Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 200 - Board of Education › Chapter 20 - Council on Elementary and Secondary Education › Subchapter 10 - Academic Standards, Programs and Operations › Part 6 - Regulations on Comprehensive Early Childhood Education (CECE) Programs › Section 200-RICR-20-10-6.5 - Structural Standards for Schools and Agencies

Current through June 14, 2024
A.
				  Standard one: physical facilities
1. It is
				  expected that the early childhood program will comply with either DCYF Child
				  Care Center and School Age Program Regulations for Licensure (214-RICR-
				  40-00-1) or, if the program is located in a public or private PK-12 school,
				  with § 1.3.4 of this Subchapter the Basic Education Program Regulations,
				  in addition to these standards listed below.
2. A program is defined as a classroom or set
				  of classrooms which are managed using the same overarching policies and
				  procedures, with a shared leadership team. It may be housed in one building or
				  multiple sites.
3. A classroom is
				  defined as a group of children in a room with floor to ceiling walls. If floor
				  to ceiling walls are not possible, then stable partitions of at least 4 feet in
				  height shall divide the classroom, separate groups of children, and sound shall
				  not exceed:
Area
Acceptable Noise Levels in
								  Decibels
Classrooms (up to 750 sf)
65 Max
Classrooms (over 750 sf)
60 Max
4.
				  Physical facilities must be:
a. Be in
				  compliance with Building Code Commission Title Number 510 and Fire Safety Code
				  Board of Appeal and Review Title Number 450;
b. Provide evidence of being lead free or
				  safe;
c. Provide evidence of being
				  asbestos-free or safe;
d. Have an
				  acceptable score on a radon test within the last three (3) years; and
e. Have a public water supply or a
				  Department of Health certificate related to a water supply of drinking water
				  quality.
5. There shall
				  be an appropriately equipped, accessible outdoor play area for gross motor
				  activity.
a. The outdoor play area shall have
				  at least seventy-five (75) square feet of space for at least fifty percent
				  (50%) of the capacity of the center each child and be easily accessible from
				  adjacent to the center. With one classroom, the play area shall have at least
				  seventy-five (75) square feet per child. It shall be safe, properly fenced with
				  fencing of at least four (4) feet in height, reasonably level, well-drained,
				  and free from hazards.
b. Surfaces
				  and equipment shall comply with the Handbook for Public Playground Safety.
				  Climbing equipment, swings, and large pieces of play equipment shall be
				  developmentally appropriate for the ages of children in that area, securely
				  anchored, and maintained in good repair.
c. Outdoor play areas for preschoolers shall
				  be separated by fencing or scheduling from those used by children of first
				  grade age and above. Outdoor play areas for kinder garteners may be in the same
				  area used for preschoolers, first and/or second graders but shall be separated
				  by fencing or scheduling from those used by children in the third grade or
				  higher grades.
6.
				  Accessible toilet facilities must be in or immediately adjacent to the
				  classroom. If not, the program shall provide a plan that addresses how
				  toileting will be supervised while classroom staff adult/child ratios are
				  maintained.
a. Facilities shall have one
				  toilet and one sink for each group of ten (10) children.
b. Hand washing sinks shall have:
(1) warm and cold running water faucets,
				  or
(2) one (1) temperature faucets
				  set at appropriate hand washing temperatures.
c. Hot water temperature at sinks used for
				  handwashing, or where the hot water will be in direct contact with children,
				  should be at a temperature of at least 60°F and not exceeding
				  120°F.
d. There shall be
				  separate toilet facilities in the same building for staff.
7. There shall be adequate ventilation and
				  natural and/or artificial lighting throughout the program facility.
a. Each room used for instructional purposes
				  shall have sufficient air changes to produce healthful conditions and to avoid
				  odors or concentrations of toxic substances or dust particles.
b. All rooms used for children shall have a
				  window or skylight directly to the outdoors.
c. The Illuminating Engineering Society of
				  North America standards for the quantity of illumination, Lighting for
				  Educational Facilities RP- 3-00, must be met in general classrooms.
d. Emergency lighting shall be available when
				  normal lighting systems fail and in locations that permit an orderly egress
				  from the building in an emergency situation.
8. A cot shall be provided for each preschool
				  child. Cots shall be washed and sanitized before reassignment to another child.
				  There shall be at least two (2) feet of space between each cot during rest
				  time.
9. All equipment and
				  materials shall be kept clean and sanitary and shall be checked monthly to
				  ensure they are free from hazards. Documentation of monthly inspections, and
				  program response, should be maintained on file.
10. The following standards apply to public
				  school programs. Child care centers in good standing with DCYF Child Care
				  Center and School Age Program Regulations for Licensure (214-RICR- 40-00-1) are
				  presumed to meet these requirements.
a.
				  Stairways used by children shall have a handrail with a maximum height of
				  forty-eight (48) inches for children's use.
b. The program's exterior doors shall be
				  locked, unless monitored by a staff person, at all times. The program's
				  designated main entrance(s) shall have a doorbell, buzzer, keypad, swipe card
				  or other comparable means for entrance.
c. There shall be space for the storage of
				  each child's clothing at appropriate levels for the use of children.
d. There shall be adequate storage space for
				  equipment, including cots and blankets, materials, supplies and seasonal
				  toys.
e. There shall be a
				  sufficient quantity of furniture in the center to accommodate the number of
				  children to be enrolled. Furniture shall be safe, durable, child-sized and
				  easily cleaned. It shall conform to all applicable safety regulations. Seating
				  shall be provided for every child.
f. There shall be a minimum of thirty-five
				  (35) square feet of usable floor space for each child in classrooms or activity
				  rooms.