reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-297-5000 - Play equipment

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
For any program that does not operate on public or private
				  school premises, 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.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5000, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-297-5050 - 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 structures.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5050, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-297-5100 - Outdoor supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Program staff
				must be within sight or hearing range of the children when in the licensed
				outdoor space and be available and able to respond if the need arises for the
				safety of the children.
(2) The
				required staff-to-child ratio must be maintained when the children are in the
				licensed outdoor space.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5100, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT › Section 170-297-5125 - Outdoor areas and daily physical activities

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Program staff must provide outdoor
				activities at least twenty minutes for every three hours of care unless
				conditions pose a health and safety risk to the children.
(2) Conditions that may pose a health and
				safety risk include, but are not limited to:
(a) Heat in excess of one hundred degrees
				Fahrenheit;
(b) Cold less than
				twenty degrees Fahrenheit;
(c)
				Lightning storm, tornado, hurricane, or flooding, if there is immediate or
				likely danger to the children;
(d)
				Earthquake;
(e) Air quality
				emergency ordered by a local or state air quality authority or public health
				authority;
(f) Lockdown order by a
				public safety authority; or
(g)
				Other similar incidents.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-297-5150 - Water safety and activity

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) When
				the children in care are involved in swimming or other water activities, the
				program staff must maintain the following water safety precautions:
(a) A minimum staff-to-child ratio of 1:10
				must be maintained;
(b) A certified
				lifeguard, with a nationally recognized certification, must be present at all
				times. Lifeguards are not counted in the staff-to-child ratio;
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-297-5175 - Wading pools - Defined - Supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				A wading pool means an enclosed pool with water depth of two feet or less
				measured without children in the pool that can be emptied and moved.
(2) When a wading pool is used by the
				children, the licensee or program staff must:
(a) Directly supervise the
				children;
(b) Obtain written
				permission from each child's parent or guardian to allow the child to use a
				wading pool;
(c) Maintain
				staff-to-child ratios when children are in a wading pool; and
(d) Daily, empty, clean, and sanitize the
				pool as provided in WAC
				170-297-0010. When the pool is
				soiled with urine, feces, vomit, or blood, the licensee or program staff must
				immediately empty, clean, and sanitize.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-297-5200 - 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 that is not located on public or private school grounds 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. Any opening between fence slats may not be wider than
				three and one-half inches;
(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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-297-5225 - 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 170-297-515 0 through 170-297-5250, 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
				170-297-5175, 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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › WATER SAFETY › Section 170-297-5250 - Bodies of water outside and near licensed space

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The following bodies of water must be
				made inaccessible to children in care, and the child care program must 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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-297-5600 - Staff-to-child ratio

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee
				must provide qualified staff to meet the staffing requirements and ratios
				described in WAC 170-297-5700 at all times during operating hours, including
				off-site trips or when transporting children in care.
(2) The licensee must provide additional
				staff as described in WAC
				170-297-5150 through
				170-297-5250 when children are
				participating in water activities or near water.
(3) At minimum, a 1:15 staff-to-child ratio
				must be maintained at all times.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5600, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-297-5625 - Capacity

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The child care program must not exceed
				the total number or ages of children in attendance stated on the child care
				license.
(2) All children in care
				through twelve years of age in attendance on the premises, attending an
				off-site field trip or activity, or being transported by the licensee or
				program staff are counted in capacity.
(3) All children within the age range on the
				license count in ratio, including children of program 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
				170-297-0050 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 program staff person
				providing individualized supervision for that child does not count in the
				staff-to-child ratio for the other children in care.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5625, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › SUPERVISION, CAPACITY AND RATIO › Section 170-297-5725 - Groups

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The program must provide clearly defined
				licensed space for each group of children.
(2) A 1:15 staff-to-child ratio must be
				maintained at all times.
(3) Group
				size must not exceed thirty children.
(4) Group size may exceed thirty only for
				brief periods of time not to exceed fifteen minutes, or for special events such
				as assemblies or performances.
(5)
				Qualified staff must supervise each group.
(6) The total number of children in all
				groups must not exceed the licensed capacity of the space.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-5725, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-297-5750 - Supervising children

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(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 program staff 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.
(3) The licensee and program staff 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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 170-297-5800 - Orientation for staff

