Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-300 - FOUNDATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS › RECORDS, POLICIES, REPORTING AND POSTING › Section 170-300-0450 - Parent or guardian handbook and related policies

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) An early learning provider must supply to
				each parent or guardian written policies regarding the early learning program.
				Each enrolled child's record must have signed documentation stating the parent
				or guardian reviewed the handbook and early learning program
				policies.
(2) An early learning
				provider must have and follow formal written policies in either paper or
				electronic format, including:
(a) A
				nondiscrimination statement;
(b) A
				family engagement and partnership communication plan;
(c) A parent or guardian's permission for
				photography, videotaping, or surveillance of his or her child;
(d) Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis use and
				prohibition of illegal drugs;
(e)
				Curriculum philosophy on how children learn and develop, and how this
				philosophy is implemented;
(f)
				Child guidance plan, which includes restraint policies and forbidding corporal
				punishment;
(g) Expulsion
				policy;
(h) Early learning program
				staff-to-child ratios and classroom types offered, if applicable;
(i) If the early learning program offers any
				of the following, they must include a policy for each that applies to their
				program:
(i) Care for children with specific
				or special needs;
(ii) Infant and
				toddler care, covering:
(A)
				Diapering;
(B) Feeding;
(C) Toilet training;
(D) Child sleep pattern; and
(E) Safe sleep requirements.
(iii) Dual language
				learning;
(iv) Religious and
				cultural activities, including how holidays will be celebrated;
(v) Transportation and off-site field
				trips;
(vi) Water
				activities;
(vii) Overnight care;
				and
(viii) How weapons on the
				premises are secured.
(j)
				Program days and hours of operation, including closure dates and observed
				holidays;
(k) Enrollment and
				disenrollment requirements;
(l) Fees
				and payment plans;
(m) Sign-in and
				sign-out requirements;
(n)
				Information required for the child's record, including:
(i) The importance and plan for keeping the
				information current;
(ii) A plan to
				keep the child's information confidential; and
(iii) Who may legally access the child's
				information.
(o) A
				kindergarten transition plan, if applicable;
(p) What parents or guardians must supply for
				their child (for example: Extra clothing or diapers);
(q) Permission for a parent or guardian's
				access to areas of the early learning program during business hours;
(r) Termination of services policy;
(s) Emergency preparedness plan;
(t) The early learning provider and program
				staff's duty to report incidents including reporting suspected child abuse,
				neglect, sexual abuse, or maltreatment;
(u) Policies regarding mixed age groups, if
				applicable (including when children may be in a mixed age group);
(v) Description of where the parent or
				guardian may find and review the early learning program's:
(i) Health policy;
(ii) Staff policies, if applicable;
(iii) Consistent care policy;
(iv) Menus;
(v) Liability insurance;
(vi) Inspection reports and notices of
				enforcement actions, if applicable; and
(vii) Other relevant program
				policies.