Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-300 - FOUNDATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS › INTENT AND AUTHORITY › Section 170-300-0005 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The following definitions apply to this chapter:
"Accessible to children"
means items, areas or
				  materials of an early learning program that a child can reasonably reach,
				  enter, use, or get to on their own.
"Accommodations"
means program curriculum and
				  instruction, activities, spaces, and materials that have been adapted to help
				  children and adults with special need function within their
				  surroundings.
"Active supervision"
or
"actively
				  supervise"
means a heightened standard of care beyond supervision. This
				  standard requires an early learning provider to see and hear the children they
				  are responsible for during higher risk activities. The provider must be able to
				  prevent or instantly respond to unsafe or harmful events.
"ADA"
refers to the Americans with Disabilities
				  Act, as now and hereafter amended.
"Aide"
is a person who offers support to the
				  early learning program staff.
"Allergy"
or
"allergies"
refers to
				  an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most
				  people. During an allergic reaction, the body's immune system treats the
				  substance or "allergen" as an invader. The body overreacts by releasing
				  chemicals that may cause symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to life
				  threatening. Common allergens include certain foods (milk, eggs, fish,
				  shellfish, common tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans) pollen, mold, or
				  medication.
"Annual"
means the calendar year, January 1st
				  through December 31st.
"Applicant"
means an individual who has made a
				  formal request for a child care license, certification, exemption, or portable
				  background check.
"Appropriate"
when used to refer to child care
				  or educational materials means that the materials will interest and challenge
				  children in terms of their ages and abilities.
"Appropriately"
means correct or properly suited
				  for a particular situation.
"Assistant director"
is a person responsible for
				  the overall management of the center early learning program including the
				  facility and operations.
"Assistant teacher"
is a person whose work is to
				  assist a lead teacher or licensee in providing instructional supports to
				  children and implementing a developmentally appropriate program. The assistant
				  must carry out assigned tasks under the supervision of a lead teacher, program
				  supervisor, director, assistant director, or licensee.
"ASTM"
refers to the American Society for
				  Testing and Materials.
"Bathroom"
means a room containing a built-in,
				  flush-type toilet.
"Bias"
means a tendency to believe that some
				  people or ideas are better than others that usually results in treating some
				  people unfairly.
"Body of water"
or
"bodies of
				  water"
is a natural area or human-made area or device that contains or
				  holds a depth of more than two inches of water. Examples include swimming
				  pools, ditches, canals, fish ponds, water retention areas, excavations, and
				  quarries.
"CACFP"
means the Child and Adult Care Food
				  Program established by Congress and funded by the United States Department of
				  Agriculture (USDA).
"Cannabis"
(also known as "marijuana") refers to
				  all parts of the cannabis plant, whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the
				  resin or concentrate extracted from any part of the plant and every compound,
				  manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds,
				  or resin.
"Capacity"
means the maximum number of children
				  an early learning provider is authorized by the department to have in care at
				  any given time. This includes any children on-site at the early learning
				  program and any children in transit to or from the program or other activities
				  such as field trips while the children are signed in to the care of the
				  program.
"Center early learning program"
is a facility
				  providing regularly scheduled care for a group of children birth through twelve
				  years of age for periods of less than twenty-four hours a day, pursuant to
				  RCW
				     43.216.010(1)(a) (child day
				  care center).
"Center early learning program licensee"
or
"center licensee"
means an entity licensed and authorized by the
				  department to operate a center early learning program.
"Certificate of exemption (COE)"
means a form
				  that is approved by the Washington state department of health and consistent
				  with the requirements of WAC
				  246-105-050(2),
				  or an immunization form produced by the state immunization information
				  system.
"Certificate of immunization status (child)"
means a form that is approved by the Washington state department of health and
				  consistent with the requirements of WAC
				  246-105-050(1),
				  or an immunization form produced by the state immunization information
				  system.
"Certification"
means department approval of a
				  person, home, or facility that is exempt from licensing but requests evidence
				  that the program meets these foundational licensing standards.
"Child"
means an individual who is younger than
				  age thirteen, including any infant, toddler, preschool-age child, or school-age
				  child as defined in this chapter.
"Child abuse"
or
"neglect"
means
				  the physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, negligent
				  treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person as defined in
				  RCW
				     26.44.020.
"Child care"
refers to supervision of children
				  outside the child's home for periods of less than twenty-four hours a
				  day.
