Activities – Program and activities Family Home WAC Center WAC Proposed WAC Satisfactory/Minor/Major revisions; Concerns; Suggested Alternate Language Conflicts with ECEAP, Head Start, Schools District Standards and Practices WAC 170-296A-4200 Toys, equipment, and recalled items. The licensee must maintain equipment, toys or other items in the child care in good and safe working condition. The licensee must remove a recalled item as soon as the licensee becomes aware that the item used in the licensee's child care operation has been recalled. WAC 170-296A-6575 Activities to promote child growth and development The licensee must provide activities that support each child’s developmental stage including: (1) Social, emotional and (2) Positive self-concepts; (3) Language and literacy; (4) Physical development, WAC 170-295-2010 What types of play materials, equipment and activities must I provide for children? You must: (1) Provide a variety of easily accessible learning and play materials of sufficient quantity to implement the centers program and meet the developmental needs of children in care. (2) Have a current daily schedule of activities and lesson plans that are designed to meet the children's developmental, cultural, and individual needs. The toys, equipment and schedule must be: (a) Specific for each age group of children; and (b) Include at least one activity daily for each of the following (you can combine several of the following for one activity): 170-300-0150 Program and activities. (1) An early learning provider must provide children in care with early learning materials and equipment that are age and developmentally appropriate. For each age group of children in care, a provider must ensure a sufficient supply of materials and equipment that satisfy individual, developmental, and cultural needs. Early learning materials and equipment must be: (a) Clean; (b) Washable or disposable; (c) Nonpoisonous and free of toxins; (d) Large enough to prevent swallowing or choking; (e) In good and safe working condition;
materials, bulk paper, or items from the natural environment. (2) Infants, toddlers, and preschool age children must be closely supervised when using art materials. (8) Ensure the center’s program affords the child daily opportunities for small and large muscle activities, outdoor play, and exposure to language development and books; WAC 170-295-2030 How should staff interact with children? To facilitate interactions between the staff and children that are nurturing, respectful, supportive and responsive, you must: (3) Provide age –appropriate opportunities for the child to grow and develop intellectually. Examples include: (a) Reading readiness skills; (b) Language skills development; (c) Encouraging the child to ask questions; (d) Counting; (e) Matching objects; (f) Differentiating between large and small; and (g) Sorting. (4) Help each child solve problems with intervention as necessary; (3) An early learning provider must ensure a sufficient quantity and variety of early learning materials and equipment to engage children in the early learning program. The materials must include, but are not be limited to, arts and crafts materials, texture materials, construction materials, manipulative equipment and materials, music and sound materials, books, and social living equipment. Such materials and equipment must: (a) Encourage both active physical play and quiet play activities. (i) Active play materials and equipment include, but are not limited to, toy balls, bean bags, jump ropes, riding toys, and developmentally appropriate climbing equipment.
With regard to the materials to satisfy the cultural needs of children, Caring for Our Children, 3rd Edition notes, at Standard 2.1.1.8, “Indoor and outdoor learning/play environments should have an array of toys, materials, posters, etc. that reflect diverse cultures and ethnicities.” The proposed changes to support supply as well as accessibility of supply are addressed in various provisions throughout Chapter 2. For example, for infants and toddlers, at Standard 2.1.2.3, assumes there is enough supply that is accessible as it states “The indoor and outdoor learning/play environment should encourage and be comfortable with staff on the floor level when interacting with active infant crawlers and toddlers. The indoor and outdoor play and learning settings should provide opportunities for the child to act upon the environment by experiencing age-appropriate obstacles, frustrations, and risks in order to learn to negotiate environmental challenges.” This standard includes the manipulation of objects, i.e. materials. Caring for Our Children, 3rd Edition Standard 2.1.3.2: Opportunities for Learning for Three- to addresses sufficiency of materials and the independence of children. It states “Programs should provide children a balance of guided and self-initiated play and learning indoors and outdoors. These should include opportunities to observe, explore, order and reorder, to make mistakes and find solutions, and to move from the concrete to the abstract in learning. The early learning guidelines of the state, as well, stress the importance of meeting the individual and cultural developmental needs of children. See Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines Birth through 3rd Grade 2012. Likewise, in the 23 meetings in April and May 2016, 467 stakeholders shared their feedback on a set of proposed licensing standards drafts, representing all types of early learning providers and a wide variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, refugee and immigrant, income, and linguistic communities including Native American, African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Yakama Nation, East African, Filipino, Somali-speaking, Oromo-speaking and Russian-speaking. Honoring family culture was an important theme and recommendation of these stakeholders, as was the need to support ongoing child development.
