Alabama Administrative Code › Title 660 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES › Chapter 660-5-20 - HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES - REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR FACILITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM › Section 660-5-20-.03 - Facilities

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Fire
			 Inspection. The facility 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 Department of Human Resources
			 and must be updated 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 facility.
(2) Health
			 Inspection. The facility shall submit a written health department inspection
			 report to the Department of Human Resources. If food is prepared at the
			 facility, a copy of a current health department food permit shall also be
			 submitted. If food is not prepared at the facility, but is served by the
			 facility, the facility 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 Department of Human Resources. Copies of such inspection reports shall be
			 submitted to the Department. Copies shall also be posted in the
			 facility.
(3) Zoning Approval. The
			 facility shall submit a written statement of compliance with applicable zoning
			 requirements to the Department. If no zoning laws or ordinances are applicable,
			 the facility 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. 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 facility 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.
(d) Bathroom facilities.
1. Location. Bathrooms shall be located on
			 the same floor level and under the same roof as activity areas.
2. 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.
(f) Space for ill or
			 injured children. Space shall be provided for a child who becomes ill or is
			 injured at the facility. 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.
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 facility
			 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 facility for facility business only. The Department shall be notified if
			 the facility's telephone is out of service. The Department shall be notified of
			 any change in the facility's telephone number.
(k) Hazard prevention.
1. The facility shall be free from apparent
			 hazardous conditions.
2. All
			 flammable, poisonous and other hazardous substances and materials 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 facility 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.
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 facility premises, as well as any vehicle used by the
			 center.
10. Smoking or tobacco
			 usage is prohibited on the facility premises, as well as any vehicle used by
			 the facility (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and
			 electronic cigarettes).
11. Bio
			 contaminants:
(i) If stored inside the
			 facility, must be diagnosed of in a covered, plastic lined receptable 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
			 receptable.
(l)
			 The facility shall be clean.
1. Cleaning
			 shall be done daily. Floors and bathroom fixtures shall be cleaned and
			 disinfected daily or more often as needed. Carpets shall be vacuumed
			 daily.
2. Cleaning shall not
			 interfere with children's activities.
3. Spills of body fluids, including blood,
			 feces, nasal and eye discharges, saliva, urine, and vomit shall be cleaned up
			 immediately. Staff shall wear gloves. Staff shall be careful not to get any of
			 the fluid in their eyes, nose, mouth or any open sores. Staff hands must be
			 washed with soap and water after cleaning up spills.
4. Staff shall clean and disinfect any
			 surfaces, such as countertops and floors, on which body fluids have been
			 spilled. Contaminated materials shall be discarded in a plastic bag that has
			 been securely sealed and placed in the appropriate bio contaminant receptable.
(i) Mops used to clean up body fluids shall
			 be:
(I) cleaned;
(II) rinsed with a disinfecting
			 solution;
(III) wrung as dry as
			 possible; and
(IV) hung to dry
			 completely.
(ii)
			 Contaminated rugs or carpets should be blotted as soon as possible to prevent
			 the contaminants from penetrating through the surface to lower layers. Next,
			 they are to be cleaned and sanitized.
5. Contaminated Clothing
(i) Contaminated clothing items may be sent
			 home in a sealed, plastic bag that is labeled with the child's name and stored
			 in an area that is not accessible to children.
(ii) If the center chooses to wash the
			 contaminated items, the items must be washed separately from non-contaminated
			 items.