reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4475 - Emergency exit pathways

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must keep pathways to all emergency exits free
				  from clutter and obstructions. Emergency exits and pathways to emergency exits
				  are licensed space.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4475, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4500 - Emergency exits - General

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Each level
				of the home (floor) used for licensed child care space must have at least two
				emergency exits that open directly to the exterior of the home.
(a) The emergency exits on each floor must be
				remotely located from each other, at opposite ends of the building or as widely
				spaced as possible.
(b) One exit
				must be an emergency exit door as defined in WAC
				170-296A-4525 and the other exit
				may be a door or an emergency window as defined in WAC
				170-296A-4550.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4525 - Emergency exit doors

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) An emergency
				exit door must open to the exterior of the home.
(2) Any door used as an emergency exit door
				must:
(a) Remain unlocked from the inside
				during operating hours; and
(b) Be
				easy to open to the full open position.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4550 - Emergency exit windows

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Any window used
				as an emergency exit window must:
(a) Remain
				unlocked during operating hours, except a manufacturer-installed latch may be
				latched;
(b) Be designed to open
				from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special
				knowledge; and
(c) Be easy to open
				to the full open position.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4575 - Emergency exits from areas used only for sleeping/napping areas

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Each room used for sleeping or napping must have two ways to
				  exit:
(1) One exit must be an
				emergency exit door or emergency exit window leading directly to the exterior
				of the building;
(2) The other exit
				may be an interior door leading to an emergency exit pathway.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4575, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4600 - Commercial use areas - Fire wall

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The
				licensed space must have a fire resistant wall separating the child care space
				from any space used as a commercial:
(a)
				Kitchen;
(b) Boiler;
(c) Maintenance shop;
(d) Laundry;
(e) Woodworking shop;
(f) Storage where flammable or combustible
				materials are stored;
(g) Painting
				operation;
(h) Automobile or boat
				building or repair;
(i) Parking
				garage; or
(j) Other similar
				commercial operation.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4625 - Bathrooms

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must provide at least one
				indoor bathroom in the licensed space with:
(a) A working flush-type toilet;
(b) Privacy for toileting for children of the
				opposite sex who are four years of age or older and for other children
				demonstrating a need for privacy;
(c) A mounted toilet paper dispenser and
				toilet paper for each toilet; and
(d) A toilet of an appropriate height and
				size for children, or have a platform for the children to use that is safe,
				easily cleanable and resistant to moisture.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4650 - Bathroom floors

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Floors in a
				bathroom or toileting area must have a washable surface and be resistant to
				moisture. The floor must be cleaned and disinfected as provided in WAC
				170-296A-0010 daily or more often
				if needed.
(2) Removable rugs may
				be used in the bathroom. The rugs must be laundered and sanitized as provided
				in WAC 170-296A-0010 at least weekly or
				more often if needed.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 12-21-050, §
											170-296A-4650, filed 10/12/12,
					 effective 11/12/12; 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4650, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4675 - Bathroom sinks

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
A sink used for handwashing must be located in or next to
				  bathrooms. The sink must:
(1) Have
				warm running water; and
(2) Be of
				appropriate height and size for children, or have a platform for the children
				to use that is safe, easily cleanable and resistant to moisture.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4675, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4700 - Water temperature

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Hot water must be kept at temperature not less than eighty
				  degrees and not more than one hundred twenty degrees
				  Fahrenheit.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4700, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4725 - Guns and other weapons

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must store guns, ammunition and other weapons inaccessible to children in a:
(a) Locked gun safe; or
(b) Locked room.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › EXITS › Section 170-296A-4750 - Storage for each child's belongings

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must provide separate storage for each child's
				  belongings. Belongings of children from the same family may be stored
				  together.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4750, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS › Section 170-296A-4800 - Pet and animal policy

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
A licensee who has a pet or other animals on the premises
				  must:
(1) Inform children's parents
				and guardians that the licensee has a pet or other animals; and
(2) Have a pet/animal policy in the parent
				handbook that includes:
(a) How children will
				have access to pets or other animals;
(b) How children will be kept safe around
				pets or other animals;
(c) Pet or
				animal immunizations; and
(d)
				Handling of pet or animal waste.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS › Section 170-296A-4850 - Pet/animal health and safety