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee or
				designee must provide a program orientation to all new staff on:
(a) Licensing standards in this
				chapter;
(b) The program's policies
				and procedures;
(c) Goals and
				philosophy of the program;
(d)
				Planned daily activities and routines;
(e) Age-appropriate child guidance and
				behavior management methods;
(f)
				Child abuse and neglect prevention, detection, and reporting policies and
				procedures;
(g) Special health and
				developmental needs of individual children if applicable;
(h) Fire prevention, emergency preparedness
				and safety procedures; and
(i)
				Personnel policies.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6000 - Interactions with children

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program staff must:
(1) Actively seek out meaningful
				conversations with children and talk about events of importance to the
				child;
(2) Be available and
				responsive to children and interact on the child's level, encouraging them to
				ask questions, share experiences, ideas and feelings;
(3) Encourage children to evaluate a problem
				and form a resolution rather than impose an adult solution; help children to
				develop mediation and negotiation skills to solve problems;
(4) Foster creativity and
				independence;
(5) Build on
				children's strengths while allowing for mistakes;
(6) Treat equally all children in care
				regardless of race, religion, culture, sex, family structure and
				ability;
(7) Demonstrate positive
				interactions with children and other adults when children are
				present;
(8) Be in frequent verbal
				communication with children in a positive, reinforcing, cheerful and soothing
				way;
(9) Treat each child with
				consideration and respect;
(10)
				Appropriately touch and smile at children;
(11) Speak to the children at their eye level
				when possible and appropriate;
(12)
				Respond to and investigate cries or other signs of distress
				immediately;
(13) 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;
				and
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6025 - Prohibited interactions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
In the presence of the children in care the licensee and
				  program staff must not or allow others to:
(1) Use profanity, obscene language, "put
				downs," 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; and
(e)
				Inflicting pain or humiliation as a punishment.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6050 - Guidance and discipline

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program 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 related to the child's
				  behavior.
(1) Only the licensee or a
				program staff person trained in the child care program's expected standards may
				discipline a child in care.
(2) The
				licensee or designee 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 program staff and volunteers in
				the standards of guidance and discipline policy; and
(d) Any disciplinary actions by the licensee
				or program staff that occur during child care hours.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6075 - Positive options for discipline

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program staff must use positive guidance
				  methods. The guidance methods may include any of the following:
(1) Redirecting;
(2) Planning ahead to prevent
				problems;
(3) Encouraging
				appropriate behavior;
(4)
				Explaining consistent, clear rules;
(5) Allowing children to be involved in
				solving problems; and
(6)
				Explaining to the child the reasonable and age appropriate natural and logical
				consequences related to the child's behaviors.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6075, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6100 - Separating a child from the group

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The
				licensee or program staff may separate a child from other children as a form of
				discipline only long enough to allow the child to regain control of him or
				herself. The child must remain under the direct supervision of the licensee or
				program staff person.
(2) The
				licensee and program staff 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 himself or her in a closet, a bathroom, a
				locked room, outside or in unlicensed space; or
(d) Not use 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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6125 - Preventing harmful or aggressive acts

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program staff must:
(1) Take steps to protect children from the
				harmful acts of other children;
(2)
				Immediately intervene when a child becomes physically aggressive; and
(3) Document serious behavior incidents and
				develop, as needed, individual written behavior plans with parent
				input.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6125, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6150 - Prohibited actions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program staff must not:
(1) Restrict a child's breathing;
(2) Deprive a child of:
(a) Sleep, food, water, clothing or
				shelter;
(b) Needed first aid;
				or
(c) Required or emergency
				medical or dental care.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6175 - Using alternate methods before using physical restraint

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Program staff must be trained on
				alternate methods to use before using physical restraint.
(2) Before using physical restraint, the
				licensee and program staff must first use other methods described in WAC
				170-297-6075 to redirect or
				de-escalate a situation.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6175, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6200 - Physical restraint - Prohibited uses or methods

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee and program staff 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) Hair holds;
(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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6225 - 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 another's protection, the licensee or program staff 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: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6225, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6250 - Notice and documenting use of physical restraint

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
If physical restraint is used the licensee or program staff
				  must:
(1) Report use of physical
				restraint to the child's parent or guardian and the department as required
				under WAC
				170-297-2250;
(2) Assess any incident of physical restraint
				to determine if the decision to use physical restraint and its application were
				appropriate;
(3) Document the
				incident in the child's file; and
(4) Develop a safety plan with the licensor
				if required by the department.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6250, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › NURTURE AND GUIDANCE › Section 170-297-6275 - Abuse and neglect - Protection and training