"Child care basics"
or
"CCB"
means
				  curriculum designed to meet the initial basic training requirement for early
				  learning program staff working in licensed or certified programs in Washington
				  state. It serves as a broad introduction for professionals who are pursuing a
				  career in the early care and education field.
"Chromated copper arsenate"
or
"CCA"
is a wood preservative and insecticide that contains roughly
				  twenty-two percent arsenic, a known carcinogen. The United States restricted
				  the use of CCA on residential lumber in 2003, but it can still be found on
				  older decks and ((playgroup)) playground equipment. Information about the
				  health hazards of arsenic can be found on the department of health's web
				  site.
"Clean"
or
"cleaning"
means to
				  remove dirt and debris from a surface by scrubbing and washing with a detergent
				  solution and rinsing with water. This process must be accomplished before
				  sanitizing or disinfecting a surface.
"Confidential"
means the protection of personal
				  information, such as the child's records, from individuals who are not
				  authorized to see or hear the information.
"Consistent care"
means providing steady
				  opportunities for children to build emotionally secure relationships by
				  primarily interacting with a limited number of early learning program
				  staff.
"Contagious disease"
means an illness caused by
				  an infectious agent of public health concern which can be transmitted from one
				  person, animal, or object to another person by direct or indirect means
				  including transmission through an intermediate host or vector, food, water, or
				  air. Contagious diseases pertinent to this chapter are described in WAC
				  246-110-010.
"Continuous"
means without interruptions, gaps,
				  or stopping.
"Core competencies"
are standards required by
				  the department that detail what early learning providers need to know and are
				  able to do to provide quality care and education for children and their
				  families.
"CPSC"
means the United States Consumer Product
				  Safety Commission.
"Cultural"
or
"culturally"
means in
				  a way that relates to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of different
				  societies.
"Curriculum philosophy"
means a written
				  statement of principles developed by an early learning provider to form the
				  basis of the learning program of activities, including age appropriate
				  developmental learning objectives for children.
"DCYF"
or
"the department"
refers
				  to the Washington state department of children, youth, and families.
"Developmental screening"
is the use of
				  standardized tools to identify a child at risk of a developmental delay or
				  disorder. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics,
Healthy Child Care
				  America, 2009).
"Developmentally appropriate"
means:
(a) An early learning provider interacts with each child in a
				  way that recognizes and respects the child's chronological and developmental
				  age;
(b) Knowledge about how children grow and learn;
(c) Reflects the developmental level of the individual child;
				  and
(d) Interactions and activities are planned with the
				  developmental needs of the individual child in mind.
"Director"
means the person responsible for the
				  overall management of a center early learning program including the facility
				  and operation.
"Disability"
or
"disabilities"
has
				  the same meaning in this chapter as in
				  RCW
				     49.60.040(7), the Washington
				  law against discrimination.
"Discipline"
means a method used to redirect a
				  child in order to achieve a desired behavior.
"Disinfect"
means to eliminate virtually all
				  germs from an inanimate surface by the process of cleaning and rinsing,
				  followed by:
(a) A chlorine bleach and water solution following the
				  manufacturer's instructions; or
(b) Other disinfectant products registered with the EPA, if
				  used strictly according to the manufacturer's label instructions including, but
				  not limited to, quantity, time the product must be left in place, adequate time
				  to allow the product to dry or rinsing if applicable, and appropriateness for
				  use on the surface to be disinfected. Any disinfectant used on food contact
				  surfaces or toys must be labeled "safe for food contact surfaces."
"Disinfectant"
means a chemical or physical
				  process that kills bacteria and viruses.
"Drinking water"
or
"potable water"
is water suitable for drinking by the public as determined by the Washington
				  state department of health or a local health jurisdiction.
"Dual language learners"
refers to children who
				  are learning two or more languages at the same time. This term includes
				  children who learn two or more languages from birth, and children who are still
				  mastering their home language when they are introduced to and start learning a
				  second language. (Source: The
Washington State Early Learning and
				  Development Guidelines.)
"Early achievers"
is a statewide system of
				  high-quality early learning that connects families to early learning programs
				  with the help of an easy to understand rating system and offers coaching,
				  professional development, and resources for early learning providers to support
				  each child's learning and development.
"Early childhood education (ECE) initial
				  certificate"
(twelve quarter credits) is Washington's initial
				  certificate in early childhood education and serves as the point of entry for a
				  career in early learning and covers foundational content for early learning
				  professionals.
