Wash. Admin. Code § 110-300-0005
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply to this chapter:
"Accessible to children" means items, areas or materials of an early learning program that a child can reasonably reach, enter, use, or get to on their own.
"Accommodations" means program curriculum and instruction, activities, spaces, and materials that have been adapted to help children and adults with special need function within their surroundings.
"Active supervision" or "actively supervise" means a heightened standard of care beyond supervision. This standard requires early learning providers to see and hear the children they are responsible for during higher risk activities. Providers must be able to prevent or instantly respond to unsafe or harmful events.
"ADA" refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101, et seq.
"Aide" is a person who offers support to early learning program staff.
"Allergy" or "allergies" refers to an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people. During an allergic reaction, the body's immune system treats the substance or "allergen" as an invader. The body overreacts by releasing chemicals that may cause symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to life threatening. Common allergens include certain foods (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, common tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans) pollen, mold, or medication.
"Annual" or "annually" means an event that occurs each calendar year, not to exceed 365 days between occurrences.
"Applicant" means an individual who has made a formal request for a child care license, certification, exemption, or portable background check.
"Appropriate" when used to refer to child care or educational materials means that the materials will interest and challenge children in terms of their ages and abilities.
"Appropriately" means correct or properly suited for a particular situation.
"Asexual" means the lack of a sexual attraction or desire for other individuals.
"Assistant director" is a person responsible for the overall management of the center early learning program including the facility and operations.
"Assistant teacher" is a person whose work is to assist a lead teacher or licensee in providing instructional supports to children and implementing a developmentally appropriate program. The assistant must carry out assigned tasks under the supervision of a lead teacher, program supervisor, director, assistant director, or licensee.
"ASTM" refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials.
"Bathroom" means a room containing a built-in, flush-type toilet.
"Bias" means a tendency to believe that some people or ideas are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly.
"Bisexual" means individuals who have an emotional or physical attraction to individuals of the same and different genders.
"Body of water" or "bodies of water" is a natural area or human-made area or device that contains or holds a depth of more than two inches of water. Examples include swimming pools, ditches, canals, fish ponds, water retention areas, excavations, and quarries.
"CACFP" means the Child and Adult Care Food Program established by Congress and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
"Cannabis" (also known as "marijuana") refers to all parts of the cannabis plant, whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the resin or concentrate extracted from any part of the plant and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin.
"Capacity" means the maximum number of children early learning providers are authorized by the department to have in care at any given time. This includes any children on-site at the early learning program and any children in transit to or from the program or other activities such as field trips while the children are signed in to the care of the program.
"Center early learning program" is a facility providing regularly scheduled care for a group of children birth through 12 years of age for periods of less than 24 hours a day, pursuant to RCW 43.216.010 (1)(a) (child day care center).
"Center early learning program licensee" or "center licensee" means an entity licensed and authorized by the department to operate a center early learning program.
"Certificate of exemption (COE)" has the same meaning in this chapter as in WAC 246-105-020.
"Certificate of immunization status" has the same meaning in this chapter as in WAC 246-105-020.
"Certificate of occupancy" means a document issued by a local government agency or building department that certifies a building complies with applicable building codes and other laws and indicates that the building is in a condition suitable for occupancy.
"Certification" means department approval of a person, home, or facility that is exempt from licensing but requests evidence that the program meets these foundational licensing standards.
"Child" means an individual who is younger than age 13, including any infant, toddler, preschool-age child, or school-age child as defined in this chapter.
"Child abuse" or "neglect" means the physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person as defined in RCW 26.44.020.
"Child care" refers to supervision of children outside the child's home for periods of less than 24 hours a day.
"Child care basics (CCB)" means curriculum designed to meet the initial basic training requirement for early learning program staff working in licensed or certified programs in Washington state. It serves as a broad introduction for professionals who are pursuing a career in the early care and education field.
"Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)" is a wood preservative and insecticide that contains roughly 22 percent arsenic, a known carcinogen. The United States restricted the use of CCA on residential lumber in 2003, but it can still be found on older decks and playground equipment. Information about the health hazards of arsenic can be found on the department of health's website.
"Clean" or "cleaning" means to remove dirt and debris from a surface by scrubbing and washing with a detergent solution and rinsing with water. This process must be accomplished before sanitizing or disinfecting a surface.
"Confidential" means the protection of personal information, such as the child's records, from individuals who are not authorized to see or hear the information.
"Consistent care" means providing steady opportunities for children to build emotionally secure relationships by primarily interacting with a limited number of early learning program staff.
"Contagious disease" means an illness caused by an infectious agent of public health concern which can be transmitted from one person, animal, or object to another person by direct or indirect means including transmission through an intermediate host or vector, food, water, or air. Contagious diseases pertinent to this chapter are described in WAC 246-110-010.