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee and program staff must:
(a) Protect children in 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 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6400 - Off-site activities - Parent or guardian permission

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Program staff must 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.
(2) Program staff must have a separate
				permission for activities that occur less often than once per calendar
				month.
(3) For scheduled or
				unscheduled off-site activities that may occur more than once a month, the
				licensee must:
(a) Have a signed parent or
				guardian permission on file for each child; and
(b) Inform parents and guardians about how to
				contact program staff when children are on an off-site activity.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6425 - Off-site activity supervision

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When on an off-site activity, the program staff responsible
				  for the care of the children must at all times provide direct sight and sound
				  supervision and be able to promptly assist or redirect the children's
				  activities.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6425, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6450 - Off-site activity - Emergency information and supplies

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When on an off-site activity, program staff 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; and
(d) Permission to administer medications, if
				applicable;
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6475 - Transportation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When transporting children in care, 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
				170-297-6450 and a current copy
				of each child's completed enrollment form;
(3) Maintain the vehicle in safe operating
				condition with vehicle maintenance record available on-site;
(4) Have a valid driver's license to operate
				the type of vehicle being driven, if the licensee, staff, or volunteer is
				driving;
(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: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6475, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6500 - Using public transportation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee or program staff may transport children using
				  public transportation, provided that children are supervised at all times and
				  required staff-to-child ratios are maintained. The licensee and program staff
				  must not allow or send children on public transportation
				  unsupervised.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6500, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6550 - Typical daily schedule

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A typical
				daily schedule must be posted 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, if applicable;
(e) Menus and meal service; and
(f) Outdoor times.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6575 - Activities to promote child growth and development

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) An activity program must be implemented
				that is designed to meet the developmental, cultural, and individual needs of
				the children in care. The activity program must contain a range of learning
				experiences for the children to:
(a) Gain
				self-esteem, self-awareness, conflict resolution, self-control, and
				decision-making abilities;
(b)
				Develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically;
(c) Learn about nutrition, health, and
				personal safety;
(d) Experiment,
				create, and explore; and
(e)
				Recognize and support positive cultural and individual identities.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6600 - Equipment and play materials

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Safe
				equipment and play materials must be provided that are:
(a) Washable and clean; and
(b) Nonpoisonous or free of toxins.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6625 - Art materials

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
All prepackaged art materials used in the child care must be
				  labeled "nontoxic" and as conforming to or meeting "ASTM D-4236." This does not
				  apply to food items used as art materials, bulk paper, or items from the
				  natural environment.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6625, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6650 - Screen time

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When the child care program provides screen time for children
				  in care, the screen time must:
(1) Be
				educational, developmentally and age appropriate;
(2) Have child-appropriate content;
				and
(3) Not have violent or adult
				content.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6650, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6675 - Screen time - Limitations

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee or staff must:
(1) Limit screen time for any child to no
				more than one hour per week, except when children are completing homework
				assignments;
(2) Not require
				children to participate in screen time;
(3) Provide alternative activities to screen
				time; and
(4) Place the television
				screen at least three feet from the children.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-6675, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › PROGRAM › Section 170-297-6775 - Diversity

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee must:
(1) Provide an environment that reflects each
				child's daily life, family culture and language, and the diversity in
				society;
(2) Describe or
				demonstrate to the licensor, or have a written plan for how:
(a) The licensee will discuss with parents
				how the child care reflects that child's daily life and family's culture or
				language; and
(b) The child care
				environment reflects the diversity in society.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7500 - Food and milk must meet USDA guidelines

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Meals and snack foods must be provided to
				children in care according to the most current edition of the U.S. Department
				of Agriculture (USDA) child and adult care food program (CACFP) charts for the
				ages of children in care.
(2) Milk
				must be provided to children in care according to the most current edition of
				the USDA CACFP charts for the ages of children in care.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7500, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7515 - Menus and dietary restrictions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Menus
				must be posted in the licensed space in a place where parents and staff can
				easily view them. Menus must include:
(a) Food
				type and portion sizes planned and served;
(b) Two weeks or more of food variety before
				repeating menus;
(c) Dates;
				and
(d) Any changes that are made
				posted on the menu.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7525 - Parent or guardian-provided food