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Pets or other animals that have contact with children
				  must:
(1) Have current immunizations
				for contagious diseases if applicable;
(2) Show no signs of disease, worms or
				parasites; and
(3) Be
				nonaggressive.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  43.215.060,
				  43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
				  RCW. WSR 13-21-110, §
										170-296A-4850, filed 10/22/13,
				  effective 11/22/13; WSR 11-23-068, §
										170-296A-4850, filed 11/14/11,
				  effective 3/31/12. WSR 13-21-003, §
										170-296A-4850, filed 10/3/2013,
				  effective 11/3/2013
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS › Section 170-296A-4875 - Pets or other animals interacting with children

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee:
(1) Or
				primary staff person must directly supervise, or instruct staff to directly
				supervise, children preschool age and younger when the children are interacting
				with pets or other animals.
(2)
				Must have children and staff wash their hands as required under WAC
				170-296A-3625 after interacting
				with pets or other animals, or after handling an animal's toys, bedding, litter
				or equipment.
(3) Must have a
				written plan to keep a pet or other animal inaccessible to the children if the
				pet or animal is known to be dangerous or aggressive.
(4) Must make reptiles and amphibians
				inaccessible to the children due to the risk of Salmonella.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4875, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS › Section 170-296A-4900 - Pet wastes

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must:
(1) Keep litter boxes inaccessible to the
				children.
(2) For pets that do not
				have an indoor litter area, have a designated area outside for pets to relieve
				themselves that is inaccessible to children in care. This area may not be
				counted in the licensed outdoor square footage under WAC
				170-296A-4925.
(3) Remove feces right away if an animal
				relieves itself in the outdoor licensed space.
(4) Clean and disinfect the area immediately
				when a pet leaves feces, urine, blood, or vomit in the indoor licensed
				space.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4900, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-4925 - Licensed outdoor space

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must provide a safe outdoor play area on the premises.
(a) The outdoor play space must contain
				seventy-five square feet of usable space per child for the number of children
				stated on the license.
(b) If the
				premises does not have seventy-five square feet of available outdoor space per
				child, the licensee may provide an alternative plan, approved by the
				department, to meet the requirement for all children in care to have daily
				opportunities for active outdoor play.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-4950 - Rails on platforms, decks, and stairs

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				Platforms or decks (not including play equipment) used at any time for child
				care activities with a drop zone of more than eighteen inches must have
				guardrails in any area where there are no steps.
(2) Outdoor stairs with four or more steps
				must have slats (balusters) or a hand rail not higher than thirty-eight inches
				high on at least one side. Openings between the slats must be no wider than
				three and one-half inches. This requirement does not apply to outdoor play
				equipment with stairs.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 12-21-050, §
											170-296A-4950, filed 10/12/12,
					 effective 11/12/12; 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-4950, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-5000 - Play equipment

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must have play equipment that is developmentally appropriate and maintained in
				a safe working condition. The licensee must inspect play equipment at least
				weekly for injury hazards, broken parts, or damage. Unsafe equipment must be
				repaired immediately or must be made inaccessible to children until repairs are
				made.
(2) Play equipment must be
				arranged so that it does not interfere with other play equipment when in
				use.
(3) The licensee must install
				or assemble new play equipment acquired after March 31, 2012, according to
				manufacturer specifications, and keep specifications on file for review by the
				licensor.
(4) For used or
				"hand-made" play equipment, or for play equipment acquired and installed prior
				to March 31, 2012, the licensee must assemble the equipment in a manner that
				provides a safe play experience for the children.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5000, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-5025 - Outdoor physical activities

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must have an outdoor play area that promotes a
				  variety of age and developmentally appropriate active play for the children in
				  care.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5025, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-5050 - Bouncing equipment prohibited

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must not use or allow the use of bouncing
				  equipment including, but not limited to, trampolines, rebounders and inflatable
				  equipment. This requirement does not apply to bounce balls with or without
				  handles for use by individual children.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5050, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-5075 - Playground equipment - Ground cover - Fall zones

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must not place climbing play
				equipment on concrete, asphalt, packed soil, lumber, or similar hard surfaces
				when being used by children.
(2)
				The ground under swings and play equipment intended to be climbed must be
				covered by a shock absorbing material. Grass alone is not an acceptable ground
				cover material under swings or play equipment intended to be climbed.
				Acceptable ground cover includes:
(a) Pea
				gravel - At least nine inches deep;
(b) Playground wood chips - At least nine
				inches deep;
(c) Shredded recycled
				rubber - At least six inches deep; or
(d) Other department approved
				material.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-296A-5125 - Daily outdoor activity