Safety – Safety requirements Family Home WAC Center WAC Proposed WAC Satisfactory/Minor/Major revisions; Concerns; Suggested Alternate Language Conflicts with ECEAP, Head Start, Schools District Standards and Practices WAC 170-296A-4100 Poisons, chemicals and other substances (1) The licensee must: (a) Store poisons inaccessible to children and where poisons will not contaminate food. (b) If poisons are not in the original container, clearly label the container with the name of the product and the words "poison" or "toxic." (2) The following describes chemicals and other substances that must be stored inaccessible to children: (a) Nail polish remover; (b) Sanitizers and disinfectants; (c) Household cleaners and det ergents; (d) Toxic plants; (e) Plant fertilizer; (f) Ice melt products; (g) Pool chemicals; WAC 170-295-5020 How do I maintain a safe environment? You must maintain the building, equipment and premises in a safe manner that protects the children from injury hazards including but not limited to: (a) Burns (for example: Chemicals or other potentially flammable substances); (b) Drowning; (c) Choking (for example: Ropes, wires, blind cords, fences not meeting requirements); (d) Cuts (for example: Broken glass, sharp objects, abrasive surfaces); (e) Entrapments (for example: The following items must not have openings between three and one-half inches and nine inches wide: 170-300-0165 Safety requirements. An early learning provider must keep indoor and outdoor early learning program space, materials, and equipment free from hazards and in safe working condition. Weight #7 An early learning program must purchase and use equipment and toys that are compliant with CPSC guidelines or ASTM standards as now or hereafter amended; and Weight #3 Playground surfaces must have a certificate of compliance, label, or documentation stating they meet ASTM standards F1292-13 and
would prevent the window or door from opening easily. WAC 170-296A-4325 Stairs (1) If there are stairs in the licensed space, the licensee must: (a) Keep the stairway well lit; (b) Keep the stairway free of clutter; and (c) Have a handrail not higher than thirty-eight inches high or sturdy slats on one side of the stairs. (2) The licensee must provide a pressure gate, safety gate, or a door to keep the stairs inaccessible to infants and toddlers when not in use. (3) Openings between slats or on pressure gates or safety gates must not be larger than three and one-half inches wide. WAC 170-296A-4350 Electrical outlets, cords and power strips (1) The licensee must provide tamper-resistant outlet covers or receptacles in areas accessible to children. As used in this section receptacle" also means tamper-resistant outlets (f) Provide a barrier for glass areas such as windows or sliding glass doors that extend down to the child's eye level by placing a barrier between the child and glass or something placed on the glass at the child's eye level such as stickers or art work so that the child does not try to go through the solid glass; (g) Not place cribs, play pens, bassinets, infant beds, indoor climbing structures next to windows unless of safety glass; and (4) You must implement a method to monitor entrance and exit doors to prevent children from exiting the buildings unsupervised. You may use: (a) A door alarm; (b) A bell that can be heard throughout the building; (c) Adult supervision at the exits; or (d) Other method to alert the staff (you may not lock the door to prevent an exit. It is against the fire code). WAC 170-295-5150 risk of strangulation are allowed; A window covering must not be secured to the frame of a window or door used as an emergency exit in a way that would prevent the window or door from opening easily. Making inaccessible to children straps, strings, cords, wires, or similar items capable of forming a loop around a child’s neck. Activities using string, yarn, jump ropes, or other similar items must be supervised at all times; Making inaccessible to children plastic bags and other suffocation hazards; Making inaccessible to children poisons,