"Continuous" means without interruptions, gaps, or stopping.
"Core competencies" are standards required by the department that detail what early learning providers need to know and are able to do to provide quality care and education for children and their families.
"CPSC" means the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"Cultural" or "culturally" means in a way that relates to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of different societies.
"Curriculum philosophy" means a written statement of principles developed by an early learning provider to form the basis of the learning program of activities, including age appropriate developmental learning objectives for children.
"DCYF" or "the department" refers to the Washington state department of children, youth, and families.
"Developmental screening" is the use of standardized tools to identify a child at risk of a developmental delay or disorder. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthy Child Care America, 2009).
"Developmentally appropriate" means:
"Director" means the person responsible for the overall management of a center early learning program including the facility and operation.
"Disability" or "disabilities" has the same meaning in this chapter as in RCW 49.60.040(7), the Washington law against discrimination.
"Discipline" means a method used to redirect a child in order to achieve a desired behavior.
"Disinfect" means to eliminate virtually all germs from an inanimate surface by the process of cleaning and rinsing, followed by:
"Disinfectant" means a chemical or physical process that kills bacteria and viruses.
"Drinking water" or "potable water" is water suitable for drinking by the public as determined by the Washington state department of health or a local health jurisdiction.
"Dual language learners" refers to children who are learning two or more languages at the same time. This term includes children who learn two or more languages from birth, and children who are still mastering their home language when they are introduced to and start learning a second language. (Source: The Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines.)
"Early achievers" is a statewide system of high-quality early learning that connects families to early learning programs with the help of an easy to understand rating system and offers coaching, professional development, and resources for early learning providers to support each child's learning and development.
"Early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP)" is a comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to eligible children and their families.
"Early childhood education (ECE) initial certificate" (12 quarter credits) is Washington's initial certificate in early childhood education and serves as the point of entry for a career in early learning and covers foundational content for early learning professionals.
"Early childhood education (ECE) short certificate," an initial certificate plus eight quarter credits, is Washington state's short certificate in early childhood education and offers areas of specialization, building on the state's initial certificate.
"Early childhood education (ECE) state certificate," a short certificate plus 27 quarter credits, is Washington state's certificate in early childhood education and is the benchmark for Level 2 core competencies for early care and education professionals and prepares for the next step, an associate's degree in early childhood education.
"Early learning program" refers to regularly scheduled care for a group of children birth through 12 years of age for periods of less than 24 hours, licensed by the department.
"Early learning program space" means the licensed indoor and outdoor space on the premises approved by the department for the purpose of providing licensed child care.
"Early learning program staff" refers to all persons who work, substitute, or volunteer in an early learning program during hours when children are or may be present, excluding licensees.
"Early learning provider" or "provider" refers to an early learning licensee or designee who works in an early learning program during hours when children are or may be present. Designees include center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, assistants, aides, and volunteers.
"Electronic record" means a record generated, communicated, received or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another.
"Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic form attached to or logically associated with an electronic record including, but not limited to, a digital signature. An electronic signature is a paperless way to sign a document using an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a record, and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
"Electronic workforce registry" refers to DCYF's current database of professional records of individual early learning providers.
"Emergency preparedness" means a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination in case of emergencies or during incident response.
"Enforcement action" means denial, suspension, revocation, modification, or nonrenewal of a license pursuant to RCW 43.216.325(3). An early learning provider may contest enforcement actions and seek an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to chapter 110-03 WAC.
"EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Equivalency" when referring to staff qualifications means an individual is allowed to meet the requirements of this chapter through a department recognized alternative credential, or demonstration of competency, that indicates similar knowledge as the named credential.
"Exempt" or "exemption" means, as applied to immunizations, a type of immunization status where a child has not been fully immunized against one or more vaccine preventable diseases required by chapter 246-105 WAC for full immunization due to medical, religious, philosophical or personal reasons. Under chapter 362, Laws of 2019, if a child plans on attending or is attending a center early learning program, a philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
"Expel" or "expulsion" means to end a child's enrollment in an early learning program. An early learning provider will end a child's enrollment if the provider is unable to meet a child's needs due to the child's challenging behavior.
"Family home early learning program" means an early learning program licensed by the department where a family home licensee provides child care or education services for 12 or fewer children in the family living quarters where the licensee resides as provided in RCW 43.216.010 (1)(c) (family day care provider).
"Family home early learning program licensee" or "family home licensee" means an individual licensee authorized by the department to operate a family home early learning program within the licensee's family living quarters.
"Family living quarters" means a family home licensee or applicant's residence and other spaces or building on the premises.
"Food worker card" means a food and beverage service worker's permit as required under chapter 69.06 RCW.