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee or staff must provide outdoor activities at
				  least thirty minutes each day unless conditions pose a health and safety risk
				  to the children. Conditions that may pose a health and safety risk include, but
				  are not limited to:
(1) Heat in excess
				of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit;
(2) Cold less than twenty degrees
				Fahrenheit;
(3) Lightning storm,
				tornado, hurricane, or flooding, if there is immediate or likely danger to the
				children;
(4) Earthquake;
(5) Air quality emergency ordered by a local
				or state air quality authority or public health authority;
(6) Lockdown order by a public safety
				authority; or
(7) Other similar
				incidents.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5125, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-296A-5150 - Water activity - Supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When children in care are attending a swimming or water play
				  activity outside the licensed premises:
(1) The licensee must have written permission
				from each child's parent or guardian;
(2) There must be a certified lifeguard on
				duty; and
(3) When infants or
				toddlers are in water depth that is:
(a)
				Twenty-four inches or less, the licensee or staff must stay within reach of
				infants or toddlers; or
(b) Greater
				than twenty-four inches, the licensee must provide one-to-one staff-to-child
				ratio for each infant or toddler. Staff must hold or be in constant touch
				contact with each infant or toddler.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-296A-5175 - Wading pools - Defined - Supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				A wading pool:
(a) Is an enclosed pool with
				water depth of two feet or less measured without children in the pool;
				and
(b) Can be emptied and
				moved.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-296A-5200 - Swimming pools defined - Barriers and supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A swimming pool is a pool that has a
				water depth greater than two feet.
(2) When there is a swimming pool on the
				premises the licensee must provide:
(a) A door
				alarm or bell on each door opening to the pool area to warn staff when the door
				is opened;
(b) A five-foot high
				fence that blocks access to the swimming pool. When the fence has slats the
				openings between slats must not be wider than three and one-half inches
				wide;
(c) Gates with a
				self-latching device at entrance and exit points to the swimming pool and lock
				each gate; and
(d) An unlocking
				device that is inaccessible to children but readily available to the licensee
				or staff.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-296A-5225 - Bodies of water or water hazards on the licensed premises

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
(a) As
				used in WAC
				170-296A-5150 through
				170-296A-5250, a "body of water"
				is a natural area or man-made area or device that contains or holds more than
				two inches of water.
(b) "Body of
				water" does not include a wading pool as defined in WAC
				170-296A-5175, a water activity
				table, small bird baths or rain puddles with a water depth of two inches or
				less.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-296A-5250 - Bodies of water outside and near licensed space

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must make the following
				bodies of water inaccessible to children in care, and have a written safety
				plan approved by the department for:
(a)
				Ponds, lakes, storm retention ponds, ditches, fountains, fish ponds, landscape
				pools or similar bodies of water located outside and near (in close proximity
				to) the licensed space, regardless of whether the body of water is on or off
				the premises; or
(b) Any uncovered
				well, septic tank, below grade storage tank; farm manure pond or similar
				hazards that are on the premises.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5400 - Infant-toddler only license (birth to two years old)

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5400, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5450 - Two through five year old only license

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5450, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5500 - School age only license (over five years through twelve years)

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5500, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5550 - Birth through twelve years license

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				The department issues an initial license or nonexpiring full license for the
				licensee to care for not more than twelve children birth through twelve years
				of age.
(2) The department may
				issue an initial license or nonexpiring full license for fewer than twelve
				children if the total square footage of licensed indoor or outdoor space is
				less than the minimum square footage required to care for twelve
				children.
(3) If the licensee has
				less than one year of child care experience, the department may issue an
				initial license limited to:
(a) Caring for
				not more than six children; or
(b)
				Caring for children older than eighteen months of age and walking
				independently.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5600 - Staff-to-child ratio

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must provide qualified staff to fulfill the staffing requirements and ratios
				described in WAC
				170-296A-5700 at all times during
				all operating hours, including off-site trips or when transporting children in
				care.
(2) The licensee must provide
				additional staff as described in WAC
				170-296A-5150,
				170-296A-5175, or
				170-296A-5225 when children are
				participating in water activities or activities near water.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5600, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5625 - Capacity and ratio

