Illinois Administrative Code › Title 89 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part 408 - LICENSING STANDARDS FOR GROUP DAY CARE HOMES › Section 408.30 - General Requirements for Group Day Care Homes

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) The physical facilities of the home, both
				indoors and outdoors, shall meet the following requirements for safety to
				children.
1) The home shall have a first aid
				kit consisting of adhesive bandages, scissors, non-permeable gloves, Poison
				Control Center telephone number (1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-942-5969),
				thermometer, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, tweezers, first aid cream and
				mild soap.
2) The kitchen shall be
				equipped with a readily accessible and operable fire extinguisher rated for
				Class A, B, and C fires and a flashlight in working order.
3) All electrical outlets that are in areas
				used by the day care children shall have protective coverings. There shall be
				no exposed or uninsulated wiring.
4) The home shall be equipped with a minimum
				of one approved smoke detector in operating condition on every floor level,
				including basements and occupied attics.
A) A
				smoke detector in operating condition shall be within each room where day care
				children nap or sleep. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at
				least 6 inches from any wall, or on a wall located between 4 and 6 inches from
				the ceiling. In addition, there shall be at least one detector at the beginning
				and end of each separate corridor or hallway 200 feet or more in length in any
				occupied story.
B) In any facility
				constructed after December 31, 1987, or which undergoes substantial remodeling
				of its structure or wiring system after that date, the smoke detectors shall be
				permanently wired into the structure's AC power line, and, if more than one
				detector is required to be installed, the detectors shall be wired so that the
				activation of one detector will activate all the detectors in the facility
				unit. For purposes of this subsection (a)(4), "substantial remodeling"
				represents more than 15 percent of the replacement cost of the group day care
				home. For homes that did not have wired installation of smoke detectors in each
				room prior to December 15, 2011, the Department may allow the installation of a
				battery-operated smoke detector in each room where children nap or sleep and
				deem the home to be in compliance.
C) Compliance with any applicable federal,
				State or local law, rule or building code which requires the installation and
				maintenance of smoke detectors in a manner different from this Section, but
				providing a level of safety for occupants which is equal to or greater than
				that provided by this Section, shall be deemed to be compliance with this
				Section. (Section 2 of the Facilities Requiring Smoke Detectors Act [
				425 ILCS
				10/2 ])
D)
				For homes constructed after December 15, 2011, or that underwent substantial
				remodeling of structure or wiring systems after December 15, 2011, the smoke
				detectors shall be permanently wired into the structure's AC power line and, if
				more than one detector is required to be installed, the detectors shall be
				wired so that the activation of one detector will activate all the detectors in
				the facility unit.
5)
				Carbon Monoxide Detector
A) A home that has
				an attached garage and/or relies
on combustion of fossil fuel for
				heating, ventilation, or hot water shall be equipped with
a minimum of
one approved carbon monoxide detector in operating condition within 15
				feet of rooms
where children nap or sleep.
B)
The carbon monoxide detector may
				be combined with smoke detector devices, provided that the combined unit
				complies with
subsection (a)(4) and this subsection (a)(5). [
				430 ILCS
				135/10 ]
6) The home and indoor space shall be
				maintained in good repair and shall provide a safe, comfortable environment for
				the children.
7) A draft-free
				temperature of 65°F to 75°F shall be maintained during the winter
				months or heating season. For infants and toddlers, a temperature of 68°F
				to 82°F shall be maintained during the summer or air-conditioning months.
				When the temperature in the home exceeds 78°F, measures shall be taken to
				cool the children. Temperatures shall be measured at least 3 feet above the
				floor.
8) Fixed space heaters,
				fireplaces, radiators, and other heating sources in areas occupied by children
				shall be separated by partitions or a sturdy barrier to prevent contact.
				Portable space heaters may not be used in a group day care home during the
				hours that child care is provided.
9) A facility in which a wood-burning stove
				or fireplace has been installed and that is used during the hours that child
				care is provided, shall provide a written plan of how the stove or fireplace
				will be used and what actions will be taken to ensure the children's safety
				when in use.
10) In one and 2
				family dwellings, children under 30 months of age shall be housed and cared for
				on the second floor or below. In other residential buildings, children under 30
				months of age shall be housed and cared for only in areas in which OSFM states,
				in writing, that the combination of remote exits, fire detection, fire
				suppression, and/or automatic sprinkler systems render the residence safe for
				the care of infants and toddlers.
11) No area accessible only by a ladder or
				folding stairs or through a trap door shall be used for sleeping or
				napping.
12) When the basement area
				may be used for child care, 2 exits shall be provided.
A) At least one exit shall be a basement exit
				via a door directly to the outside (without traversing any other level of the
				home) or a protected exit from a basement via a door or stairway that allows
				unobstructed travel directly to the outside of the building at street or ground
				level. The stairway may not be more than 8 feet high.
B) A second exit may be a window.
i) The window shall be operable from the
				inside without the use of tools and provide a clear opening not less than 20
				inches in width, 24 inches in height, and 5.7 square feet in area.
ii) If the window is used as a second exit,
				the bottom of the window opening shall be no more than 44 inches above the
				floor.
iii) When the bottom of the
				window opening used as a second exit is more than 24 inches from the floor,
				there shall be a permanently affixed, sturdy ramp or stairs located below the
				window to allow speedy access in the event of an emergency.
C) If the basement area does not
				meet these existing requirements, the basement may be used for child care only
				with the prior written approval of OSFM.
13) All walls and surfaces shall be
				maintained free from lead paint and chipped or peeling paint.
14) Walls of rooms that children use shall be
				free of carpeting, fabric or plastic products. Inflammable or combustible
				artwork attached to the walls shall not exceed 20% of any wall area.
15) Furniture and equipment shall be kept in
				safe repair.
16) First aid
				supplies, medication, cleaning materials, poisons, sharp scissors, plastic
				bags, sharp knives, cigarettes, matches, lighters, flammable liquids, and other
				hazardous materials shall be stored in places inaccessible to children.
				Hazardous items for infants and toddlers also include items that can cause
				choking, including but not limited to: coins, balloons, safety pins, marbles,
				Styrofoam (trademark) and similar products, and sponge, soft rubber or soft
				plastic toys that can be bitten or broken into small pieces.
17) Tools and gardening equipment shall be
				stored in locked cabinets, if possible, or in places inaccessible to all
				children.
18) An operable telephone
				shall be available on the premises of the licensee. The number of the Poison
				Control Center (1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-942-5969) and other emergency numbers
				shall be posted in an area that is readily available in an emergency.
19) Free hanging cords on blinds, shades and
				drapes shall be tied or otherwise kept out of reach of children.
20) Effective January 1, 2013, the home shall
				be tested for radon at least once every 3 years. The most current radon
				measurements shall be posted next to the license in the home, on a form
				provided by the Department containing the required informative statement from
				Section 5.8(d) of the Child Act of 1969 [ 225 ILCS 10 ].