Alabama Administrative Code › Title 660 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES › Chapter 660-5-26 - DAY CARE LICENSURE - CHILD CARE LICENSING AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR DAY CARE CENTERS AND NIGHTTIME CENTERS › Section 660-5-26-.05 - Transportation

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
Note:
The Department of Human Resources does not
				inspect away-from-center activities, including swimming, transportation, or any
				other activities. The licensee shall assume full authority and responsibility
				for activities away from the center.
(1) Transportation Provided by the Center.
(a) If the center provides transportation or
			 any activities away from the center, a written statement, signed by each
			 child's parent(s)/guardian(s), shall be on file in the center prior to the
			 child's participation in such activities. The statement shall indicate that the
			 parent(s)/guardian(s) has/have been informed that the Department of Human
			 Resources does not inspect activities provided away from the center and that
			 the licensee assumes full responsibility for such activities.
(b) The center shall be responsible for each
			 child who is using transportation contracted for, arranged by, or provided by
			 the center. For purposes of these regulations, transportation includes the use
			 of vehicles as well as walking to and from away-from-the-center
			 activities.
(c) Transportation
			 checklists.
1. Checklists, on the required
			 form, shall be used to account for the loading and unloading of each child from
			 the vehicle at every location. Checklists shall also be used to account for
			 each child during activities that include walking to and from the
			 center.
2. The center shall
			 designate the staff person responsible for completing the checklist. The
			 designated staff person shall sign (initials are not acceptable) the checklist
			 when it has been completed.
3. The
			 driver of the vehicle shall sign (initials are not acceptable) the completed
			 checklist at each location, indicating he or she has checked each seat in the
			 vehicle at each location to verify that no child is left on the
			 vehicle.
4. Completed checklists
			 shall be kept on file in the center for the current year plus at least two
			 additional years. (See Rule
			 660-5-26-.08, (5), for
			 requirements regarding records to be kept in the center.)
(d) When the center provides transportation
			 to and from the home or another designated location, the center shall be
			 responsible for picking the child up at the designated location and delivering
			 the child to the care of the designated person.
(e) Supervision of children in center
			 vehicles.
1. In addition to the driver, staff
			 shall be provided to meet required staff-child ratios for children younger than
			 lawful school age. (See Rule
			 660-5-26-.04, for required
			 ratios.) Note: The driver of the vehicle shall not be counted in the required
			 staff-child ratio when children younger than lawful school age are
			 transported.
2. For children of
			 lawful school age and older, fewer than fifteen (15) children may be
			 transported with only the driver of the vehicle, provided the driver meets
			 child care worker qualifications.
3. If fifteen (15) or more children of lawful
			 school age are transported, at least one (1) staff person in addition to the
			 driver shall be required.
4. If
			 thirty (30) or more children of lawful school age are transported, at least two
			 (2) staff persons in addition to the driver shall be required.
5. No child shall be left in a vehicle
			 without adult supervision at any time.
6. A staff person shall accompany each child
			 younger than 21/2 years of age from the vehicle to the care of the designated
			 person.
7. A staff person shall
			 visually supervise each child 21/2 years of age and older from the vehicle to
			 the care of a designated person.
8.
			 The driver shall check each seat of the vehicle at each location to verify that
			 no child is left on the vehicle.
(f) Safety precautions in all vehicles used
			 and operated by the center in transporting children.
1. Stationary seating space for each child
			 shall be provided, and no child shall sit on the floor. Children shall remain
			 seated while the vehicle is in motion.
2. Doors shall be locked at all times when
			 the vehicle is moving.
3. Children
			 shall not be transported in the front seat of any vehicle with a passenger side
			 air bag.
4. The driver of the
			 vehicle and all passengers shall be secured in a passenger restraint system at
			 all times when the vehicle is moving.
5. Each child shall be properly secured using
			 an aftermarket or integrated child passenger restraint system meeting
			 applicable state and federal motor vehicle safety standards. Each child
			 passenger restraint system shall be appropriate for the age and size of the
			 child.
(i) Each child younger than one (1)
			 year of age or weighing less than twenty (20) pounds shall be secured in an
			 infant only or a convertible seat used in a rear facing position which is
			 properly anchored to the vehicle, installed and used according to the
			 manufacturer's instructions and maintained in good condition.
(ii) Each child younger than five (5) years
			 of age or weighing less than 40 pounds shall be properly secured in a
			 convertible seat in the forward facing position or in a forward facing seat
			 which is properly anchored to the vehicle, installed and used according to the
			 manufacturer's instructions and maintained in good condition.
(iii) Each child younger than six (6) years
			 of age shall be properly secured in a booster seat which is properly anchored
			 to the vehicle, installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions
			 and maintained in good condition.
(iv) Each child six (6) years of age and
			 older, the driver, and each adult passenger shall be secured in an individual
			 seat belt, which is properly anchored to the vehicle.
(g) Vehicle safety check.
1. A safety check, on the required form,
			 shall be done annually and signed and dated by a mechanic, on all vehicles
			 regularly used by the center to transport children.
2. A copy of the safety check, on the
			 required form, shall be on file in the center. The safety check shall show that
			 the following items are operating in a safe condition: brakes; tires; lights
			 (head, signal, brake, tail); windshield wipers; steering; and exhaust system;
			 ventilation and heating system; and passenger restraint systems.