"Early childhood education (ECE) short
				  certificate"
(initial certificate plus eight quarter credits) is
				  Washington's short certificate in early childhood education and offers areas of
				  specialization, building on the state's initial certificate.
"Early childhood education (ECE) state
				  certificate"
(short certificate plus twenty-seven quarter credits) is
				  Washington's state certificate in early childhood education and is the
				  benchmark for Level 2 core competencies for early care and education
				  professionals and prepares for the next step, an associate's degree in early
				  childhood education.
"Early learning program"
refers to regularly
				  scheduled care for a group of children birth through twelve years of age for
				  periods of less than twenty-four hours, licensed by the department.
"Early learning program space"
means the
				  licensed indoor and outdoor space on the premises approved by the department
				  for the purpose of providing licensed child care.
"Early learning program staff"
refers to all
				  persons who work, substitute, or volunteer in an early learning program during
				  hours when children are or may be present, excluding licensees.
"Early learning provider"
or
"provider"
refers to an early learning licensee or designee who
				  works in an early learning program during hours when children are or may be
				  present. Designees include center directors, assistant directors, program
				  supervisors, lead teachers, assistants, aides, and volunteers.
"ECEAP"
or
"early childhood education and
				  assistance program"
is a comprehensive preschool program that provides
				  free services and support to eligible children and their families.
"Electronic record"
means a record generated,
				  communicated, received or stored by electronic means for use in an information
				  system or for transmission from one information system to another.
"Electronic signature"
means a signature in
				  electronic form attached to or logically associated with an electronic record
				  including, but not limited to, a digital signature. An electronic signature is
				  a paperless way to sign a document using an electronic sound, symbol, or
				  process, attached to or logically associated with a record, and executed or
				  adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
"Electronic workforce registry"
refers to the
				  Washington state department of children, youth, and families' current database
				  of professional records of individual early learning providers.
"Emergency preparedness"
means a continuous
				  cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and
				  taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination in case
				  of emergencies or during incident response.
"Enforcement action"
means denial, suspension,
				  revocation, modification, or nonrenewal of a license pursuant to
				  RCW
				     43.216.325(3). An early
				  learning provider may contest enforcement actions and seek an adjudicative
				  proceeding pursuant to chapter 110-03 WAC.
"EPA"
means the United States Environmental
				  Protection Agency.
"Equivalency"
when referring to staff
				  qualifications means an individual is allowed to meet the requirements of this
				  chapter through a department recognized alternative credential, or
				  demonstration of competency, that indicates similar knowledge as the named
				  credential.
"Exempt"
or
"exemption"
in regards
				  to immunizations means a type of immunization status approved by the Washington
				  state department of health where a child has not been fully immunized against
				  one or more vaccine preventable diseases due to medical, religious,
				  philosophical or personal reasons.
"Expel"
or
"expulsion"
means to end
				  a child's enrollment in an early learning program. An early learning provider
				  will end a child's enrollment if the provider is unable to meet a child's needs
				  due to the child's challenging behavior.
"Family home early learning program"
means an
				  early learning program licensed by the department where a family home licensee
				  provides child care or education services for twelve or fewer children in the
				  family living quarters where the licensee resides as provided in RCW
				  43.216.-010 (1)(c) (family day care provider).
"Family home early learning program licensee"
or
"family home licensee"
means an individual licensee authorized by
				  the department to operate a family home early learning program within the
				  licensee's family living quarters.
"Family living quarters"
means a family home
				  licensee or applicant's residence and other spaces or building on the
				  premises.
"Food worker card"
means a food and beverage
				  service worker's permit as required under chapter 69.06 RCW.
"Foundational quality standards"
refers to the
				  administrative and regulatory requirements contained within this chapter. These
				  standards are designed to promote the development, health, and safety of
				  children enrolled in center and family home early learning programs. The
				  department uses these standards to equitably serve children, families, and
				  early learning providers throughout Washington state.
"Good repair"
means about eighty percent of
				  materials and components are unbroken, have all their pieces, and can be used
				  by children as intended by the manufacturer or builder.
"Health care provider"
means a person who is
				  licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized by the law of
				  Washington state to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or
				  practice of a profession.
"Household member"
means one or more individuals
				  who live in the same dwelling or share living arrangements, and may consist of
				  family relatives or other groups of people.