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must not exceed the total number or ages of children in care (capacity) stated
				on the child care license.
(2) All
				children in care through twelve years of age in attendance on the premises or
				being transported by the licensee or staff or a household member are counted in
				capacity.
(3) Any child within the
				age range on the license count in ratio, including the licensee's own children,
				children of staff, or visiting children who are not accompanied by an
				adult.
(4) The licensee must
				receive department approval to care for a child with special needs as
				documented in WAC
				170-296A-0050 if the child is
				older than the maximum age identified on the license. A child with documented
				special needs may be in care up to age nineteen and must be counted in
				ratio.
(5) If an individual child
				with special needs requires individualized supervision, a staff member
				providing individualized supervision for that child does not count in the
				staff-to-child ratio for the other children in care.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5625, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-296A-5700 - Capacity and ratio table - Birth through twelve year license

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The table in this section describes the required
				  staff-to-child ratio, age composition of children in care, and maximum licensed
				  capacity permitted in a licensed family home child care depending on
				  the:
(1) Licensee's years of
				experience;
(2) Number and
				qualifications of staff providing care:
Staff
Licensee Minimum Experience and
								Requirements
Staff-Child Ratio
Age Range
Maximum Number of Children by Age
								Group:
Maximum Capacity
Under 18 months of age
2
(a)
Licensee working alone
Less than one year of experience
1:6
Birth through 12 years of age
or
6
Under two years of age (One must be walking
								independently)
Maximum of 2 children under the age of two not
								walking independently
3
18 months to 2 years
(Must be walking independently)
2
(b)
Licensee working alone
At least one year of experience
1:8
18 months through 12
years of age
or
8
Under three years of age (Not more than two under
								two years of age and must be walking independently)
All children must be walking independently
4
(c)
Licensee working alone
At least two years of experience and 10 hours of
								annual ongoing early childhood education equivalent STARS training
1:10
Three years through 12
years of age
Not Applicable
10
Under 18 months of age
2
and
(d)
Licensee working with primary staff person or
								assistant (2 persons total)
Licensee has at least one year of experience
2:9
Birth through 12
years of age
18 months to two years of age and walking
								independently
9
1
and
Two years to three years of age
4
Under 18 months of age
4
and
(e)
Licensee working with primary staff person or
								assistant (2 persons total)
Licensee has two or more years child care
								experience and 10 hours of annual ongoing early childhood education equivalent
								STARS training
2:12
Birth through 12
years of age
18 months to two years of age and walking
								independently
12
Maximum four children not walking
								independently
2
and
Two years to three years of age
4
(f)
Licensee working with primary staff person or
								assistant (2 persons total)
Licensee has two or more years child care
								experience and 10 hours of annual ongoing early childhood education equivalent
								STARS training
2:12
Two years of age through 12 years of age
Not Applicable
12
(3)
				As used in this section, "walking independently" means being able to stand and
				move about easily without the aid or assistance of or holding on to an object,
				wall, equipment or other person.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-5700, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-296A-5750 - Supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Supervising children.
(1) The licensee must provide required
				staffing levels, staff-to-child ratios and supervision for the number of
				children in attendance.
(2) The
				licensee or primary staff person must be aware of what the children are doing
				at all times and be available and able to promptly assist or redirect
				activities when necessary. If unable to see the children, the licensee or
				primary staff person must frequently go to the area where the children are
				located to check on them. For the purposes in this section frequently is
				defined as on many occasions with little time between them.
(3) The licensee must consider the following
				when deciding how closely to supervise the children:
(a) Ages of the children;
(b) Individual differences and
				abilities;
(c) Layout of the indoor
				and outdoor licensed space and play area;
(d) The risk associated with the activities
				children are engaged in; and
(e)
				Any nearby hazards including those in the licensed or unlicensed
				space.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-296A-5775 - Licensee absence

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must have a written policy and procedure for staff to follow any time the
				licensee is absent from the child care. The policy and procedure must include,
				but is not limited to:
(a) A staffing plan to
				include:
(i) That a qualified primary staff
				person will be present and in charge at all times during the licensee's
				absence;
(ii) Staff roles and
				responsibilities;
(iii) How
				staff-to-child ratios will be met; and
(iv) How staff will meet the individual needs
				of children in care;
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-296A-5810 - Licensee notice of absences

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The
				licensee must notify the department forty-eight hours prior to the following
				absences when the absence is during child care hours:
(a) Outside employment;
(b) Vacation or absence exceeding seven
				consecutive days when the child care will remain open; or
(c) Regular absences scheduled during child
				care hours. As used in this section, "regular absence" is an absence that is
				planned and reoccurring, and is more than four hours duration.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-296A-5825 - Licensee absence - Retraining for staff if standards are violated

