundaries with children in unenclosed spaces by using visual aids, such as webbing or tying ribbons on trees, in addition to the intentional teaching of boundaries to children required pursuant to WAC 110-302-0310. These visual aids must not create a tripping, confinement, or choking hazard.(b) ONB programs with permanently located outdoor classroom space must create guardrails, barriers, or boundaries between that space and any immediately adjacent hazardous features, such as a ravine, cliff, or body of water more than two feet deep and six feet in diameter. These guardrails or barriers may be made by natural materials and must be at least 29 inches tall for ONB programs enrolling only preschool-age children and 38 inches tall for ONB programs that enroll school-age children. All other boundaries need approved supervision plans documented in benefit-risk assessments. If public parks property used by ONB programs do not meet these requirements, ONB providers must submit and follow supervision plans to be reviewed and approved by the department.(c) ONB providers utilizing enclosed or designated outdoor play structures must follow the relevant CPSC playground safety guidelines and the applicable child care center or family home child care license, pursuant to chapter 110-300 WAC, or school-age program license pursuant to chapter 110-301 WAC.(7) Except for ONB programs that enroll only school-age children and operate on public or private school premises, ONB providers must not install any wooden fence, barrier, playground structure, or furniture if it contains chromated copper arsenate (CCA), creosote or pen-tachlorophenol. If wooden fences, structures, and furniture are suspected of having CCA, they must be tested. If CCA is present, fences, structures, and furniture must be removed or sealed with an oil-based outdoor sealant annually or as needed.Wash. Admin. Code § 110-302-0145
Adopted by WSR 23-10-059, Filed 5/1/2023, effective 6/1/2023