"Immunization"
is the process of administering a
				  vaccine to make a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease.
"Inaccessible to children"
means a method to
				  prevent a child from reaching, entering, using, or getting to items, areas, or
				  materials of an early learning program.
"Inactive"
when used by the department to
				  indicate a licensing status, means early learning providers who have requested
				  and have been approved to temporarily cease caring for children and close their
				  early learning program.
"Individual care plan"
means a specific plan to
				  meet the individual needs of a child with a food allergy, special dietary
				  requirement due to a health condition, other special needs, or
				  circumstances.
"Infant"
is a child birth through eleven months
				  of age.
"In-service training"
means professional
				  development requirements for continuing education delivered or approved by the
				  department to maintain staff standards and qualifications while employed as an
				  early learning provider.
"Internal review process"
has the same meaning
				  in this chapter as in
				  RCW
				     43.216.395, as now or hereafter
				  amended.
"Lead teacher"
means an early learning provider
				  who works as the lead staff person in charge of a child or group of children
				  and implements activity programs.
"License"
means a permit issued by the
				  department legally authorizing an applicant to operate an early learning
				  program.
"Licensed space"
means the indoor and outdoor
				  space on the premises approved by the department for the purpose of providing
				  licensed child care.
"Licensee"
means an individual or legal entity
				  listed on a license issued by the department, authorized to provide child care
				  or early learning services in a center or family home setting.
"Lockdown"
means restricted to an interior room
				  with few or no windows while the facility or building is secured from a
				  threat.
"Locking mechanism"
means a lock that requires a
				  key, tumbler, dial, passcode, touchpad, or similar device or method to lock and
				  unlock.
"Modification"
when used in reference to an
				  early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the
				  department to change the conditions identified on a licensee's current
				  license.
"Nonexpiring license"
means a license that is
				  issued to an early learning provider following the initial licensing period,
				  pursuant to chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Operating hours"
means the hours listed in an
				  early learning program parent handbook when the program is open and providing
				  care and services to children.
"Parent"
or
"guardian"
means birth
				  parent, custodial parent, foster parent, legal guardian or those authorized by
				  the parent or entity legally responsible for the welfare of the child.
"Peer interaction"
refers to relationships
				  children have with one another, which includes how infants and toddlers play
				  near one another and how preschoolers play together, communicate, and whether
				  they fight or get along.
"Personal needs"
means an early learning
				  provider's toileting or medication needs. Personal needs do not include smoking
				  or use of tobacco products, illegal drug use or misuse or prescription drugs,
				  conducting business or related activities, sleeping or napping, screen time, or
				  leaving children in care unattended.
"Pest"
means an animal, plant, or insect that
				  has a harmful effect on humans, food, or living conditions.
"Pesticide"
refers to chemicals used to kill
				  pests.
"Pet"
means a domestic or tamed animal or bird
				  kept for companionship or pleasure.
"Physical barrier"
means a nonclimbable fence or
				  a wall that is at least five feet tall and has no openings greater than two
				  inches or a gate or door that allows entry to and exit from a body of water and
				  has the following requirements in addition to those already listed: A locking
				  mechanism, a self-closing or self-latching device, and a device used to open
				  the locks which is inaccessible to children but readily available to
				  staff.
"Physical restraint"
means holding a child as
				  gently as possible for the minimum amount of time necessary to control a
				  situation where that child's safety or the safety of others is
				  threatened.
"Poison"
includes, but is not limited to,
				  substances, chemicals, chemical compounds (other than naturally occurring
				  compounds such as water or salt), or similar items that even in small
				  quantities, are likely to cause injury or illness if it is swallowed or comes
				  into contact with a child's skin, eyes, mouth, or mucus membranes.
"Premises"
means the licensed and unlicensed
				  space at the licensed address including, but not limited to, buildings, land,
				  and residences.
"Preschool-age children"
means children thirty
				  months through six years of age not attending kindergarten or elementary
				  school.
"Preservice training"
means professional
				  development standards or requirements for early learning program staff prior to
				  hiring or within a department specified time frame and delivered or approved by
				  the department.
"Private septic system"
means a septic system as
				  defined in chapter 246-272A WAC that is not connected to a public sewer system
				  or a large on-site sewage system as defined in chapter 246-272B WAC. A private
				  septic system includes, but is not limited to, the septic system's drain field
				  and tanks.
"Probationary license"
has the same meaning as
				  in
				  RCW
				     43.216.010(23).