"Foundational quality standards" refers to the administrative and regulatory requirements contained within this chapter. These standards are designed to promote the development, health, and safety of children enrolled in center and family home early learning programs. The department uses these standards to equitably serve children, families, and early learning providers throughout Washington state.
"Gay" means physically attracted to someone of the same gender. Gay is sometimes an umbrella term for the LGBTQIA+ community.
"Gender" or "gender identity" means an individual's inner sense of being a female, male, a blend of both or neither, or another gender. This may or may not correspond with an individual's sex assigned at birth.
"Gender expression" means individuals' outward communication of their gender through behavior or appearance. This may or may not conform to their sex assigned at birth or socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
"Gender fluid" means individuals whose gender identities are flexible, not permanent.
"Good repair" means about 80 percent of materials and components are unbroken, have all their pieces, and can be used by children as intended by the manufacturer or builder.
"Health care provider" means a person who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized by the law of Washington state to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.
"Household member" means one or more individuals who live in the same dwelling or share living arrangements, and may consist of family relatives or other groups of people.
"Immunization" is the process of administering a vaccine to make a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease.
"Inaccessible to children" means a method to prevent a child from reaching, entering, using, or getting to items, areas, or materials of an early learning program.
"Inactive" when used by the department to indicate a licensing status, means early learning providers who have requested and have been approved to temporarily cease caring for children and close their early learning program.
"Individual care plan" means a specific plan to meet the individual needs of a child with a food allergy, special dietary requirement due to a health condition, other special needs, or circumstances.
"Infant" is a child birth through 11 months of age.
"In-service training" means professional development requirements for continuing education delivered or approved by the department to maintain staff standards and qualifications while employed as an early learning provider.
"Inspection report" means a written or digital record developed by the department that identifies violations of licensing standards. An inspection report is separate from and does not include a facility licensing compliance agreement (FLCA).
"Internal review process" has the same meaning in this chapter as in RCW 43.216.395, as now or hereafter amended.
"Intersex" is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations when the body is born with a combination of chromosomes, internal organs, or external genitalia that do not develop as expected.
"Lead teacher" means an early learning provider who works as the lead staff person in charge of a child or group of children and implements activity programs.
"Lesbian" means females or women who have an emotional or physical attraction for other females or women.
"LGBTQIA+" means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual. The "+" represents identities not specifically named in the LGBTQIA acronym (e.g., pansexual, gender nonbinary, and Two-spirit).
"License" means a permit issued by the department legally authorizing an applicant to operate an early learning program.
"Licensed space" means the indoor and outdoor space on the premises approved by the department for the purpose of providing licensed child care.
"Licensee" means an individual or legal entity listed on a license issued by the department, authorized to provide child care or early learning services in a center or family home setting.
"Lockdown" means restricted to an interior room with few or no windows while the facility or building is secured from a threat.
"Locking mechanism" means a lock that requires a key, tumbler, dial, passcode, touchpad, or similar device or method to lock and unlock.
"Modification" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to change the conditions identified on a licensee's current license.
"Nonbinary" is a term of self-identification for individuals who do not identify within the limited and binary terms that have described gender identity, e.g., female and male. Nonbinary is also an umbrella term for many identities such as gender expansive, gender fluid, and genderqueer.
"Nonexpiring license" means a license that is issued to an early learning provider following the initial licensing period, pursuant to chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Operating hours" means the hours listed in an early learning program parent handbook when the program is open and providing care and services to children.
"Parent" or "guardian" means birth parent, custodial parent, foster parent, legal guardian or those authorized by the parent or entity legally responsible for the welfare of the child.
"Peer interaction" refers to relationships children have with one another, which includes how infants and toddlers play near one another and how preschoolers play together, communicate, and whether they fight or get along.
"Personal needs" means an early learning provider's toileting or medication needs. Personal needs do not include smoking or use of tobacco products, illegal drug use or misuse or prescription drugs, conducting business or related activities, sleeping or napping, screen time, or leaving children in care unattended.
"Pest" means an animal, plant, or insect that has a harmful effect on humans, food, or living conditions.
"Pesticide" refers to chemicals used to kill pests.
"Pet" means a domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure.
"Physical barrier" means a nonclimbable fence or wall that is at least five feet tall and has no openings greater than two inches or a gate or door that allows entry to and exit from a body of water and has the following requirements in addition to those already listed: A locking mechanism, a self-closing or self-latching device, and a device used to open the locks which is inaccessible to children but readily available to staff.
"Physical restraint" means holding a child as gently as possible for the minimum amount of time necessary to control a situation where that child's safety or the safety of others is threatened.
"Poison" includes, but is not limited to, substances, chemicals, chemical compounds (other than naturally occurring compounds such as water or salt), or similar items that even in small quantities, are likely to cause injury or illness if it is swallowed or comes into contact with a child's skin, eyes, mouth, or mucus membranes.
