RELATES TO: KRS Chapter 13B, 158.030, 186.018, 186.020, 189.125, 194A.050(1), 199.011(3), (4), 199.894(1), (5), 199.895, 199.8951, 199.896(18), 199.897, 199.898, 199.8982, 214.010, 214.036, 311.646, 314.011(5), 527.070(1), 600.020, 620.020(8), 620.030, 7 C.F.R. 226.20, 16 C.F.R. 1219, 1220, 1221, 45 C.F.R. 98.2, 49 C.F.R. 571.213, 20 U.S.C. 6081-6084, 42 U.S.C. 9831-9852, 9857-9858r
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 194A.050(1) requires the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to operate programs and fulfill the responsibilities vested in the cabinet, qualify for the receipt of federal funds, and cooperate with other state and federal agencies for the proper administration of the cabinet and its programs. KRS 199.8982(1)(f) requires the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to establish standards for the issuance, monitoring, release of information, renewal, denial, revocation, and suspension of a certificate of operation, and to impose minimum staff-to-child ratios for a family child-care home. The statute authorizes the cabinet to establish minimum safety requirements for operation of a certified family child-care home. This administrative regulation establishes minimum requirements intended to protect the health, safety, and welfare of children cared for by certified family child-care home providers.
Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Assistant" means a person: (a) Who meets the requirements listed in Section 2(6) and Section 10(6), (7), and (8) of this administrative regulation; and(b) Whose work is either paid or unpaid.(2) "Cabinet" is defined by the KRS 199.011(3) and 199.894(1).(3) "Child" is defined by KRS 199.011(4).(4) "Contract substitute staff member" means a person who temporarily assumes the duties of a regular staff person, meets the requirements established in Section 11 of this administrative regulation, and receives payment from a contract entity rather than the child care center.(5) "Corporal physical discipline" is defined by KRS 199.896(18).(6) "Developmentally appropriate" means suitable for the specific age range and abilities of a child.(7) "Family child-care home" is defined by KRS 199.894(5).(8) "Health professional" means a person actively licensed as a: (c) Advanced practice registered nurse; or(d) Registered nurse as defined by KRS 314.011(5) under the supervision of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse.(9) "Home" means the private primary residence of the certified family child-care home provider and contiguous property.(10) "Infant" means a child who is less than twelve (12) months of age.(11) "Parent" is defined by 45 C.F.R. 98.2.(12) "Parental or family participation" means a family child-care home's provision of information or inclusion of a child's parent in the child-care home's activities, including: (a) Distribution of a newsletter;(b) Distribution of a program calendar;(c) A conference between the provider and the parent; or(d) Other activity designed to engage a parent in the program's activities.(13) "Pediatric abusive head trauma" is defined by KRS 620.020(8).(14) "Premises" means the building and contiguous property in which child care is certified.(15) "Preschool-age" means a child who is older than a toddler and younger than school-age.(16) "Provider" means an owner, operator, or person who:(a) Cares for a child in the provider's own home;(b) Is not required to be licensed under 922 KAR 2:090; and(c) Meets the requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation.(17) "Related" means having one (1) of the following relationships with the provider:(g) Child in legal custody of the provider.(18) "School-age child" means a child who meets the age requirements of KRS 158.030 or who attends kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education.(19) "Toddler" means a child between the age of twelve (12) months and thirty-six (36) months.Section 2. Certification Process. (1) The cabinet or its designee shall be responsible for certifying a family child-care home.(2) An applicant for certification shall: (a) Show proof by photo identification or birth certificate that the individual is at least eighteen (18) years of age;(b) Obtain commercial liability insurance of at least $50,000 per occurrence; and(c) Submit within ninety (90) days of initiation of the application process:1. A completed OIG-DRCC-03, Initial Certification Application for Family Child-Care Home;2. A nonrefundable certification fee of ten (10) dollars pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b);3. Written documentation from the local authority showing the child-care home is in compliance with local zoning requirements;4. Documentation of the requirements of KRS 199.8982(1)(a) 1 through 3 and 5;5. Background checks completed in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; and6. A physician's statement documenting that the family child-care home provider's health is satisfactory for operation of a family child-care home, including that the provider is free of active tuberculosis.(3) An applicant for certification shall have a:(a) High school diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), or documentation from a comparable educational entity; or(b) Commonwealth Child Care Credential in accordance with 922 KAR 2:250.(4) An applicant shall be currently certified by an agency approved in accordance with 922 KAR 2:240 in infant, child, and adult:(a) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and(5) An adult living in the home of the applicant, present during the hours of operation or having unsupervised contact with a child in care, and the applicant's assistant shall: (a) Complete background checks in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; and(b) Submit a copy of negative tuberculin results or a health professional's statement documenting that the adult is free of active tuberculosis.(6) If an adult other than an adult listed on the initial application begins living in the provider's home, present during the hours of operation or having unsupervised contact with a child in care, the adult shall submit to background and health checks within thirty (30) calendar days of residence within the household.(7) Upon receipt of a completed application for certification, and a nonrefundable certification fee pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b), cabinet staff shall:(a) Review and process the application; and(b) Conduct an unannounced inspection of the home pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b), including review of the evacuation plan in accordance with Section 19(7) of this administrative regulation.(8) If the requirements of 922 KAR 2:280, subsections (1) through (7) of this section, and Sections 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation have been met, an applicant shall be certified as described in KRS 199.8982.(9) Within three (3) months of submission to the cabinet of a complete OIG-DRCC-03, an applicant shall: (a) In accordance with KRS 199.8982(1)(a)(6), demonstrate completion of six (6) hours of cabinet-approved pre-service orientation training in the following topics: 1. Federal minimum health and safety requirements established in 45 C.F.R. 98.41 related to: a. Prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunization;b. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices;c. Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental consent;d. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;e. Building and physical premises safety, including identification of and protection from hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic;f. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment;g. Emergency preparedness and response planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human-caused event;h. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biological contaminants; andi. Precautions in transporting children;2. Recognizing and reporting child abuse; and3. Developmentally appropriate practices; and(b) Develop and implement a written plan for obtaining:1. Three (3) hours of cabinet-approved training within the first year of operation, including one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training in accordance with KRS 199.8982(2); and2. Nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved training annually between July 1 and the following June 30 of each subsequent year of operation, including one and one-half (11/2) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training completed once every five (5) years as required in Section 10(1) of this administrative regulation.(10)(a) A family child-care home certificate shall:1. Be displayed in a prominent place, as required by KRS 199.8982(1)(c);2. Contain the: a. Name and address of the child care provider;b. Maximum number of unrelated children who may be served;c. Identification number; andd. Effective and expiration dates; and3. Be valid for only the:a. Name of the individual authorized on the certificate to operate a family child-care home; andb. Residential address printed on the certificate.(b) A certified family child-care home whose certificate is suspended or revoked shall:1. Receive a new certificate indicating that the provider is under adverse action; and2. Post the new certificate in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection.(11) A change of location shall require:(a) A ten (10) calendar day notice;(b) A completed OIG-DRCC-03;(c) An inspection of the new home; and(d) Continued compliance with this administrative regulation.Section 3. Renewal of Certification. (1) A family child-care certification shall expire two (2) years from the date of issuance unless the certificate holder meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. A certificate that expires shall lapse and shall not be subject to appeal.(2) A family child-care home provider shall submit one (1) month prior to expiration of the provider's certification: (a) A completed OIG-DRCC-04, Certified Family Child-Care Home Renewal Form;(b) A nonrefundable renewal fee of ten (10) dollars every two (2) years pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b);(c) A physician's statement documenting that the family child-care home provider's health is satisfactory for continued operation of a family child-care home; and(d) Proof that the family child-care home provider continues to meet the minimum requirements specified in Sections 2, 3, and 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation.(3) The cabinet shall: (a) Review and process the OIG-DRCC-04 submitted in accordance with subsection (2) of this section;(b) Conduct an unannounced inspection of the home pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b); and(c) Approve the family child-care home within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the OIG-DRCC-04 submitted in accordance with subsection (2) of this section if the requirements in Sections 2, 3, and 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation are met.(4) The cabinet shall conduct an annual unannounced inspection of the home pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(b) and 42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(2)(K).Section 4. Statement of Deficiency and Corrective Action Plans. (1) If the cabinet finds a provider noncompliant with Sections 2, 3, or 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation, the cabinet or its designee shall complete a written statement of deficiency.(2) Except for a violation posing an immediate threat, a family child-care home shall submit a written corrective action plan to the cabinet or its designee within fifteen (15) calendar days from receipt of the statement of deficiency to eliminate or correct the regulatory violation.(3) A corrective action plan shall include: (a) Specific action undertaken to correct a violation;(b) The date action was or shall be completed;(c) Action utilized to assure ongoing compliance;(d) Supplemental documentation requested as a part of the plan; and(e) The signature of the provider and the date of signature.(4) The cabinet or its designee shall review the plan and notify a family child-care home within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of a plan, in writing, of the decision to: (b) Not accept the plan; or(c) Deny, suspend, or revoke the family child-care home's certification in accordance with Section 5, 6, 7, or 8 of this administrative regulation.(5) A notice of unacceptability shall state the specific reasons a plan was not accepted.(6) A family child-care home notified of an unaccepted plan shall:(a) Submit an amended plan within fifteen (15) calendar days of notification; or(b) Have its certification revoked or denied for failure to:1. Submit an acceptable amended plan; or2. Implement corrective measures identified in the corrective action plan.(7) If a family child-care home fails to submit an acceptable corrective action plan or does not implement corrective measures in accordance with the corrective action plan, the cabinet shall deny or revoke a provider's certification.(8) The cabinet shall not review or accept more than three (3) corrective action plans from a family child-care home in response to the same written statement of deficiency.(9) An administrative regulatory violation reported on a statement of deficiency that poses an immediate threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a child shall be corrected by the family child-care home provider within five (5) working days of notification.(10) The voluntary relinquishment of a family child-care home's certification shall not preclude the cabinet's pursuit of adverse action.Section 5. Denial of Application for Certification.(1) An application for initial certification as a family child-care home shall be denied if the applicant, an assistant, or an adult residing in the household has a history of behavior that may impact the safety or security of a child in care including: (a) A disqualifying criterion or background check result in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; or(b) Other behavior or condition indicating inability to provide reliable care to a child.