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-.03 - Facilities

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Fire
			 Inspection. Prior to being issued an initial license, six-month permit, or
			 approval, the applicant shall submit a written fire department inspection
			 report, with no violations cited, to the Department of Human Resources.
			 Subsequent inspections may be requested by the licensee, center director, or by
			 the Department of Human Resources and must be updated at a minimum of every
			 five (5) years. Volunteer Fire Department approvals and/or inspections will not
			 be accepted. Copies of such inspection reports shall be submitted to the
			 Department. Copies shall also be posted in the center.
(2) Health Inspection. Prior to being issued
			 an initial license, six-month permit, or approval, the applicant shall submit a
			 written health department inspection report to the Department of Human
			 Resources. If food is prepared at the center, a copy of a current health
			 department food permit shall also be submitted. If food is not prepared at the
			 center, but is served by the center, the applicant shall obtain written
			 approval of the food service plan from the health department, if available, and
			 submit a copy of this approval to the Department of Human Resources. Subsequent
			 inspections may be requested by the licensee, center director, or by the
			 Department of Human Resources. Copies of such inspection reports shall be
			 submitted to the Department. Copies shall also be posted in the
			 center.
(3) Zoning Approval. Prior
			 to being issued an initial license, six-month permit, or approval, the
			 applicant shall submit a written statement of compliance with applicable zoning
			 requirements to the Department. If no zoning laws or ordinances are applicable,
			 the applicant shall submit a written statement verifying he/she has checked
			 with the local governing authority and there are no applicable zoning laws or
			 ordinances.
(4) Indoor Area.
(a) Exclusive use. Activity areas to which
			 the children in care are assigned shall be used exclusively by the children
			 during operating hours. When lunchroom facilities are shared with other groups,
			 children receiving center care shall be seated together, apart from other
			 groups.
(b) Space per child. There
			 shall be at least 32 square feet of indoor activity space for each child.
			 Bathrooms, kitchens, isolation room, office, halls used as passageways, and
			 storage areas shall not be considered when computing activity space.
(c) Space for groups. Designated areas of
			 indoor activity space shall be provided for each grouping of children. (See
			 Rule 660-5-26-.04, for requirements
			 regarding grouping of children.)
(d) Bathroom facilities.
1. Location. Bathrooms shall be located on
			 the same floor level and under the same roof as activity areas.
2. Number of fixtures:
(i) at least one flush toilet for every 15
			 children;
(ii) at least one
			 handwashing sink for every 15 children;
(iii) at least one tub (portable plastic type
			 acceptable) per center.
3. Size of fixtures. The toilets and
			 handwashing sinks used by the children shall be child size in height, or shall
			 be adjusted for easy use with sturdy platforms, seat adapters, or both, as
			 needed.
(e) Diapering
			 facilities. One handwashing sink with warm running water, soap, and disposable
			 paper towels, shall be located in each room where children are diapered. (See
			 Rule 660-5-26-.04, regarding staff
			 coverage and supervision of the children.)
(f) Space for ill or injured children. Space
			 shall be provided for a child who becomes ill or is injured at the center.
			 Items used by an ill child shall be disinfected before being used by another
			 child.
(g) Storage space for
			 children and staff.
1. Each child shall have
			 individual, labeled storage space. For children age 21/2 years and older, the
			 space shall be at child level.
2.
			 Shelving, accessible to the children, shall be provided for the play equipment
			 and supplies, in areas used by children.
3. Storage space shall be provided for
			 storage of teacher's supplies and reserve equipment.
4. Shelving that can be tipped over by an
			 adult shall be securely anchored, so that it does not pose a risk to
			 children.
(h) Office
			 space shall be provided for storage of records and to afford privacy for
			 conferences.
(i) Ventilation,
			 lighting, and heating in areas used by children.
1. Heating and air conditioning shall be
			 provided as appropriate to the season. Currently licensed centers that do not
			 have air conditioning shall provide air conditioning by August 31,
			 2003.
2. The temperature shall be
			 maintained between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. There shall be a thermometer in each area
			 used by the children to monitor the temperature of the area. Thermometers shall
			 be safe for children (no glass, mercury, or other hazardous
			 material).
4. Outside windows that
			 are opened shall be securely screened.
5. Outside doors shall be kept
			 closed.
6. Lighting shall be
			 maintained at a level that will enable the children to participate in center
			 activities.
7. During
			 napping/resting, lighting shall be maintained at a level that will enable
			 children to be visible.
(j) There shall be an operational telephone
			 in the center for center business only. The Department shall be notified if the
			 center's telephone is out of service. The Department shall be notified of any
			 change in the center's telephone number.
(k) Hazard prevention.
1. The center shall be free from apparent
			 hazardous conditions.
2. All
			 flammable, poisonous and other hazardous substances and materials (including
			 but not limited to anything that states "keep out of the reach of children")
			 shall be kept under lock and key or combination lock. All containers shall be
			 labeled with the name of the substance or material it contains.
3. No firearms or ammunition shall be kept or
			 allowed in the center with the exception of law enforcement officers.
4. Stairways used by the children shall have
			 hand railings within child's reach.
5. Clear glass doors shall be plainly marked
			 at child level, to avoid accidental impact.
6. Medicines and drugs for children or staff
			 shall be kept under lock and key or combination lock, in a separate location
			 away from toxic chemicals and other harmful items. (See Rule
			 660-5-26-.04, for additional
			 requirements regarding medication.)
7. Barriers shall be erected around
			 radiators, heaters, and fans that are accessible to the children.
8. Exposed electrical outlets shall have
			 protective covers. The covers shall be large enough to prevent being
			 swallowed.
9. Consumption or
			 possession of alcohol or use of non-prescription narcotic or illegal substances
			 is prohibited on the center premises, as well as any vehicle used by the
			 center.
10. Smoking or tobacco
			 usage is prohibited on the center premises, as well as any vehicle used by the
			 center (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and electronic
			 cigarettes).
11. Bio contaminants
			 shall be:
(i) If stored inside the facility,
			 must be disposed of in covered, plastic lined receptacle stored in a locked
			 area. The container must be labeled as bio contaminants:
(ii) If stored outside the facility, must be
			 disposed in a leak proof plastic bag that can be sealed and placed in a covered
			 receptacle