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A
				parent or guardian may provide alternative food for their child if a written
				food plan is completed and signed by the parent or guardian and the licensee or
				program staff.
(2) A written food
				plan may include accommodations for:
(a) The
				child's medical needs;
(b) Special
				diets;
(c) Religious or cultural
				preference; or
(d) Family
				preference.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7530 - Food sources

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Food sources
				that are not approved include:
(a) Leftover
				food that was previously served from outside the site;
(b) Home canned food due to the risk of
				botulism poisoning;
(c) Donated
				food from restaurants or caterers that was previously served;
(d) Game meat that has not been inspected by
				the USDA; and
(e) Meat, fish,
				poultry or milk that is from a source not inspected for sale.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7575 - Drinking water

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A safe supply
				of drinking water must always be available to each child and must be served in
				a sanitary manner.
(2) Drinking
				water may not be obtained from any handwashing sink.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7575, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7580 - Drinking fountains

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This section is applicable to any program that does not
				  operate on public or private school premises.
(1) Inclined jet-type drinking fountains may
				be used.
(2) Bubble-type drinking
				fountains and drinking fountains attached to or part of sinks used for any
				purpose other than the drinking fountain must not be used.
(3) Drinking fountains must be cleaned and
				sanitized, as provided in WAC
				170-297-0010, on a daily basis or
				more often as needed.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7580, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7625 - Meal and snack schedule

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Meals and snacks must be served based on the
				  following:
(1) Breakfast must be made
				available either by the program or the school;
(2) A snack must be provided for children in
				care for one to three hours after school; and
(3) When all-day care is provided, meals,
				including lunch, and snacks must be served at intervals not less than two hours
				and not more than three and one-half hours apart.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7625, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7650 - Serving foods

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The licensee or
				program staff may:
(a) Serve each child
				individually; or
(b) Serve family
				style in serving containers that allow each child the opportunity to serve
				themselves.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7675 - Food worker card

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Each staff
				person preparing or handling food must obtain and maintain a current Washington
				state department of health food worker card prior to handling or preparing
				food.
(2) At least one individual
				with a food worker card must be on-site during hours when food is
				provided.
(3) The licensee or
				designee must provide orientation and ongoing training as needed for all staff
				involved in food preparation and service.
(4) The licensee must keep a copy of each
				individual's food worker card on file.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7675, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7680 - Safe food handling

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Program staff
				must follow the safe preparation, cooking, and serving guidelines in the
				current edition of the food workers manual prepared by the state department of
				health.
(2) Previously prepared
				food may be served if:
(a) The food was not
				previously served; and
(b) It was
				stored at the proper temperature for less than twenty-four hours after
				preparation.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7700 - Washing dishes

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The licensee or program staff must wash dishes thoroughly
				  after each use by one of the following methods:
(1) Automatic dishwasher; or
(2) Handwashing method, by immersion in hot
				soapy water, rinsing, and sanitizing, as provided in WAC
				170-297-0010, and air
				drying.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7700, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7725 - Food containers and utensils

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				Cookware containers must not be used to cook or reheat food in a microwave
				oven, unless the container is labeled by the manufacturer as "for microwave
				use," "microwave safe," or similar labeling.
(2) The licensee may use disposable serving
				containers, dishes and utensils that are sturdy, used only once and thrown away
				after use.
(3) The licensee must
				keep sharp utensils and other utensils that may cause serious injury or a
				choking hazard inaccessible to children when the utensils are not in
				use.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-7725, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7750 - Food preparation area

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This section is applicable to any program that does not
				  operate on public or private school premises.
(1) The food preparation area must:
(a) Have surfaces that are free of cracks and
				crevices; and
(b) Have a floor made
				of a material that is resistant to moisture.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7800 - Food storage

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Food must be
				stored:
(a) In the original containers or in
				clean, labeled containers that are airtight and off the floor;
(b) In a manner that prevents contamination
				from other sources;
(c) In an area
				separate from toxic materials such as cleaning supplies, paint, or
				pesticides;
(d) With a date that is
				not past the manufacturer's expiration or freshness date; and
(e) In a working refrigerator, cooler, or
				freezer with sufficient space for proper storage and cooling of food, if cold
				holding is required. A calibrated and working food thermometer must be used to
				monitor food temperature. The thermometer must be either a metal stem-type
				thermometer or a digital thermometer.
(i)
				Foods requiring refrigeration must be stored at forty-one degrees Fahrenheit or
				less. Appropriate refrigeration is required to preserve food from spoiling.
				Foods that may be subject to spoiling include, but are not limited to, meats,
				cooked potatoes, cooked legumes, cooked rice, sprouts, cut melons, cut
				cantaloupes, milk and cheese.
(ii)
				Foods requiring freezing must be stored at ten degrees Fahrenheit or less.
				Foods required to be frozen must not be allowed to thaw until such food is
				being prepared for immediate consumption. Frozen food must be thawed in a
				refrigerator, under cool running water inside a pan placed in a sink with the
				drain plug removed; or in a microwave if the food is to be cooked immediately
				as part of the continuous cooking process.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › FOOD SERVICE AND NUTRITION › Section 170-297-7825 - Satellite kitchens

