North Dakota Administrative Code › Title 75 - Department of Human Services › Article 75-03 - Community Services › Chapter 75-03-10 - Child Care Center Early Childhood Services › Section 75-03-10-20 - Program requirements

Current through Supplement No. 393, July, 2024
1. The child
				care center operator shall have a program of daily individual or small group
				activities appropriate to the ages and needs of the children in the child care
				center. The program must include activities which foster sound social,
				cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. and the program must be developed
				with consideration of parental input. A written daily routine including
				mealtimes, rest times, planned developmentally appropriate activities, free
				play, and outside time must be available to parents. The daily routine must be
				flexible enough to allow for spontaneous activity as appropriate.
2. The program must be flexible and subject
				to modification for individual child differences.
3. The program must be written and varied to
				promote the physical and emotional well-being of the children, to encourage the
				acquisition of information and knowledge, and to foster the development of
				language skills, concepts, self-discipline, and problem-solving activities. The
				program must describe how the activities planned meet the children's
				developmental needs, including the special needs of children. The written
				program must be made available to parents.
4. The program must include firsthand
				experiences for children to learn about the world in which they live.
5. Learning experiences must be
				conducted in consultation with parents to ensure harmony with the lifestyle and
				cultural background of the children.
6. The program must provide a balance of
				quiet and active indoor and outdoor group and individual activities. A time for
				supervised child-initiated and self-selected activity must be established.
7. If children are allowed to
				assist in any food preparation, the activity must be limited to use of
				equipment and appliances that do not present a safety hazard. Children may not
				be allowed in the kitchen or laundry area unsupervised.
8. A variety of games, toys, books, crafts,
				and other activities and materials must be provided to enhance the child's
				intellectual and social development and to broaden the child's life experience.
				Each child care center must have enough play materials and equipment so, that
				at any one time, each child in attendance may be involved individually or as a
				group.
9. The cultural diversity
				of the children must be reflected in the program through incorporation of their
				language, food, celebration, and lifestyles, if appropriate.
10. Equipment and furniture must be durable
				and safe and must be appropriately adapted for children's use.
11. Sufficient space accessible to children
				must be provided for each child's personal belongings.
12. The child care center shall supplement,
				augment, and reinforce the child's activities at home and, where applicable, at
				school.
13. At the time of
				enrollment, the director or supervisor shall discuss with the parents the
				children's habits, activities, and schedules while at home and in school and
				the parents' special concerns about their past and future behavior and
				development. The schedule and activities must be designed to complement and
				supplement the children's experiences at home and in school.
14. Staff members responsible for caring for
				or teaching children shall encourage parents to visit the facility, observe,
				and participate in the care of their children.
15. The director or supervisor shall contact
				parents to offer meaningful opportunities to participate in general program
				policymaking.
16. The child care
				center shall stress personal hygiene practices appropriate for a child's age
				and development.
17. The director
				or supervisor shall contact parents to exchange information concerning the
				child and any concerns about the health, development, or behavior of the child.
				These concerns must be communicated to the parent promptly and directly.
18. Each child's cultural and
				ethnic background and primary language or dialect must be respected by the
				staff members.
19. Each child care
				center shall have a designated area where a child can sit quietly or lie down
				to rest. There must be sufficient cots or sleeping mats to allow each child in
				attendance an individual napping space. The floor may be used only when the
				floor is carpeted or padded, warm, and free from drafts, and when individual
				blankets or coverings are used. The child care center shall set napping
				schedules for children according to the children's ages and needs. For children
				unable to sleep, the director or supervisor shall provide time and space for
				quiet play.
General Authority: NDCC
					 50-11.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC
					 50-11.1-01,
					 50-11.1-04,
					 50-11.1-08