(2) An application for certification as a family child-care home provider shall be denied if the applicant or certificate holder:(a) Fails to comply with the minimum certification standards specified in Sections 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation and KRS 199.8982;(b) Knowingly misrepresents or submits false information on the application or other form required by the cabinet or its designee;(c) Refuses, during the hours of operation, access by:1. A parent of a child in care, the cabinet, the cabinet's designee, or another agency with regulatory authority to:b. The provider's premises; or2. The cabinet, the cabinet's designee, or another agency with regulatory authority to the provider's records;(d) Is placed on a directed plan of correction more than two (2) times in a three (3) year period; or(e) Has been discontinued or disqualified from participation in: 1. The Child Care Assistance Program established by 922 KAR 2:160, including an intentional program violation in accordance with 922 KAR 2:020; or2. Another governmental assistance program due to fraud, abuse, or criminal conviction related to that program.(3) Effect of previous denial or revocation.(a) If an applicant has had a previous child care registration, certification, or license subject to denial, revocation, or voluntary relinquishment pending an investigation or adverse action, the cabinet shall grant the applicant a certificate to operate a family child-care home if:1. A seven (7) year period has expired from the:a. Date of the prior notice of denial or revocation; orb. Date the certification, license, or registration was voluntarily relinquished as a result of an investigation or a pending adverse action; and2. The applicant has: a. The proven ability to comply with the provisions of this administrative regulation and KRS 199.8982;b. Completed, since the time of the prior denial or revocation, sixty (60) hours of cabinet-approved training in developmentally appropriate child care practice; andc. Not had an application, registration, certificate, or license to operate as a child care provider denied or revoked for:(i) A disqualifying criterion or background check result in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; or(ii) Discontinuation or disqualification from participation in the Child Care Assistance Program established by 922 KAR 2:160, including an intentional program violation in accordance with 922 KAR 2:020, or another governmental assistance program due to fraud, abuse, or criminal conviction related to that program.(b) If a certificate is granted after the seven (7) year period specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the provider shall serve a two (2) year probationary period during which the home shall be inspected on at least a quarterly basis.Section 6. Directed Plan of Correction (DPOC).(1) If the cabinet determines that a certified family child-care home provider is in violation of this administrative regulation or 922 KAR 2:280, based on the severity of the violation, the cabinet:(a) Shall enter into an agreement with the provider directing the requirements for remedying a violation and achieving compliance;(b) Shall notify or require the provider to notify a parent of a child who may be affected by the situation for which a DPOC has been imposed;(c) Shall increase the frequency of monitoring by cabinet staff to verify the implementation of the DPOC;(d) May require the certified family child-care home to participate in additional training; and(e) May amend the agreement with the certified family child-care home if the cabinet identifies an additional violation during the DPOC period.(2) A DPOC shall result in a suspension or revocation of certification or shall be modified to impose additional requirements if a certified family child-care home provider: (a) Fails to meet a condition of the DPOC; or(b) Violates a requirement of the DPOC.Section 7. Suspension. The cabinet shall take emergency action in accordance with KRS 13B.125.(1) An emergency order issued pursuant to this section shall: (a) Be served to a certified family child-care home provider in accordance with KRS 13B.050(2); and(b) Specify the regulatory violation that caused the emergency condition.(2) Upon receipt of an emergency order, a provider shall surrender the certificate of operation to the cabinet.(3) The cabinet or its designee and the provider shall make reasonable efforts to:(a) Notify a parent of each child in care of the suspended provider; and(b) Refer a parent for assistance in locating alternate child care arrangements.(4) A certified family child-care home required to comply with an emergency order issued in accordance with this section may submit a written request for an emergency hearing within twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of the order to determine the propriety of the certification's suspension.(5) The cabinet shall conduct an emergency hearing within ten (10) working days of the request for hearing in accordance with KRS 13B.125(3).(6)(a) Within five (5) working days of completion of the hearing, the cabinet's hearing officer shall render a written decision affirming or reversing the emergency order to suspend certification.(b) The emergency order shall be affirmed if there is substantial evidence of an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare.(7) A provider's certification shall be revoked if the condition that resulted in the emergency order is not corrected within thirty (30) calendar days of service of the emergency order.Section 8. Revocation.(1) A family child-care home provider's certification shall be revoked if a provider: (a) Knowingly misrepresents or submits false information on the application or other form required by the cabinet or its designee;(b) Interferes with a cabinet representative's ability to perform an official duty;(c) Refuses, during the hours of operation, access by:1. A parent of a child in care, the cabinet, the cabinet's designee, or another agency with regulatory authority to:b. The provider's premises; or2. The cabinet, the cabinet's designee, or another agency with regulatory authority to the provider's records;(d) Is convicted of, or enters an Alford or guilty plea to, a criminal charge that threatens the health, safety, or welfare of a child in care;(e) Is unable to operate a family child-care home due to a medical condition;(f) Does not meet the requirements of KRS 199.8982(1) or Sections 2, 3, and Sections 10 through 20 of this administrative regulation;(g) Is placed on a directed plan of correction more than two (2) times in a three (3) year period; or(h) Has been discontinued or disqualified from participation in:1. The Child Care Assistance Program established by 922 KAR 2:160, including an intentional program violation in accordance with 922 KAR 2:020; or2. Another governmental assistance program due to fraud, abuse, or criminal conviction related to that program.(2)(a) If the cabinet determines that a condition of subsection (1) of this section exists, the cabinet or its designee shall send a written notice of its intention to revoke the certificate to the family child-care home by personal service delivery or through certified mail.(b) Subsequent to the notice provided in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection, a family child-care home's failure to request an appeal pursuant to Section 9 of this administrative regulation shall result in the final determination revoking the home's certification.