"Professional development support plan"
is a
				  formal means by which an individual who is supervising staff sets out the
				  goals, strategies, and outcomes of learning and training.
"Program supervisor"
means the center early
				  learning provider responsible for planning and supervising the learning and
				  activity program.
"RCW"
means the Revised Code of
				  Washington.
"Readily available"
means able to be used or
				  obtained quickly and easily.
"Revocation"
or
"revoke"
when used
				  in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an
				  enforcement action by the department to close an early learning program and
				  permanently remove the license.
"Routine care"
means typical or usual care
				  provided to a child during the time the child is enrolled in the early learning
				  program (for example: Feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, resting, playing,
				  and learning).
"Safe route"
means a way or course taken to get
				  from a starting point to a destination that is protected from danger or
				  risk.
"Safety plan"
means a written plan to implement
				  program changes to bring an early learning program into compliance with this
				  chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW. Safety plans are developed at meetings
				  involving at least an early learning provider and a department licensor and
				  supervisor. Safety plans detail changes the provider needs to make to mitigate
				  the risk of direct and indirect harm to children enrolled in the early learning
				  program. Program changes shall be agreed to in writing and signed by all
				  participants at the meeting. Safety plans expire thirty calendar days after
				  being signed by all parties. Safety plans may only be extended for an
				  additional thirty days and extensions may only be authorized by a department
				  supervisor.
"Sanitize"
means to reduce the number of
				  microorganisms on a surface by the process of:
(a) Cleaning and rinsing with water at a high temperature
				  pursuant to this chapter; or
(b) Cleaning and rinsing, followed by using:
(i) A chlorine bleach and water solution following the
				  manufacturer's instructions; or
(ii) Other sanitizer product if it is registered with the EPA
				  and used strictly according to manufacturer's label instructions including, but
				  not limited to, quantity used, time the product must be left in place, adequate
				  time to allow the product to dry, and appropriateness for use on the surface to
				  be sanitized. If used on food contact surfaces or toys, a sanitizer product
				  must be labeled as "safe for food contact surfaces."
"School-age children"
means a child not less
				  than five years of age through twelve years of age who is attending
				  kindergarten or elementary school.
"Screen time"
means watching, using, or playing
				  television, computer, video games, video or DVD players, mobile communication
				  devices, or similar devices.
"Serious injury"
means an injury resulting in an
				  overnight hospital stay; a severe neck or head injury; choking or serious
				  unexpected breathing problems; severe bleeding; shock or an acute confused
				  state; sudden unconsciousness; dangerous chemicals in eyes, on skin, or
				  ingested; near drowning; one or more broken bones; a severe burn requiring
				  professional medical care; poisoning; or an overdose of a chemical
				  substance.
"Shelter in place"
means staff and children
				  staying at the facility due to an external threat such as a storm, chemical or
				  gas leak or explosion, or other event that prohibits the occupants from safely
				  leaving the facility.
"Sign"
means an individual formally placing
				  their name or legal mark on a document by physical signature or electronic
				  signature.
"Sleeping equipment"
includes a bed, cot,
				  mattress, mat, crib, bassinet, play yard or "pack and play" but does not
				  include a car seat or infant swing.
"Special needs"
is a term used for children who
				  require assistance due to learning difficulties, physical disability, or
				  emotional and behavioral difficulties and who have documentation in the form of
				  an individual educational plan (IEP), individual health plan (IHP), 504 plan,
				  or an individualized family service plan (IFSP).
"Staff"
means any early learning provider
				  providing care in the early learning program.
"Strengthening families program self-assessment"
refers to a research informed approach to increase family strengths, enhanced
				  child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is
				  based on engaging families, programs, and communities in building five
				  protective factors:
(a) Parental resilience;
(b) Social connections;
(c) Knowledge of parenting and child development;
(d) Concrete support in times of need; and
(e) Social and emotional competence of children.
"Supervise"
or
"supervision"
means
				  an early learning provider must be able to see or hear the children they are
				  responsible for at all times. Early learning providers must use their knowledge
				  of each child's development and behavior to anticipate what may occur to
				  prevent unsafe or unhealthy events or conduct, or to intervene in such
				  circumstances as soon as possible. Early learning providers must also
				  reposition themselves or the children to be aware of where children are and
				  what they are doing during care. An early learning provider must reassess and
				  adjust their supervision each time child care activities change. See "active
				  supervision" for a heightened standard of care.
