Section 7 AAC 41.211 - Ratios and program requirements(a) A licensed child care provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(1) shall meet the ratio requirements of 7 AAC 57. A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(2), (3), or (4) shall meet the ratio requirements of the accrediting, certifying, or approving agency.(b) A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(5) shall ensure that the number of children does not exceed the maximum of five children, younger than 13 years of age, and that no more than two children are younger than 30 months of age. Each child younger than 13 years of age receiving care, regardless of the hours in care, must be counted in the maximum number of children allowed, including the provider's own children or other children residing in the provider's home. A child who reaches 13 years of age while receiving authorized care, must be counted in determining the maximum number of five children receiving care.(c) A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(5) shall provide structure and daily activities designed to promote a child's individual physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. To satisfactorily comply with this subsection the provider shall (1) provide direct care and supervision of children at all times;(2) ensure that each child receives responsible supervision that is appropriate to the child's age and developmental needs and that is adequate to prevent injury;(3) demonstrate respect for each child in care and the child's family;(4) support behavior of children with positive guidance and set clear and consistent limits to promote the children's ability for self-discipline;(5) provide children with a variety of age-appropriate learning and social experiences;(6) demonstrate a positive attitude toward bottle weaning, diapering, toilet learning, and individual needs of children;(7) respond appropriately to a child's needs, including responding to a baby's cry as promptly and effectively as possible;(8) prevent exposure of children to high-risk situations, including exposure to physical hazards and encounters with individuals or animals posing a possible danger;(9) use strategies to prevent a child's aggressive behavior and to de-escalate volatile situations;(10) act as a positive role model for children, especially with regard to respecting the feelings and rights of others;(11) provide an environment that respects the gender, culture, ethnicity, family composition, and special emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs of each child;(12) have a schedule and daily plan of activities for each age group; the schedule and plan must provide a balance of quiet and active activities and group and individual activities and must include time for meals, snacks, sleep, toileting according to individual needs, and indoor and outdoor play; for purposes of this paragraph the schedule and plan need not be written, except that a typical daily schedule and plan must be presented with the application for approval;(13) provide opportunities for (A) individual self-expression and imaginative play;(B) at least 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity for every three hours the provider is open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and daily supervised outdoor activity when weather and the individual child's tolerance permit;(C) each child to foster independence;(D) intellectual and social development through use of a variety of activities and materials such as games, toys, books, crafts, puzzles, and blocks; and(E) language development, including encouraging children to talk and read books; and(14) limit screen viewing time, including television, computer, and hand-held devices as follows: (A) prohibit screen-viewing time for children under two years of age; and(B) for children over two years of age, only allow up to one hour of screen-viewing time in a 24-hour period, except for special occasions, and ensure that (i) any screen-viewing time is for physical or educational use that is specifically designed for the interest and benefit of the child; and(ii) children not be required to participate in screen-viewing activities; alternative activities shall be offered as an option for children during those times.(d) In addition to meeting the requirements in (c) of this section, an approved provider caring for infants or toddlers as described in 7 AAC 41 .C)25(b) may not routinely leave a child awake in a crib, swing, or similar device for more than 15 minutes without direct adult contact. The provider shall (1) provide opportunities for a child to develop a caring and nurturing relationship with and attachment to one caregiver whose care for and responsiveness to the child ensures relief of distress, experiences of stimulation and comfort, and satisfaction of the need for a connection with the child's caregiver;(2) provide frequent verbal communication during feeding, changing, and cuddle times;(3) provide physical contact through holding, rocking, and play, as well as bathing, dressing, and carrying a child;(4) allow infants and toddlers ample supervised opportunity during the day to explore and learn on their own outside of a play yard or other restraining device; and(5) ensure that infants are placed on their backs to sleep, unless otherwise ordered by a physician.(e) In addition to meeting the requirements in (c) of this section, an approved provider caring for school-age children as described in 7 AAC 41.025(b) shall provide (1) a program that supplements rather than duplicates the child's school activities, providing a change of pace and interest between school and the child care program;(2) freedom appropriate to the child's age and developmental level, and opportunities for self-reliance and social responsibility; and(3) opportunities for school-age children to participate in the selection and planning of their own activities.(f) The approved provider shall treat children in care equitably with the caregiver's own children.(g) The approved provider shall encourage parental involvement and allow parents unlimited access to their children, to the provider, and to all areas of the child care premises, to observe or participate,(h) In addition to meeting the requirements in (c) of this section, an approved provider caring for a child identified as having special needs shall (1) ensure that the child is afforded opportunities to participate in any scheduled activities, as possible;(2) develop a plan of care under 7 AAC 41.207(c) for that child, unless the provider has reason to believe that, even with reasonable accommodation, the provider cannot meet the child's needs and discharges the child;(3) implement the plan of care developed under 7 AAC 41.207(c) for each child with special needs to enhance the child's health and developmental status; and(4) conduct regularly scheduled reassessments of each child's plan of care to monitor effectiveness.Eff. 1/5/2017, Register 221, April 2017; am 10/31/2019, Register 232, January 2020