(3) The notice of revocation shall: (a) Explain the reason for the revocation;(b) Specify that the child care provider shall cease operation as a certified family child-care home upon revocation;(c) Advise the family child-care home provider of the right to request an appeal on an OIG-DRCC-05, Certified Family Child-Care Home Request for Appeal, prior to the effective date of the revocation;(d) Specify that revocation shall be stayed if an appeal is requested; and(e) Require the family child-care home provider to surrender the certificate of operation to cabinet staff when the revocation becomes effective.(4) If a provider's certification has been revoked, the cabinet or its designee and the provider shall make reasonable efforts to:(a) Notify a parent of each child in care; and(b) Refer the parent for assistance in locating alternate child care arrangements.Section 9. Appeal of Denials, Suspension, and Revocation. (1) If the cabinet denies certification, suspends certification, or revokes certification, the family child-care home provider may request an appeal by completing an OIG-DRCC-05 within twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of the notice of adverse action.(2) Upon request of the appeal, the provider shall be afforded a hearing in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B.(3) If a final order from an administrative hearing does not uphold a suspension, the provider may resume providing child care.Section 10. Standards for the Provider.(1)(a) Between July 1 and June 30 of each subsequent year of operation, a provider shall complete at least nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training, including one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training completed once every five (5) years in accordance with KRS 199.8982(2).(b) A provider or assistant's compliance with the training in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection or subsection (8) of this section shall be verified through the cabinet-designed database maintained pursuant to 922 KAR 2:240.(2) A provider shall not provide care for more unrelated children than the number authorized on the certificate of operation.(3) A provider shall have an assistant present if the provider cares for more than: (a) Four (4) infants, including the provider's own or related infants; or(b) Six (6) children under the age of six (6) years old, including the provider's own or related children.(4) The maximum number of unrelated children in the care of a certified family child-care home provider shall not exceed six (6) at any one (1) time. A provider may care for four (4) related children in addition to six (6) unrelated children for a maximum child care capacity of ten (10) at any one (1) time.(5) If a provider operates the in-home child care business for twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, the provider shall: (a) Receive an eight (8) hour period of respite after working sixteen (16) consecutive hours during a twenty-four (24) hour period; and(b) Employ an assistant during the period of respite.(6) Prior to being left alone with a child, an assistant shall be certified by a cabinet-approved agency in infant, child, and adult:(a) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and(7) An assistant shall be: (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older;(b) Under supervision of a provider;(c) Used for providing care in a certified family child-care home; and(d) Used in the absence of the certified provider.(8) An assistant shall demonstrate completion of the training required by Section 2(9) of this administrative regulation within the timeframes established therein.(9) If a provider, an assistant, or a member in a provider's household is named as the alleged perpetrator in a child abuse or neglect report accepted by the cabinet in accordance with 922 KAR 1:330, the individual shall be removed from direct contact with a child in care: (a) For the duration of the investigation; and(b) Pending completion of an administrative appeal process for a cabinet substantiation of child abuse or neglect in accordance with 922 KAR 1:320 or 922 KAR 1:480.(10) During hours of operation, a provider and another person in the home shall:(a) Be free of the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance except for use of a controlled substance as prescribed by a physician; and(b) Prohibit smoking or vaping in the presence of children in care.(11) During a provider's absence, an assistant shall be physically present with a child in care during hours of operation.(12) A provider shall: (a) Not be employed outside of the home during regular hours of operation; and(b) Maintain daily attendance records documenting the arrival and departure time of each child, including records that are required in accordance with 922 KAR 2:160, Section 14, if a child receives services from the provider through the Child Care Assistance Program.(13) A provider and an assistant shall not: Repeat online training courses, including pre-service orientation, unless:(a) Five (5) years have passed since the online training was completed; or(b) They are required to as part of a disciplinary directive by a state agency.Section 11. Contract Substitute Staff Member Requirements.(1) A contract substitute staff member shall:(a) Comply with the training requirements established in Section 10 of this administration regulation;(b) Be employed by an outside agency and provide the required documentation to verify the contractual agreement between the certified child-care home and the outside agency;(c) Provide a hard copy file containing all required staff records to be kept on-site at the certified child-care home and maintained at the home for five (5) years;(d) Be entered into the cabinet-designated database as a staff member of the outside organization in accordance with 922 KAR 2:240;(e) Be the responsibility of the certified child-care home while working on-site; and(f) Have supervisory authority over a child only if the requirements of 922 KAR 2:280 and this administrative regulation are met.(2) Except for an employee of a child-care center program authorized by 42 U.S.C. 9831-9852, an owner or employee of a contract agency possessing a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall not train an employee of the same contract agency in order to meet the training requirements established in: (a)KRS 199.8982(1)(a) 6. and (2), 922 KAR 2:180, 922 KAR 2:240, 922 KAR 2:250, 922 KAR 2:270, or this administrative regulation; or(b) A child development associate credential.Section 12. The General Requirements of the Family Child-Care Home Environment.(1) A provider's home and each play area used for child care shall: (a) Be free from risk of harm in accordance with the requirements of this administrative regulation; and(2) Each floor level used for child care shall have at least one (1):(a) Unblocked exit to the outside;(b) Smoke detector, including in the kitchen area and in the children's sleeping areas;(c) Properly maintained fire extinguisher, including in the kitchen area; and(d) Carbon monoxide detector if the home: 1. Uses fuel burning appliances; or2. Has an attached garage.