or child safety outlets that have automatic shutters which allow insertion of electrical plugs but block insertion of other objects. (2) Interior outlets near sinks, tubs or toilets must be: (a) Tamper-resistant ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) type; or (b) Made inaccessible to the children. (3) Electrical cords must be: (a) Secured to prevent a tripping hazard; (b) In good working order, not torn or frayed and without any exposed wire; and (c) Plugged directly into an outlet or a surge protector. (4) Power strips with a surge protector may be used and must be made inaccessible to the children. (5) Extension cords may be used only for a brief or temporary purpose and must be plugged directly into an outlet or into a surge protected power strip. WAC 170-296A-4360 Area lighting (1) In the licensed space, lighting must be bright in the Are there temperature requirements for my facility? (1) You must maintain all rooms used by children at temperature of: (a) Sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months; and (b) Sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. (2) In addition, you must: (a) Equip the room or building with a mechanical air cooling system or equivalent when the inside temperature of child-occupied areas exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This includes but is not limited to, swamp coolers, fans, air conditioners, or drip systems; chemicals, toxins, or any product labeled “Keep out of reach of children”; Ensuring firearms, guns, weapons, or ammunition are not on the premises of a center early learning program. Firearms, guns, weapons, and ammunition on the premises of a family home early learning program must be stored in a locked gun safe or locked room inaccessible to children. If stored in a locked room, each gun must be stored unloaded and with a trigger lock or other disabling device. The locked room must be inaccessible to children at all times; and Preventing children from attempting to walk or go through a glass door, window, or other glass barrier, there must be stickers or art
children's activity areas, eating areas and the bathroom. (2) All other areas in the licensed space must have lighting so children are safe. 170-296A-4375 Lighting safety (1) When ceiling-mounted light fixtures are in the licensed space accessible to children, the licensee must provide one or more of the following: (a) Shatter-resistant covers; (b) Shatter-resistant light bulbs; or (c) Otherwise make the light fixtures safe. (2) The licensee must not: (a) Allow bare light bulbs in any play space; (b) Use lights or light fixtures indoors that are intended or recommended for outdoor use; or (c) Use halogen lamps in any area accessible to children during operating hours. WAC 170-296A-4725 Guns and other weapons (1) The licensee must store guns, ammunition and other weapons inaccessible to children in a: work placed at child’s eye level on the glass. Cribs, play pens, bassinets, infant beds, and indoor climbing structures must not be placed next to windows unless the window is made of safety glass. Weight #8 An early learning provider must prevent other hazards to children in care in early learning program space including, but not limited to: Cuts, abrasions, and punctures. Equipment, materials, and other objects on the premises that have sharp edges, points, corners, protruding nails, bolts, or other dangers must be repaired, removed, or made inaccessible to children; Burns. Equipment, materials, or products that may be hot enough to injure a child must be made
Safety – Emergency preparation and exiting Family Home WAC Center WAC Proposed WAC Satisfactory/Minor/Major revisions; Concerns; Suggested Alternate Language Conflicts with ECEAP, Head Start, Schools District Standards and Practices WAC 170-296A-2700 Emergency flashlight The licensee must have a working flashlight available for use as an emergency light source and extra batteries if the flashlight is powered by batteries. WAC 170-296A-2775 Telephone (1) The licensee must have a working telephone in the licensed space. (2) The licensee must have a telephone readily available with sufficient backup power to function for at least five hours in the event of an electrical power outage. WAC 170-296A-4400 Exit doors (1) "Exit door" means any door in the licensed space that opens to the exterior of the home. Emergency exit doors are covered in WAC . WAC 170-295-5020 How do I maintain a safe environment? (5) You must maintain one or more telephones on the premises in working order that is accessible to staff at all times. (6) You must maintain a flashlight or other emergency lighting device in working condition. 170-300-0166 Emergency preparation and exiting. To be properly prepared for an emergency, an early learning program must have and follow an emergency preparedness plan pursuant to WAC and comply with the following requirements: A working flashlight or other emergency lighting device must be available for use as an emergency light source. Battery powered flashlights must have an extra set of batteries easily available; and A working telephone must be available for use with sufficient backup power to function for at least five hours. Weight #6