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must provide an orientation
				to all staff on licensing standards in this chapter and chapter 170-300 WAC,
				including the licensee's policies and procedures, and document when the
				training occurred and identify staff that received the training.
(2) If the department issues a facility
				license compliance agreement as a result of staff not following the licensing
				standards of this chapter in the licensee's absence, the licensee must:
(a) Retrain the staff on the licensing
				standards in this chapter and chapter 170-300 WAC; and
(b) Document that the retraining
				occurred.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6000 - Interactions with children

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and staff members must:
(1) Demonstrate positive interactions with
				children and other adults when children are present;
(2) Interact with children through listening
				and responding to what the children have to say;
(3) Be in frequent verbal communication with
				children in a positive, reinforcing, cheerful and soothing way. Explain
				actions, even to very young babies;
(4) Treat each child with consideration and
				respect;
(5) Appropriately hold,
				touch and smile at children;
(6)
				Speak to the children at their eye level when possible and
				appropriate;
(7) Be responsive to
				children, encouraging them to share experiences, ideas and feelings;
(8) Respond to and investigate cries or other
				signs of distress immediately;
(9)
				Perform age or developmentally appropriate nurturing activities that:
(a) Take into consideration the parent's own
				nurturing practices;
(b) Promote
				each child's learning self-help and social skills; and
(c) Stimulate the child's
				development.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6025 - Prohibited interactions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
In the presence of the children in care the licensee and
				  staff must not or allow others to:
(1)
				Use profanity, obscene language, "put downs," or cultural or racial
				slurs;
(2) Have angry or hostile
				interactions;
(3) Use name calling
				or make derogatory, shaming or humiliating remarks; or
(4) Use or threaten to use any form of
				physical harm or inappropriate discipline, such as, but not limited to:
(a) Spanking children;
(b) Biting, jerking, kicking, hitting, or
				shaking;
(c) Pulling
				hair;
(d) Pushing, shoving or
				throwing a child; or
(e) Inflicting
				pain or humiliation as a punishment.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6050 - Guidance and discipline

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and staff must use consistent, fair and positive
				  guidance and discipline methods. These methods must be appropriate to the
				  child's developmental level, abilities, culture and are related to the child's
				  behavior.
(1) Only the licensee or
				primary staff person trained in the licensee's expected standards may
				discipline a child in care.
(2) The
				licensee is responsible for developing a written policy including:
(a) Setting standards for guidance and
				discipline;
(b) Communicating to
				parents, guardians, and children in care what the policy is;
(c) Training staff and volunteers in the
				standards of guidance and discipline policy; and
(d) Any disciplinary actions by the licensee
				or staff that occur during child care hours.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6075 - Positive options for discipline

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and staff must use positive guidance methods.
				  The guidance methods may include any of the following:
(1) Distracting;
(2) Redirecting;
(3) Planning ahead to prevent
				problems;
(4) Encouraging
				appropriate behavior;
(5)
				Explaining consistent, clear rules;
(6) Allowing children to be involved in
				solving problems; and
(7)
				Explaining to the child the reasonable and age appropriate natural and logical
				consequences related to the child's behaviors.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6075, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6100 - Separating a child from the group

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The
				licensee or staff may separate a child three years or older from other children
				as a form of discipline only long enough to allow the child to regain control
				of himself or herself. The child must remain under the direct supervision of
				the licensee or primary staff person.
(2) The licensee or primary staff person
				must:
(a) Take into account the child's
				developmental level and ability to understand the consequences of his or her
				actions;
(b) Communicate to the
				child the reason for being separated from the other children;
(c) Not discipline any child by separating
				the child from the group and placing him or her in a closet, a bathroom, a
				locked room, outside or in unlicensed space; or
(d) Not use high chairs, car seats and other
				confining space or equipment for the purpose of punishment or restricting a
				child's movements.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6125 - Harmful or aggressive acts of children

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and staff must:
(1) Take steps to protect children from the
				harmful acts of other children; and
(2) Immediately intervene when a child
				becomes physically aggressive.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6125, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6150 - Prohibited actions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee or staff must not or allow others to:
(1) Restrict a child's breathing;
(2) Deprive a child of:
(a) Sleep, food, clothing, shelter, or
				physical activity;
(b) Needed first
				aid; or
(c) Required or emergency
				medical or dental care;
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6175 - Using alternate methods before using physical restraint

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must train the primary staff
				person on alternate methods to use before using physical restraint.
(2) Before using physical restraint, the
				licensee and staff must first use other methods described in WAC
				170-296A-6075 to redirect or
				deescalate a situation.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6175, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6200 - Physical restraint - Prohibited uses or methods