(3) The areas of the home that are accessible to children in care shall be free from items harmful to children including:(a) Cleaning supplies, poisons, paints, and insecticides;(b) Knives, scissors, and sharp objects;(c) Power tools, lawn mowers, hand tools, nails, and other equipment;(d) Matches, cigarettes, lighters, combustibles, flammable liquids, and all fire hazards;(4) Alcohol shall: (a) Not be consumed by any person on the certified family child-care home's premises during hours of operation; and(b) Be kept out of reach and sight of a child in care.(5) In accordance with KRS 527.070(1), firearms and ammunition shall be stored away from the presence of children, in separate locked containers, which, in order to be opened, require a: (6) Electrical outlets not in use shall be covered.(7) An electric fan, floor furnace, freestanding heater or fireplace, or other source of heat shall: (a) Be out of the reach of a child; or(b) Have a safety guard to protect a child from injury.(8) A certified family child-care home shall have:(a) At least one (1) accessible and working telephone on each level used for child care while a child in care is present on that level; and(b) A list of emergency numbers posted on each level used for child care or maintained in the contacts of each telephone, including numbers for the: 3. Emergency medical care and rescue squad; and4. Poison control center.(9) Equipment and toys shall be:(a) Designated by the manufacturer as developmentally appropriate to the age of children in care;(b) In sufficient quantity for the number of children in care; and(c) Safe, sound, clean, and in good repair.(10) Stairs and steps used for children in care shall be:(11) If an infant or toddler is in the care of a provider, indoor stairs with more than two (2) steps shall be blocked.(12) Exclusive of the bathroom and storage area, an indoor area, including furnishings, used for child care shall contain at least thirty-five (35) square feet per child for: (b) Activities that meet the developmental needs of the children in care.(13) An outdoor play area shall be free of unavoidable danger or risk.(14) Each child in an outdoor play area shall be under the direct supervision of the provider or assistant.(15) Outdoor stationary play equipment shall be:(b) Developmentally appropriate; and(16) A trampoline shall not be accessible to a child in the care of a provider.(17) Children in an outside play area shall have constant and active supervision and shall be protected by physical or natural barriers that prohibit access to:(18) Constant and active supervision shall be maintained around any body of water and shall be inaccessible to children by secured physical or natural barriers of adequate height and appropriately secured except in accordance with subsections (19) and (20) of this section.(19) A swimming pool on the premises shall:(a) Be maintained and free of debris and body waste;(b) Have a water filtering system or be emptied daily;(c) Be supervised when in use, with a ratio of one (1) adult to one (1) infant or toddler; and(d) Be inaccessible to a child when not in use.(20) An above-ground pool shall:(a) Have a stationary wall no less than four (4) feet tall;(b) Have hand holds or foot holds that are inaccessible when the pool is not in use; and(c) Be supervised when in use, with a ratio of one (1) adult to one (1) infant or toddler.(21) A fire drill shall be: (a) Conducted during hours of operation at least monthly; and(22) An earthquake drill, tornado drill, shelter-in-place drill, and lockdown drill shall be:(a) Conducted during hours of operation at least quarterly; and(23) In the event of a natural disaster, fire, shelter-in-place, lockdown, or other emergency, a written plan shall be in place to communicate reunification with families and accommodations for: (a) Infants and toddlers;(b) Children with disabilities; and(c) Children with chronic medical conditions.(24) A family child-care home shall:(c) Be free of insects and rodents;(d) Have a water supply that is: 3. From an approved public water supply; and(e) Have bathrooms, including toilets, sinks, and potty chairs that are: 2. In good working condition.(25) Windows, doors, and outer openings shall be screened to prevent the entrance of vermin.(26) Indoor and outdoor garbage shall be stored in a waterproof container with a tight-fitting cover.(27) Playpens and play yards shall: (a) Meet the federal standards as issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including 16 C.F.R. 1221;(b) Be manufactured for commercial use; and(c) Not be used for sleeping or napping.Section 13. Care Requirements for a Provider. (1) A provider shall ensure the health, safety, and comfort of each child.(2)(a) Care for a child with a special need shall be consistent with the nature of the need as documented by the child's health professional.(b) A child may include a person eighteen (18) years of age if the person has a special need for which child care is required.(3) Television or video viewing by a child shall be limited to: (b) The planned program activities; and(c) Developmentally appropriate child-related content, as designated by standardized content guidelines.(4) A child shall:(a) Wash hands with liquid soap and warm running water:1. Before and after eating or handling food;2. After toileting or diaper change;3. After handling animals;4. After touching an item or an area of the body soiled with body fluids or waste; and5. After outdoor and indoor play time; or(b) Use hand sanitizer or hand-sanitizing wipes if liquid soap and warm running water are not available in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection. The child shall wash the child's hands as soon as practicable once liquid soap and warm running water are available.(5) A provider and an assistant shall: (a) Wash hands with liquid soap and warm running water:1. Before and after diapering a child;2. Before and after feeding a child;3. After toileting or assisting a child with toileting;4. After handling animals;5. Before dispensing medication;6. After caring for a sick child;7. After wiping or blowing a child's or own nose; and8. After smoking or vaping; or(b) Use hand sanitizer or hand-sanitizing wipes if liquid soap and warm running water are not available in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection. The provider or assistant shall wash his or her hands as soon as practicable once liquid soap and warm running water are available.(6) A provider shall ensure that a child does not share:(7) An infant shall sleep and nap on the infant's back unless the infant's health professional signs a waiver that states the infant requires an alternate sleeping position.(8) Rest time shall be provided for each child who is not school-age and who is in care for more than four (4) hours.(9) Rest time shall include adequate space specified by the child's age as follows: (a) For an infant: 1. An individual non-tiered crib that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards established in 16 C.F.R. 1219-1220;2. A firm crib mattress in good repair with a clean tight-fitted sheet that is changed: b. Immediately if it is soiled or wet;3. No loose bedding, such as a bumper or a blanket; and4. No toys or other items except for the infant's pacifier; or(b) For a toddler or preschool-age child: 1. An individual bed, a two (2) inch thick waterproof mat, or cot in good repair; and2. Bedding that is in good repair and is changed:b. Immediately if it is soiled or wet.