(3) Any appliance or heating device that has a hot surface capable of burning a child must be made inaccessible to the children in care during operating hours when the appliance or device is in use or is still hot after use. WAC 170-296A-2625 Electrical motors The licensee must keep electrical motors on appliances free of accumulated dust or lint. WAC 170-296A-2650 Inspection of fireplaces, wood stoves, or similar wood-burning heating devices Any chimney, fireplace, wood stove or similar device in use in the licensed home must be inspected yearly unless the licensee provides a written statement that the chimney, fireplace, wood stove or similar wood-burning device will not be used at any time. WAC 170-296A-2675 Open flame devices, candles, matches and lighters (6) You must maintain a flashlight or other emergency lighting device in working condition. To ensure a safe environment for children in care, an early learning provider must comply with the following fire safety requirements: Combustible materials. Combustible materials must be properly discarded pursuant to local jurisdictions, removed from the premises, or properly stored in closed metal containers specifically designed to hold such combustible materials. Combustible materials stored in a closed metal container must not be stored in the premises licensed space or any place that may be accessible to children in care. Combustible materials include, burning
(1) Except as provided in WAC or kitchen ranges using natural gas or propane, the licensee must not use or allow the use of open flame devices in the licensed space or any space accessible to the children during operating hours. (2) The licensee must not use or allow the use of candles during operating hours. (3) The licensee must keep matches and lighters inaccessible to children. WAC 170-296A-2725 Portable heaters and generators (1) The licensee must not use or allow the use of portable heaters or fuel powered generators in any area inside of the family home child care or building during operating hours. (2) When a portable generator is in use: (a) The generator must be placed at least fifteen feet from buildings, windows, doors, ventilation intakes, or other places where exhaust fumes but are not limited to, lint, gasoline, natural gas, diesel, fuel, propane, rags soaked in combustible materials, oils, chemicals, or solvents. Furnaces and other heating devices. (i)Paper, rubbish, or other combustible materials must be at least three feet from furnaces, fireplaces, or other heating devices; Furnaces and other heating devices must be inaccessible to children in care; and An appliance or heating device that has a surface capable of a child
may be vented into the home; and (b) Appliances must be plugged directly into the generator or to a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is plugged into the generator. WAC 170-296A-2950 Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (1)(a) The licensee must have and maintain working smoke detectors in the home. (b) At least one smoke detector must be located: (i) In each licensed sleeping area; and (ii) On each level of the home. (c) Smoke detectors must be placed on the ceiling or wall, but not on the wall above any door. (2) The licensee must have and maintain working carbon monoxide detectors in the home as provided in RCW and WAC . (3) One extra battery for each smoke detector and each or reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit must be inaccessible to children in care. Electrical motors. Electrical motor fans and appliances must be regularly cleaned to prevent accumulation of dust or lint. Open flame devices, candles, matches and lighters. Except for the use of a gas kitchen range, open flame devices must not be used in early learning program space or any other space accessible to children in care during operating hours. Candles must not be used during operating
carbon monoxide detector must be kept on the premises. WAC 170-296A-2975 Additional method to sound an alarm In addition to working smoke detectors, the licensee must have an additional method to sound an alarm that is used only in a fire, emergency situation or drill. WAC 170-296A-3000 Fire extinguishers (1) The licensee must have working fire extinguishers, minimum 2 A: BC, readily available. A fire extinguisher must be: (a) Located on each level of the home used for child care; and (b) Mounted: (i) Within seventy-five feet of an exit; and (ii) Along the path of an exit. (2) A fire extinguisher may be mounted in a closed unlocked closet. There must be: (a) A sign on the closet door to indicate that a fire hours, matches, and lighters must be inaccessible to children. Portable heaters and generators. Portable heaters or fuel powered generators must not be used inside early learning program space during operating hours. In case of an emergency, a generator may be used but must be placed at least 15 feet from buildings, windows, doors, ventilation intakes, or other places where exhaust fumes may be vented into the premises or early learning space; and Appliances must be
