Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 15 - Mississippi Department of Health › Part 11 - Bureau of Child Care Facilities › Subpart 55 - Child Care Facilities Licensure › Chapter 1 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING LICENSURE OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES FOR 12 OF FEWER CHILDREN IN THE OPERATOR'S HOME › Subchapter 11 - BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS › Rule 15-11-55-1.11.1 - Building

Current through June 25, 2024
1. A child care facility shall be physically
					 separated from any other business or enterprise. Other occupants, visitors,
					 and/or employees of other businesses or enterprises within the same building
					 shall not be allowed within the physical confines of the child care facility
					 for the purpose of entering the building or exiting the building, or passing
					 through the child care facility for the purpose of gaining access to another
					 part of the building.
2. All child
					 care facility buildings shall meet all fire safety standards listed on the MSDH
					 Form #333 and all applicable local fire safety standards and/or
					 ordinances.
3. No house trailers,
					 relocatable classrooms, or portable buildings shall be used to house a child
					 care facility unless such structure was originally designed specifically for
					 educational purposes and meet the Mississippi State Department of Education's
					 current standards for a relocatable classroom. Further, such portable structure
					 shall meet all applicable fire safety codes.
4. Current licensees operating facilities
					 housed in such structures are exempted from this provision. Any change of
					 ownership, need for major renovation, or other significant change in the
					 facility's status shall revoke such exemption.
5. Plans and specifications shall be
					 submitted to the licensing agency for review and approval on all proposed
					 construction and/or major renovations.
6. A separate space shall be provided for the
					 use of an ill or injured child until the child can be picked up by the parent.
					 Space shall be located in an area that is supervised at all times by an
					 employee.
7. The ceiling, floor,
					 and/or floor covering shall be properly installed, kept clean and in good
					 condition, and maintained in good repair. Carpeting is prohibited in kitchen
					 areas.
8. All parts of the child
					 care facility used by children shall be lead-safe, well lighted, ventilated,
					 and free of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, such as but not
					 limited to, open stairs and unprotected low windows.
a. All buildings intended for use as a child
					 care facility constructed before 1965 shall be tested for lead. It is the
					 responsibility of the facility applicant/operator to have a lead hazard screen
					 or lead-based paint risk assessment of the facility done by an individual or
					 company certified as a risk assessor by the Mississippi Commission on
					 Environmental Quality. If the facility is found not to be lead-safe, it will
					 not be allowed to operate as a child care facility until all required
					 corrective measures have been taken and the facility is determined to be
					 lead-safe by a certified risk assessor.
b. All buildings intended for use as a child
					 care facility, constructed prior to 1978, shall utilize MDEQ Lead Safe
					 Certified individuals or companies for all renovation, repair and maintenance
					 activities which disturb painted surfaces unless the paint to be disturbed has
					 been documented to be lead-free by an individual or company that is MDEQ Lead
					 Safe Certified as a risk assessor or inspector.
NOTE: It is recommended that child care facility
						operators contact the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality at
						601-961-5630 regarding any questions they may have about compliance with the
						laws and regulations related to lead and lead based paint.