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) When a
				satellite kitchen or catering service is used to provide food to the child care
				program, the child care program must have on file a copy of the permit issued
				by the local health jurisdiction to the satellite kitchen or catering
				service.
(2) When the satellite
				kitchen or catering service does not remain on-site during the food service the
				child care program must develop a system to record the temperature of
				perishable food once it arrives from a satellite kitchen or a catering service.
				The system must include:
(a) The name and the
				temperature of the food;
(b) The
				date and time the temperature was checked; and
(c) The name and signature or recognized
				initials of the person who is checking and recording the food
				temperatures.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING STANDARDS › Section 170-297-8000 - Facility licensing compliance agreements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
At the department's discretion, when a licensee is in
				  violation of this chapter or chapter 43.215 RCW, a facility licensing
				  compliance agreement may be issued in lieu of the department taking enforcement
				  action.
(1) The facility licensing
				compliance agreement contains:
(a) A
				description of the violation and the rule or law that was violated;
(b) A statement from the licensee regarding
				the proposed plan to comply with the rule or law;
(c) The date the violation must be
				corrected;
(d) Information
				regarding other licensing action that may be imposed if compliance does not
				occur by the required date; and
(e)
				Signature of the licensor and licensee.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING STANDARDS › Section 170-297-8010 - Nonreferral status

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
In addition to or in lieu of an enforcement action under this
				  chapter, the department may place a child care facility on no referral status
				  as provided in
				  RCW
				     43.215.300(4).
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-8010, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING STANDARDS › Section 170-297-8025 - Time period for correcting a violation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The length of time the program has to make the corrections
				  depends on:
(1) The seriousness of the
				violation;
(2) The potential threat
				to the health, safety and well-being of the children in care; and
(3) The number of times the program has
				violated rules in this chapter or requirements under chapter 43.215
				RCW.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-8025, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING STANDARDS › Section 170-297-8050 - Civil monetary penalties (fines)

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
A civil monetary penalty (fine) may be imposed when the
				  licensee or program staff violates a rule in this chapter or a requirement in
				  chapter 43.215 RCW.
(1) A fine of two
				hundred fifty dollars per day may be imposed for each violation.
(2) The fine may be assessed and collected
				with interest for each day a violation occurs.
(3) A fine may be imposed in addition to
				other action taken against the license including denial, modification,
				probation, suspension, revocation, or discontinuation.
(4) At the department's discretion, the fine
				may be withdrawn or reduced if the child care program comes into compliance
				during the notification period in WAC
				170-297-8075.
(5) When a fine is assessed the licensee has
				the right to a hearing under chapter 170-03 WAC. The fine notice will include
				information about the licensee's hearing rights and how to request a
				hearing.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-8050, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-297 - Licensed school age child care standards › ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING STANDARDS › Section 170-297-8060 - When fines are levied

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The department may base a fine for violation of a rule under
				  this chapter or a requirement in chapter 43.215 RCW, according to whether the
				  licensee:
(1) Has allowed the
				existence of any condition that creates a serious safety and health
				risk;
(2) Or any staff person uses
				corporal punishment or humiliating methods of control or discipline;
(3) Or any staff person fails to provide the
				required supervision;
(4) Fails to
				provide required light, ventilation, sanitation, food, water, or
				heating;
(5) Provides care for more
				than the highest number of children permitted by the license at one time;
				or
(6) Repeatedly fails to follow
				the rules in this chapter or the requirements in chapter 43.215 RCW. As used in
				this section, "repeatedly" means a violation that has been the subject of a
				facility license compliance agreement that occurs more than once in a
				twelve-month time period.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. 12-23-057, §
											170-297-8060, filed 11/19/12,
					 effective 12/20/12.