(10) Rest time shall not exceed two (2) hours for a preschool-age child unless the child is attending nontraditional hours or is sick.(11) A child who does not sleep shall be permitted to play quietly and be visually supervised.(12) If overnight care is provided, a provider or an assistant shall:(a) Remain awake until every child in care is asleep; and(b) Sleep on the same floor level of the home as an infant or toddler.(13) A certified family child care home shall provide a daily planned program:(a) That is available to a parent of a child in care or the cabinet upon request;(b) Of activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child served;(c) That provides experience to promote the individual child's physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and well-being; and(d) That offers a variety of creative activities, such as:6. Block building or stacking;7. Tactile or sensory activity;8. Multi-cultural exposure;9. Indoor or outdoor play in which a child makes use of both small and large muscles;10. A balance of active and quiet play, including group and individual activity; and11. An opportunity for a child to: a. Have some free choice of activities;b. If desired, play apart from the group at times; andc. Practice developmentally appropriate self-help procedures in respect to:(14) Except for a school-aged child whose parent has given written permission and whose whereabouts are known, a child shall not be permitted off the premises of a family child-care home without a caregiver.(15) Use of corporal physical discipline shall be prohibited pursuant to KRS 199.896(18).(16) A provider shall ensure precautions are taken to prevent shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.(17) A child shall be released from a family child-care home to:(a) The child's custodial parent;(b) The person designated in writing by the parent to receive the child; or(c) In an emergency, a person designated over the telephone by the parent.(18) Waste and biological contaminants, such as bodily fluids, blood, or excretions, shall be: (a) Disposed of in a manner that prevents exposure to children;(b) Inaccessible to children; and(c) In a covered plastic-lined receptacle with a close-fitting lid.Section 14. Toilet and Diapering Requirements.(1) A toilet room shall:(a) Have an adequate supply of toilet paper; and(b) Be cleaned and disinfected daily.(2) A sink shall be:(a) Located near or in close proximity to toilets;(b) Equipped with hot and cold running water that allows for hand washing;(c) Equipped with hot water at a minimum temperature of ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit;(d) Equipped with liquid soap and single use, disposable hand drying material;(e) Equipped with an easily cleanable, covered waste receptacle; and(f) Near or in close proximity to a changing area used for infants and toddlers.(3) Each toilet shall:(a) Be kept in clean condition;(b) Be kept in good repair;(c) Be in a lighted room; and(4) Toilet training shall be coordinated with the child's parent.(5) An adequate quantity of freshly laundered or disposable diapers and clean clothing shall be available.(6) If a toilet training chair is used, the chair shall be:(a) Emptied promptly; and(b) Disinfected after each use.(7) Diapers or clothing shall be:(a) Changed when soiled or wet;(b) Stored in a covered leak proof container temporarily; and(c) Washed or disposed of at least once a day.(8) The proper methods of diapering and hand-washing shall be available at each diaper changing area.(9) If a child is being diapered, the child shall:(a) Not be left unattended; and(b) Be placed on a surface that is:3. Free of holes, rips, tears, or other damage;6. Free of items not used for diaper changing.(10) Unless another cleaning method is authorized by the child's parent or prescribed by a physician, individual disposable washcloths shall be used to thoroughly clean the affected area of a child.(11) A provider or an assistant shall disinfect the diapering surface after each child is diapered.(12) If a provider or an assistant wear disposable gloves, the gloves shall be changed and disposed of after each child is diapered.Section 15. Food Requirements.(1) A provider and an assistant shall:(a) Use sanitary procedures when preparing and serving food;(b) Refrigerate perishable food and beverages; and(c) Serve: 1. Breast milk or iron-fortified formula to a child:a. Age birth to twelve (12) months; orb. Beyond twelve (12) months of age as documented by the parent or the child's physician;2. Pasteurized whole milk to a child age twelve (12) months to twenty-four (24) months; or3. Pasteurized skim or low fat one (1) percent milk to a child age twenty-four (24) months to school-age.(2) Water shall be: (a) Available to a child in care; and(b) Served in addition to meal requirements if a child requests throughout the day.(3) A certified family child-care home shall offer each child the same food items unless the child's parent or health professional documents a dietary restriction that necessitates an alternative food item for the child.(4) Second servings shall be available to a child.(5) Food shall not be: (b) Withheld until all other food items are consumed.(6) Meals shall:(a) Be served in an amount appropriate to the age of the child;(b) Include appropriate types of food according to the age of the child;(c) Not be served during television or video viewing;(d) Be served every two (2) to three (3) hours; and(e) Be served to a child:1. Seated with sufficient room to manage food and tableware; and2. Supplied with individual eating utensils designed for use by a child.(7) Breakfast shall include: (b) A whole grain or an enriched grain bread; and(c) Fruit, vegetable, or 100 percent juice.(8) A snack shall include two (2) of the following: (c) Fruit, vegetable, or 100 percent juice; or(d) A whole grain or an enriched grain bread.(9) Lunch and dinner shall include:(c)3. One (1) fruit and one (1) vegetable; and(d) A whole grain or an enriched grain bread.(10) A weekly menu shall be: (c) Available to a parent of a child in care or the cabinet upon request; and(d) Kept on file for thirty (30) calendar days.(11) Substitutions to a weekly menu shall be noted on the day the meal is served.(12) Unless provided as part of the fee for child care or the provider is a participant in the food program, an infant's formula shall be prepared, labeled, and provided by the parent.(13) Each child's bottle shall be: (14) The refrigerator shall: (a) Be in working order; and(b) Maintain a product temperature at or below forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit.(15) Except if thawed for preparation or use, frozen food shall be kept at a temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit as verified by a thermometer in the freezer.(16) While bottle-feeding an infant, the: (a) Child shall be held; and(b) Bottle shall not be: 2. Left in the mouth of a sleeping infant; or3. Heated in a microwave.