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee, staff, or household members must not
				  use:
(1) Physical restraint as a form
				of punishment or discipline;
(2)
				Mechanical restraints including, but not limited to, handcuffs and belt
				restraints;
(3) Locked time-out or
				isolation space;
(4) Bonds, ties,
				tape, or straps to restrain a child; or
(5) Physical restraint techniques that
				restrict breathing or inflict pain. These include, but are not limited to:
(a) Restriction of body movement by placing
				pressure on joints, chest, heart, or vital organs;
(b) Sleeper holds, which are holds used by
				law enforcement officers to subdue a person;
(c) Arm twisting;
(d) Pulling hair;
(e) Choking or putting arms around the
				throat; or
(f) Chemical restraint
				such as mace or pepper spray.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6225 - Physical restraint - Holding method allowed

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When a child's behavior makes it necessary for his or her own
				  or other's protection, the licensee or primary staff person may restrain the
				  child, by holding the child as gently as possible. A child must not be
				  physically restrained longer than necessary to control the
				  situation.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6225, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6250 - Notice and documenting use of physical restraint

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) If physical restraint is used, the
				licensee must within twenty-four hours:
(a)
				Report the use of physical restraint to the child's parent or guardian and the
				department as required under WAC
				170-296A-2250;
(b) Assess any incident of physical restraint
				to determine if the decision to use physical restraint and its application were
				appropriate; and
(c) Document the
				incident in the child's file, including what happened before, during and after
				the child was restrained.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-296A-6275 - Abuse and neglect - Protection and training

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee and staff must:
(a) Protect children in child care from all
				forms of child abuse or neglect as defined in
				RCW
				   26.44.020; and
(b) Report suspected or actual abuse or
				neglect as required under
				RCW
				   26.44.030 to DSHS children's administration
				intake (child protective services) or law enforcement.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6400 - Off-site activities - Parent or guardian permission

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee must:
(a) Have written permission from the parent
				or guardian prior to the child engaging in off-site activities. The written
				permission must be kept in the child's file.
(b) Have a separate permission for activities
				that occur less often than once per calendar month.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6425 - Off-site activity supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When on an off-site activity, the licensee and staff
				  responsible for the care of the children must at all times provide supervision,
				  and be able to promptly assist or redirect the children's
				  activities.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6425, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6450 - Off-site activity - Emergency information and supplies

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When on an off-site activity, the licensee must have
				  available:
(1) An emergency consent
				form for each child that includes:
(a)
				Emergency contact information;
(b)
				Permission to obtain medical treatment for the child in the event of a medical
				emergency;
(c) A list of the
				child's allergies, if applicable;
(d) Permission to administer medications, if
				applicable; and
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6475 - Transportation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When transporting children the licensee, staff, and
				  volunteers must:
(1) Follow
				RCW
				   46.61.687 and other applicable law regarding
				child restraints and car seats;
(2)
				Carry in the vehicle all items required under WAC
				170-296A-6450 and a current copy
				of each child's completed enrollment form;
(3) Maintain the vehicle in safe operating
				condition;
(4) Have a valid
				driver's license;
(5) Have a
				current insurance policy that covers the driver, the vehicle, and all
				occupants;
(6) Take attendance each
				time children are getting in or getting out of the vehicle;
(7) Never leave children unattended in the
				vehicle; and
(8) Maintain required
				staff-to-child ratio and capacity.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6475, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6500 - Using public transportation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee may transport children using public
				  transportation, provided that children are supervised at all times and required
				  staff-to-child ratios are maintained. The licensee or staff must not allow or
				  send children on public transportation unsupervised.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6500, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6525 - Transporting children - Limited periods

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must not transport or allow the transport of
				  children in care for periods of more than two hours per day on a regular and
				  ongoing basis.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 43.215.060,
					 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215
					 RCW. 11-23-068, §
											170-296A-6525, filed 11/14/11,
					 effective 3/31/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-296A - Licensed family home child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-296A-6550 - Developmental activities

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must have and post a typical daily schedule that includes program
				activities.
(2) The typical daily
				schedule must include:
(a) Hours of
				operation;
(b) Types of activities,
				including screen time;
(c) General
				timelines for activities;
(d)
				Routine transportation times;
(e)
				Meal service;
(f) Rest
				periods;
(g) Outdoor times;
				and
(h) If applicable, overnight
				care.