"Suspend"
when used in reference to an early
				  learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the
				  department to temporarily stop a license in order to protect the health,
				  safety, or welfare of enrolled children or the public.
"Swimming pool"
means a pool that has a water
				  depth greater than two feet (24 inches).
"Technical assistance"
means a service provided
				  to early learning providers by department staff or a contracted third party.
				  The goal of technical assistance is to offer guidance, information, and
				  resources to help a provider fully comply with the licensing requirements of
				  this chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Toddler"
means a child twelve months through
				  twenty-nine months of age.
"Tummy time"
means placing an infant in a
				  nonrestrictive prone position, lying on his or her stomach when not in sleeping
				  equipment.
"Transition"
is the process or period of time to
				  change from one activity, place, grade level, or sleeping arrangement to
				  another.
"Unlicensed space"
means the indoor and outdoor
				  areas of the premises not approved by the department as licensed space that the
				  early learning provider must make inaccessible to the children during child
				  care hours.
"Unsupervised access"
as used throughout this
				  chapter has the same meaning as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"USDA"
means the U.S. Department of
				  Agriculture.
"Usable space"
means the areas that are
				  available at all times for use by children in an early learning program and
				  meets licensing requirements.
"Vapor product"
means any:
(a) Device that employs a battery or other mechanism to heat
				  a solution or substance to produce a vapor or aerosol intended for
				  inhalation;
(b) Cartridge or container of a solution or substance
				  intended to be used with or in such a device or to refill such a device;
				  or
(c) Solution or substance intended for use in such a device
				  including, but not limited to, concentrated nicotine, nonnicotine substances,
				  or supplemental flavorings. This includes any electronic cigarettes, electronic
				  nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigars, electronic cigarillos, electronic
				  pipes, hookahs, steam stones, vape pens, or similar products or devices, as
				  well as any parts that can be used to build such products or services. "Vapor
				  product" does not include any drug, device, or combination product approved for
				  sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration that is marketed and
				  sold for such approved purpose.
"Variance"
is an official approval by the
				  department to allow an early learning program to achieve the outcome of a rule
				  or rules in this chapter in an alternative way than described due to the needs
				  of a unique or specific program approach or methodology. The department must
				  grant a request for variance if the proposed alternative provides clear and
				  convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all enrolled
				  children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have the right
				  to appeal the department's disapproval of request for variance under chapter
				  110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a variance disapproval on a department
				  form.
"Volunteer"
includes any person who provides
				  labor or services to an early learning provider but is not compensated with
				  employment pay or benefits. A volunteer must never have unsupervised access to
				  a child unless the volunteer is the parent or guardian of that child or is an
				  authorized person pursuant to WAC 110-300-0345(1)(c). "Unsupervised access" has
				  the same meaning here as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"WAC"
means the Washington Administrative
				  Code.
"Wading pool"
means a pool that has a water
				  depth of less than two feet (24 inches).
"Waiver"
is an official approval by the
				  department allowing an early learning provider not to meet or satisfy a rule in
				  this chapter due to specific needs of the program or an enrolled child. The
				  department must grant a request for waiver if the proposed waiver provides
				  clear and convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all
				  enrolled children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have
				  the right to appeal the department's disapproval of a waiver request under
				  chapter 110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a waiver disapproval on a
				  department form.
"Walking independently"
means an individual is
				  able to stand and move easily without the aid or assistance of holding on to an
				  object, wall, equipment, or another individual.
"Washington state early learning and development
				  guidelines"
refers to guidelines published by the department, the
				  Washington state office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI), and
				  thrive Washington for children birth through third grade that outlines what
				  children know and are able to do at different stages of their
				  development.
"Water activities"
means early learning program
				  activities in which enrolled children swim or play in a body of water that
				  poses a risk of drowning for children. Water activities do not include using
				  sensory tables.
"Weapon"
means an instrument or device of any
				  kind that is used or designed to be used to inflect harm including, but not
				  limited to, rifles, handguns, shotguns, antique firearms, knives, swords, bows
				  and arrows, BB guns, pellet guns, air rifles, electronic or other stun devices,
				  or fighting implements.
"Written food plan"
is a document designed to
				  give alternative food to a child in care because of a child's medical needs or
				  special diet, or to accommodate a religious, cultural, or family preference. A
				  parent or guardian and the early learning provider must sign a written food
				  plan.