D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-360

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 43, October 25, 2024

Rule 29-360 - 24-HOUR FACILITIES

360.1

Each Child Development Facility that offers twenty-four (24) hour care shall comply with all applicable requirements contained in this Chapter, in addition to the specific requirements listed in this section.

360.2

The Facility shall ensure that each activity is appropriate both for the period of the day and for the age of each participating child.

360.3

The Facility shall obtain written consent from a child's parent(s) or guardian(s) before Facility staff bathe and/or shower that child, with the exception that, in emergency situations such as regurgitation or bedwetting, Facility staff may take appropriate measures to clean an affected child.

360.4

Each Facility shall meet the following requirements for rest and sleep:

(a) If a child is in the care of the Facility after 6:00 p.m. on a regular basis, the Facility shall establish a bedtime routine, in consultation with that child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and taking into account the age and developmental needs of the child and the time of the child's scheduled pickup from the Facility, on the first day of enrollment, and the Facility shall document the routine in that child's record;

(b) If a child is in the care of the Facility after 6:00 p.m. on an occasional basis, the Facility shall establish a bedtime routine, in consultation with that child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and taking into account the age and developmental needs of the child and the time of the child's scheduled pick-up from the Facility, on each such occasion;

(c) The Facility shall provide each enrolled child with an individual bed, cot, or crib that is appropriate for the child's age and size;

(d) The Facility shall ensure that bed linens are changed before the bed, cot, or crib is used by a different child;

(e) The Facility shall provide, or shall ensure that each enrolled child's parent(s) or guardian(s) provide, appropriate clothing for the child to wear while sleeping;

(f) The Facility shall ensure that all cribs, cots, and beds are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;

(g) If a Facility provides one or more bunk beds for the use of enrolled children, the Facility shall ensure that no child under seven (7) years of age is placed in a top bunk;

(h) The Facility shall ensure that all beds, cots, cribs and mattresses have firm surfaces and meet the standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission;

(i) The Facility shall ensure that all beds, cots, and cribs, when in use, are placed at least two (2) feet apart, and that each is at least two (2) feet away from any radiator and/or window;

(j) The Facility shall ensure that no bed, cot or crib blocks or impedes access to any exit;

(k) The Facility shall ensure that no other person shares a bed, cot or crib with an enrolled child;

(l) The Facility shall ensure that no enrolled child five (5) years of age or older shares a sleeping room with an adult;

(m) The Facility shall ensure that staff monitor sleeping children at least once every three (3) hours, and maintain a written record of this monitoring; and

(n) The Facility shall provide night-lights near the exit of each sleeping room, along each hallway adjacent to a sleeping room, and near each bathroom to be used by enrolled children during the overnight hours.

360.5

Each Facility that provides twenty-four (24) hour care to school-age children shall comply with the following additional requirements:

(a) The Facility shall establish a homework routine for each school-age child, in consultation with the parent(s) or guardian(s) of that child, on the first day of enrollment, and shall document the routine in that child's record;

(b) The Facility shall ensure that each school-age child is afforded quiet time and is provided with a quiet area for doing homework, as needed;

(c) The Facility staff shall provide assistance with homework, when needed; and

(d) If an enrolled child is to go to school directly from the Facility, the Facility shall enter into a written agreement with that child's parent(s) or guardian(s), on or before the first day of enrollment, that specifies the means by which the child shall get to school and the person(s) responsible for accompanying the child to school, and the Facility shall maintain a copy of this agreement in the child's record.

360.6

Each Facility shall comply with all applicable requirements concerning nutrition that are contained elsewhere within this Chapter, in addition to the following special requirements:

(a) The Facility shall provide or serve dinner and a snack to each child scheduled to remain in care overnight, unless the Facility and the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) enter into a written agreement specifying that the child will eat dinner before arriving at the Facility; and

(b) The Facility shall provide breakfast to each child who has been in care overnight at the Facility and is going directly from the Facility to school.

360.7

Each Facility providing twenty-four (24) hour care shall comply, at all times, with the adult/child ratio and staff qualifications requirements contained in this Chapter.

360.8

The Facility shall ensure that staff members are available at all times to attend to the needs of the children, and that at least one (1) adult staff member is awake and within sight and hearing range of the children at all times.

360.9

The Facility shall establish and implement emergency contingency plans, to address both medical and non-medical emergencies at all hours of the day during which care may be provided, including during natural and/or man-made emergencies that necessitate evacuation from the Facility, temporary displacement from the Facility, or confinement to the Facility.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-360

Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 003793 (April 27, 2007)