(17) A certified family child-care home shall meet requirements of subsections (1)(c) and (7) through (9) of this section if the provider participates in the Child and Adult Food Care Program and meets meal requirements specified in 7 C.F.R. 226.20.Section 16. Medication and First Aid. (1) Medication, including medicine that requires refrigeration, shall be stored in a locked container or area with a lock unless the medication is:(a) A first aid supply. A first aid supply shall be maintained in accordance with subsection (4) of this section;(b) Diaper cream, sunscreen, or toothpaste. Diaper cream, sunscreen, or toothpaste shall be inaccessible to a child in care;(c) An epinephrine auto-injector. A family child-care home shall comply with KRS 199.8951, including: 1. An epinephrine auto-injector shall be inaccessible to a child in care;2. A certified family child-care home provider shall have training on the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector if the provider maintains an epinephrine auto-injector for a child;3. A certified family child-care home shall seek emergency medical care for a child if an auto-injector is administered to a child; and4. A certified family child-care home shall report to the child's parent and the cabinet in accordance with subsection (6) of this section and Section 20(10) of this administrative regulation if an epinephrine auto-injector is administered to a child; or(d) An emergency or rescue medication for a child in care, such as medication to respond to diabetic or asthmatic condition, as prescribed by the child's physician. Emergency or rescue medication shall be inaccessible to a child in care.(2) Prescription and nonprescription medication shall be administered to a child in care: (a) With a written request of the child's parent or the child's prescribing health professional; or(b) In accordance with KRS 311.646.(3) Prescription and nonprescription medications shall be:(b) Administered according to directions or instructions on the label.(4) A provider shall: (a) Maintain first aid supplies that are easily accessible for use in an emergency, and these supplies shall be inaccessible to the children in care;(b) Wash superficial wounds with soap and water before bandaging;(c) Use disposable gloves for the clean-up of biological contaminants, such as blood, bodily fluids, or excretions;(d) Place contaminated clothing or other absorbent materials in a sealed plastic container or bag labeled with the child's name, and returned to the parent; and(e) Clean and disinfect the soiled surfaces.(5) First aid supplies shall include a fully-equipped first aid kit containing the following non-expired items:(f) Disposable gloves; and(6) A provider shall provide immediate notification of a medical emergency to a child's: (b) Emergency contact, if the parent is unavailable.(7) A quiet, separate area that is easily supervised shall be provided for a child too sick to remain with other children.(8) A provider and an assistant shall: (a) Be able to recognize symptoms of childhood illnesses;(b) Be able to provide basic first aid; and(c) Maintain a child care program that assures affirmative steps are taken to protect children from abuse or neglect pursuant to KRS 600.020(1).Section 17. Animals. (1) An animal shall not be allowed in the presence of a child in care:(a) Unless: 1. The animal is under the supervision and control of an adult;2. Written parental consent has been obtained; and3. The animal is certified as vaccinated against rabies; or(b) Except in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.(2) A parent shall be notified in writing if a child has been bitten or scratched by an animal.(3) An animal that is considered undomesticated, wild, or exotic shall not be allowed at a certified family child-care home unless the animal is:(a) A part of a planned program activity led by an animal specialist affiliated with a zoo or nature conservatory; and(b) In accordance with 301 KAR 2:081 and 301 KAR 2:082.Section 18. Transportation. (1) If transportation is provided or arranged by the certified family child-care home provider, the provider shall: (a) Have written permission from a parent to transport his or her child;(b) Have a car or van equipped with seat belts;(c) Require that a child: 1. Be restrained in an appropriate safety seat meeting state and federal motor vehicle safety standards in accordance with KRS 189.125 and 49 C.F.R. 571.213;2. Remain seated while the vehicle is in motion; and3. If under thirteen (13) years of age, be transported in the back seat;(d) Have emergency and identification information about each child in the vehicle if children are being transported; and(e) Conform to state laws pertaining to vehicles, driver's license, and insurance pursuant to KRS 186.020.(2) A child shall not be left unattended: (a) At the site of aftercare delivery; or(3) A child shall not be left in a vehicle while it is being repaired.(4) The back of a pickup truck shall not be used to transport a child.(5) Firearms, ammunition, alcohol, or illegal substances shall not be transported in a vehicle transporting children.(6) A vehicle shall not transport children and hazardous materials at the same time.(7) A vehicle transporting a child shall have the headlamps on.(8) If the driver is not in the driver's seat, the:(a) Engine shall be turned off;(b) Keys shall be removed; and(c) Emergency brake shall be set.(9) A driver of a vehicle transporting a child for a certified provider shall: (a) Be at least twenty-one (21) years old;(b) Complete: 1. The background checks described in Section 2(2)(c)5 or 2(5) of this administrative regulation; and2. An annual check of the: a. Kentucky driver history records in accordance with KRS 186.018; orb. Driver history records through the state transportation agency that issued the driver's license;(c) Hold a current driver's license that has not been suspended or revoked during the last five (5) years; and(d) Not have caused an accident which resulted in the death of a person.(10) Based on the harm, threat, or danger to a child's health, safety, and welfare, the cabinet shall pursue an adverse action in accordance with Section 5, 6, 7, or 8 of this administrative regulation:(a) For a violation of this section; or(b) If the provider: 1. Fails to report an accident in accordance with Section 20(10)(a) of this administrative regulation; or2. Transports more passengers than the vehicle's seating capacity and safety restraints can accommodate.Section 19. Records. (1) A provider shall maintain: (a) A current immunization certificate for each child in care within thirty (30) days of the child's enrollment, unless an attending physician or the child's parent objects to the immunization of the child pursuant to KRS 214.034;(b) A written record for each child: 1. Completed and signed by the child's parent;2. Retained on file on the first day the child attends the family child-care home; and3. To contain: a. Identifying information about the child, which includes, at a minimum, the child's name, address, and date of birth;b. Contact information to enable the provider to contact the child's: (i) Parent at the parent's home or place of employment;(ii) Family physician; and(iii) Preferred hospital;c. The name of each person who is