Mont. Admin. r. 37.96.303

Current through Register Vol. 23, December 6, 2024

Rule 37.96.303 - POLICY REQUIREMENTS

(1) All licensed child care providers and registered group or family child care providers must adopt and follow written policies for first aid consistent with recommendations from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs. These must include:

(a) procedures for handling medical emergencies;

(b) a plan for preventing and responding to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

(c) a plan for providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a timely manner;

(d) directions to complete an incident or injury report:

(i) if the incident requires only onsite first aid, a copy of the report must be provided to the parents/guardians of the children involved, and a copy retained on file at the child care facility.

(ii) if the incident requires emergency services, hospitalization, or medical treatment, a copy of the report must be provided to the parents/guardians of the children involved, and a copy retained on file at the child care facility. The provider must inform also CCL within 24 hours of the incident;

(e) directions for calling parents/guardians or someone else designated as responsible for the child when a child is sick or injured; and

(f) a medication administration policy which must include:

(i) types of medication which may be administered;

(ii) medication administration procedures for each child, including the route of medication administration, the amount of medication given, and the times when medication is to be administered; and

(iii) a parent/guardian authorization.

(2) All licensed child care facilities and registered group or family child care facilities must have a written emergency disaster plan for each structure in which child care is provided. Emergency disaster plans must include:

(a) plans for evacuation, including identification of at least one off-site gathering point;

(b) plans to address children's individual needs, including mobility and special health care needs;

(c) staff responsibilities;

(d) plans for communicating with parents/guardians and reunifying children with their parents/guardians;

(e) plans to shelter in place and for lock down; and

(f) plans for continuity of operations.

(3) All licensed child care providers and registered group or family child care providers serving children under two years old must develop a written policy that describes the practices used to promote a safe sleep environment. All child care staff must sign an acknowledgment indicating that they read and understand the facility's safe sleeping policy.

(4) All licensed child care programs and registered group or family child care programs must have a written policy on identifying and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. The policy must include:

(a) how the child care provider will ensure all staff are knowledgeable about and able to recognize the signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma;

(b) procedures for coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught infant or child; and

(c) mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.

(5) All licensed child care programs and registered group or family child care programs must have a written expulsion and suspension policy.

(6) If providing any transportation, the licensed child care provider or registered group or family child care provider must develop a written transportation policy that outlines safe transport practices.

(7) If providing any opportunity for children to use swimming pools or be near other bodies of water, the licensed child care provider or registered group or family child care provider must develop a written water safety policy that outlines safe supervision practices for children in and around water.

(8) FFN providers have limited policy documentation requirements. FFNs must provide written health and safety standards to parents/guardians and the department relating to:

(a) managing infectious disease;

(b) safe sleep practices, if caring for children under two years old;

(c) medication administration;

(d) food and allergy emergencies;

(e) shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma;

(f) emergency preparedness;

(g) transportation safety, if applicable;

(h) expulsion and suspension; and

(i) mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.

(9) If a child care provider obtains a waiver from the department of any rule in this chapter, the program must develop a written alternative plan that includes policies and procedures to maintain compliance.

(10) All policies must be reviewed and updated annually by the program.

Mont. Admin. r. 37.96.303

NEW, 2024 MAR p. 738, Eff. 4/13/2024

AUTH: 52-2-704, 52-2-735, MCA; IMP: 52-2-704, 52-2-713, 52-2-721, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-734, 52-2-735, MCA