extinguisher is mounted inside; and (b) No obstructions blocking access to the closet. (3) The licensee must have documentation on file of annual: (a) Fire extinguisher maintenance; or (b) Proof of purchasing new extinguishers. WAC 170-296A-3025 Fire extinguisher, smoke/carbon monoxide detector use and testing The licensee and staff must demonstrate to the licensor how to: (1) Use fire extinguishers; (2) Test and operate the smoke detectors; (3) Test and operate carbon monoxide detectors if required under WAC ; and (4) Test alternate alarm device(s). WAC 170-296A-3050 Monthly fire inspection The licensee must inspect the home once each calendar month to identify possible fire hazards and take action to plugged directly into a generator or into a heavy duty extension cord that is plugged into a generator. Fireplaces, woodstoves, or similar wood burning heating devices. Chimneys, fireplaces, gas burning fireplaces, wood stoves or similar devices must be inspected annually by a state or locally certified inspector, unless the provider submits to the department a written statement that the chimney, fireplace, wood stove or similar word-burning
eliminate any hazards found. If the licensee employs a primary staff person, the primary staff person must participate in monthly fire hazard inspections. The licensee must keep records of monthly inspections. WAC 170-296A-4475 Emergency exit pathways The licensee must keep pathways to all emergency exits free from clutter and obstructions. Emergency exits and pathways to emergency exits are licensed space. WAC 170-296A-4500 Emergency exits—General (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 and the other exit may device will not be used at any time. Fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. An early learning program must have and maintain at least one smoke detector per licensed sleeping area and one per floor. Pursuant to the State Building Code, center early learning providers must comply with WAC and family early learning providers must comply with WAC and An early learning
be a door or an emergency window as defined in WAC . (2) Every room used for child care, except bathrooms, must have two separate ways to exit that must be: (a) An emergency exit door and emergency exit window leading directly to the exterior of the building; (b) An emergency exit door or emergency exit window and an interior door or doorway leading to an emergency exit pathway; or (c) Two separate doors or doorways leading to two separate emergency exit pathways. See WAC for additional requirements for rooms used for sleeping or napping. (3) If child care is provided in a basement or level of the home accessed by an interior stairway, the stairway must have a self closing door at the top or bottom. As used in this section "basement" means the portion of the home that is partly or completely below grade. (4) Any basement approved for licensed child care must program must have and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Pursuant to the State Building Code, the State Building Code, center early learning providers must comply with WAC and family early learning providers must comply with WAC Backup method to sound an alarm. In addition to working smoke detectors, an early learning program must have another method to alert all staff and enrolled children of a fire,
have two means of emergency exit, which may be one of the following: (a) Two emergency exit doors that exit directly to the exterior of the home without entering the first floor; or (b) One of the two emergency exits is an emergency exit window or emergency exit door, and the other exit is an interior stairway that leads to an emergency exit. WAC 170-296A-4525 Emergency exit doors (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. (3) If the emergency exit door opens to a landing that is four feet (forty-eight inches) or more above grade, the landing must lead to a stairway or ramp to get to ground level. emergency situation, or drill. Extinguishers. An early learning program must have and maintain working fire extinguishers that are marked with a minimum rating of 2A:10 BC. Fire extinguishers must be readily available for use in case of an emergency; Fire extinguishers must be located on each level of the early learning program space used by children and mounted within seventy-five feet of an exit next to the path of the exit; and