designated in writing to pick-up the child;d. Food or other allergies in a documented care plan that includes:(i) Instructions regarding the allergy, including any identifying symptoms;(ii) Steps taken to avoid and prevent the allergen; and(iii) A plan of treatment in the event of an allergic reaction, including medication, doses, and the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with Section 16(1)(c) of this administrative regulation.e. The child's general health status and medical history including, if applicable:(i) Restriction on the child's participation in activities with specific instructions from the child's parent or health professional; and(ii) Permission from the parent for third-party professional services in the family child-care home;f. The name and phone number of each person to be contacted in an emergency situation involving or impacting the child;g. Authorization by the parent for the provider to seek emergency medical care for the child in the parent's absence; andh. A permission form and allergy care plan if applicable for each trip away from the family child-care home signed by the child's parent in accordance with Section 18(1) of this administrative regulation; and(c) Daily attendance records documenting the arrival and departure time of each child, including records that are required in accordance with 922 KAR 2:160, Section 14, if a child receives services from the provider through the Child Care Assistance Program.(2) A certified family child-care home provider shall maintain the confidentiality of a child's records.(3) The cabinet shall provide, upon request, public information pursuant to KRS 199.8982(1)(d) and (e).(4) A certified family child-care home provider shall:(a) Report an incident of suspected child abuse or neglect pursuant to KRS 620.030; and(b) Provide the cabinet access and information in the completion of the investigation pursuant to KRS 620.030.(5) A certified family child-care home provider shall maintain a written record of: (a) Quarterly practiced earthquake drills, tornado drills, shelter-in-place drills, and lockdown drills detailing the date, time, and participants in accordance with Section 12(22) of this administrative regulation;(b) Monthly practiced fire drills detailing the date, time, and participants in accordance with Section 12(21) of this administrative regulation; and(c) Reports to the cabinet that are required in accordance with Section 20(11) of this administrative regulation.(6) A certified family child-care home provider shall keep all records for five (5) years.(7)(a) A certified family child-care home provider shall have a written evacuation plan in the event of fire, natural disaster, or other threatening situation that may pose a health or safety hazard to a child in care in accordance with KRS 199.895.(b) The cabinet shall post an online template of an evacuation plan that: 1. Fulfills requirements of KRS 199.895;2. Is optional for an applicant or a family child-care home's use; and3. Is available to an applicant or a family child-care home without charge.Section 20. Certified Family Child-Care Home Program. The certified family child-care home provider shall: (1) Develop written information that specifies the:(b) Expected frequency of payment for the program;(c) Hours of operation; and(2) Make available a copy of the certification standards to each parent;(3) Provide each parent with the name, address, and telephone number of the cabinet for the purpose of registering a complaint if the parent believes the family child-care home provider is not meeting the standards;(4) Post and provide to each parent a copy of children and parent rights, as required by KRS 199.898;(5) Post each child's food allergies or other allergy care plan prominently where food is served with permission of the parent or guardian;(6) Allow a parent, the cabinet, the cabinet's designee, or another agency with regulatory authority access to the family child-care home at any time a child is in care;(7) Communicate with each child's parent about the child's:(8) Make available to a parent upon request: (a) The staff to child ratios described in Section 10 of this administrative regulation;(b) The planned program of activities;(c) Each statement of deficiency issued by the cabinet during the current certification period;(d) Each plan of correction submitted by the certified family child-care home to the cabinet during the current certification period; and(e) Daily schedule including any trips outside the family child-care home;(9) Coordinate at least one (1) annual activity involving parental or family participation;(10) Maintain a written child care agreement with each child's parent, including the name of each person designated by the parent to pick up the child; and(11) Report: (a) The following to the cabinet within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of discovery: 1. A communicable disease pursuant to 902 KAR 2:020, which shall also be reported to the local health department;2. An accident or injury to a child that requires medical care;3. An incident that results in legal action by or against the family child-care home that:a. Affects: (iv) A member of the provider's household; orb. Includes the provider's discontinuation or disqualification from a governmental assistance program due to fraud, abuse, or criminal conviction related to that program;4. An incident involving fire or other emergency, including a vehicular accident when the provider is transporting a child receiving child care services; or5. A report of child abuse or neglect that: a. Has been accepted by the cabinet in accordance with 922 KAR 1:330; andb. Names the alleged perpetrator as the: (ii) Provider's assistant; or(iii) Member of the provider's household;(b) The death of a child to the cabinet within one (1) hour;(c) Temporary or permanent closure as soon as practicable to the cabinet and the parent of a child in the family child-care home; or(d) A child care staff member meeting a disqualifying criterion or background check result in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280.Section 21. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:(a) "OIG-DRCC-03, Initial Certification Application for Family Child-Care Home", 11/2023;(b) "OIG-DRCC-04, Certified Family Child-Care Home Renewal Form", 11/2023; and(c) "OIG-DRCC-05, Certified Family Child-Care Home Request for Appeal", 2018.(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department for Community-Based Services, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40621, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.19 Ky.R. 663; 954; 1090; eff. 11-9-1992; 20 Ky.R. 155; 556; 806; eff. 10-13-1993; 23 Ky.R. 2884; eff. 2-19-1997; 25 Ky.R. 1241; 1657; 1894; eff. 1-19-1999; Recodified from 905 KAR 2:100, 2-1-1999; 27 Ky.R. 1642; 2181; eff. 2-1-2001; 30 Ky.R. 497; 945; 1295; eff. 11-19-2003; TAm eff. 10-29-2004; 34 Ky.R. 1248; 2001; 2160; eff. 3-19-2008; 39 Ky.R. 883; 1711; eff. 3-8-2013; 39 Ky.R. 2247; eff. 9-18-2013; 44 Ky.R. 2118, 2522; eff. 7-18-2018; TAm eff. 4-24-2019; 46 Ky.R. 1985, 2963; eff. 7-29-2020; 50 Ky.R. 1423, 1896; eff. 3/14/2024.STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 194A.050(1), 199.8982(1)(f)