S.D. Admin. R. 67:42:07:03
Child care staff must be employed to maintain daily living conditions for all children in care. Group care centers shall maintain a staff-child ratio of one adult for each eight children or fraction thereof during waking hours whenever children are present. In addition, shelter care facilities shall maintain a staff-child ratio of one adult for each four children or fraction thereof under the age of four during waking hours. During sleeping hours, there must be at least one staff member present in each separate sleeping unit to supervise children, but not less than one staff member for each 25 children or fraction thereof in the building.
Additional child care staff must be on call. A list of the staff members on call must be posted by the facility's telephone in case of an emergency. The facility must have a written plan to ensure that staff, law enforcement, or appropriate emergency responders are available at the center within a reasonable time in the event of an emergency. Arrangements must be made for employing substitute staff to serve children in emergencies, during vacations or illness of regular staff, and during the time when regular staff is off duty. Auxiliary staff members, such as certified special education teachers, mental health professionals, and physical or occupational therapists, must be provided according to the defined purposes of the center.
The department may require a higher staff-child ratio if on-site visits indicate a need for more supervision to maintain control and discipline.
S.D. Admin. R. 67:42:07:03
General Authority: SDCL 26-6-16.
Law Implemented: SDCL 26-6-16.