Safety – Water hazards and swimming pools Family Home WAC Center WAC Proposed WAC Satisfactory/Minor/Major revisions; Concerns; Suggested Alternate Language Conflicts with ECEAP, Head Start, Schools District Standards and Practices WAC 170-296A-5175 Wading pools – Defined – supervision (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. (2) When a wading pool on the premises is intended for use by the children, the licensee must: (b) Obtain written permission from each parent or guardian to allow the child to use a wading pool; (e) use a door alarm or bell to warn staff that children are entering the outdoor area when pool water could be accessed, or keep the wading pool empty when not in use; (f) empty the pool daily; and (g) Clean and disinfect the pool as provide in WAC WAC 170-295-5050 How can I make sure water activities are as safe and sanitary as possible? (1) To ensure that the children are safe with a swimming pool on the premises, you must: (a) Ensure that pools are inaccessible to children when not in use; (c) Follow any guidelines established by our local health jurisdiction or the state department of health; (2) You must prohibit children from using or having access to a hot tub spa, small portable wading pools, whirlpool, or other similar equipment. (3) If you have a water table you must empty and sanitize water tables or similar water play containers after each use and more often if necessary. 170-300-0175 Water hazards and swimming pools. To prevent injury or drowning and ensure the health and safety of children, an early learning provider must comply with the requirements described in this section. The following bodies of water must be inaccessible to children in care by using a physical barrier with a locking mechanism: Swimming pools when not being used as part of the early learning program, hot tubs, spas and jet tubs; Ponds, lakes, storm retention ponds, ditches, fountains, fish ponds, landscape pools or similar bodies of water; and
170-296A-0010 daily or immediately if the pool is soiled with urine, feces, vomit, or blood. WAC 170-296A-5200 Swimming pools defined – Barriers and supervision (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 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. Uncovered wells, septic tanks, below grade storage tanks, farm manure ponds or other similar hazards. Weight #8 An early learning provider must comply with the following requirements when using a swimming pool as part of the early learning program: (a) Comply with the supervision requirements of WAC 170-300-0350; (b) Audible alarms must be on all doors, screens, and gates in licensed areas that lead to a swimming pool. The alarm must be sufficient to warn staff when children enter the outdoor area and could access the swimming pool; (c) Swimming pools must be maintained according to manufacturer specifications; (d) Swimming pools must be cleaned and sanitized according to
(3) The licensee must maintain the swimming pool according to manufacturer’s specifications, including cleaning and sanitizing. (4) When the swimming pool on the premises is used by the children: (a) The licensee must obtain written permission from the parent or guardian of each child using the swimming pool; (e) Children in diapers or toile training must wear swim pants to lower the risk of contaminating the water. WAC 170-296A-5225 Bodies of water or water hazard on the licensed premises. (1) (a) As used in WAC 170-296A- 5150 through 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 a water activity table, small bird baths or rain puddles manufacturer instructions and DOH or local health jurisdiction guidelines; (e) A swimming pool must not be used if the main drain is missing; and (f) Children in diapers or toilet training must wear swim pants to lower the risk of contaminating the water. Weight #8 Unfiltered wading pools must be inaccessible to enrolled children. “Wading pool” means a pool that has a water depth of less than two feet (24 inches). A portable wading pool is one that is formed of molded plastic or inflatable parts, and can be removed after use. Weight #7 For bodies of water not located in early learning program space, but that are in close proximity, a physical barrier on the
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 grad storage tank; farm manure pond or similar hazards that are on the premises. (2) Unless attending a swimming or water play activity, when outside the licensed premises the licensee or staff must keep children from having access to bodies of water that pose a drowning hazard; exit from the body of water must meet the following requirements: Contain a locking mechanism; Be at least five feet tall; Have no openings greater than two inches; Have a or device; A device used to open the locks must be inaccessible to children but readily available to staff; and Weight NA “Swimming pool” means a pool that has a water depth greater than two feet. Weight NA