"Premises" means the licensed and unlicensed space at the licensed address including, but not limited to, buildings, land, and residences.
"Preschool-age children" means children 30 months through six years of age not attending kindergarten or elementary school.
"Preservice training" means professional development standards or requirements for early learning program staff prior to hiring or within a department specified time frame and delivered or approved by the department.
"Private septic system" means a septic system as defined in chapter 246-272A WAC that is not connected to a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system as defined in chapter 246-272B WAC. A private septic system includes, but is not limited to, the septic system's drain field and tanks.
"Probationary license" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.216.010(23).
"Professional development support plan" is a formal means by which an individual who is supervising staff sets out the goals, strategies, and outcomes of learning and training.
"Program supervisor" means the center early learning provider responsible for planning and supervising the learning and activity program.
"Queer" is a term used to express LGBTQIA+ identities and orientations. The term is sometimes used as an umbrella term for all LGBTQIA+ individuals.
"Questioning" means individuals who are exploring their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression at any age.
"RCW" means the Revised Code of Washington.
"Readily available" means able to be used or obtained quickly and easily.
"Revocation" or "revoke" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to close an early learning program and permanently remove the license.
"Routine care" means typical or usual care provided to a child during the time the child is enrolled in the early learning program, for example, feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, resting, playing, and learning.
"Safe route" means a way or course taken to get from a starting point to a destination that is protected from danger or risk.
"Safety plan" means a written plan to implement program changes to bring an early learning program into compliance with this chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW. Safety plans are developed at meetings involving at least an early learning provider and a department licensor and supervisor. Safety plans detail changes the provider needs to make to mitigate the risk of direct and indirect harm to children enrolled in the early learning program. Program changes must be agreed to in writing and signed by all participants at the meeting. Safety plans expire 30 calendar days after being signed by all parties. Safety plans may only be extended for an additional 30 calendar days and extensions may only be authorized by a department supervisor.
"Sanitize" means to reduce the number of microorganisms on a surface by the process of:
"School-age children" means a child who is five years of age through 12 years of age and is attending a public or private school or is receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW.
"Screen time" means watching, using, or playing television, computer, video games, video or DVD players, mobile communication devices, or similar devices.
"Serious injury" means an injury resulting in an overnight hospital stay; a severe neck or head injury; choking or serious unexpected breathing problems; severe bleeding; shock or an acute confused state; sudden unconsciousness; dangerous chemicals in eyes, on skin, or ingested; near drowning; one or more broken bones; a severe burn requiring professional medical care; poisoning; or an overdose of a chemical substance.
"Sexual orientation" means an individual's emotional or physical attraction to other individuals.
"Shelter in place" means staff and children staying at the facility due to an external threat such as a storm, chemical or gas leak or explosion, or other event that prohibits the occupants from safely leaving the facility.
"Sign" means an individual formally placing their name or legal mark on a document by physical signature or electronic signature.
"Sleep equipment" or "sleeping equipment" includes a bed, cot, mattress, mat, crib, bassinet, play pen, play yard or "pack and play" but does not include a car seat or infant swing.
"SOGIE" is an acronym for sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression which are distinct identifiers everyone has. LGBTQIA+ is a subdistinction within SOGIE self-identifiers. SOGIE includes LGBTQIA+ as well as heterosexual, cisgender, and nonquestioning individuals.
"Special needs" is a term used for children who require assistance due to learning difficulties, physical disability, or emotional and behavioral difficulties and who have documentation in the form of an individual educational plan (IEP), individual health plan (IHP), 504 plan, or an individualized family service plan (IFSP).
"Staff" means any early learning provider providing care in the early learning program.
"Strengthening families program self-assessment" refers to a research informed approach to increase family strengths, enhanced child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs, and communities in building five protective factors:
"Supervise" or "supervision" means an early learning provider must be able to see or hear the children they are responsible for at all times. Early learning providers must use their knowledge of each child's development and behavior to anticipate what may occur to prevent unsafe or unhealthy events or conduct, or to intervene in such circumstances as soon as possible. Early learning providers must also reposition themselves or the children to be aware of where children are and what they are doing during care. An early learning provider must reassess and adjust their supervision each time child care activities change. See "active supervision" for a heightened standard of care.
"Suspend" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to temporarily stop a license in order to protect the health, safety, or welfare of enrolled children or the public.
"Swimming pool" means a pool that has a water depth greater than two feet (24 inches).
"Technical assistance" means a service provided to early learning providers by department staff or a contracted third party. The goal of technical assistance is to offer guidance, information, and resources to help a provider fully comply with the licensing requirements of this chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Toddler" means a child 12 months through 29 months of age.
"Transgender" is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender-affirming medical care is not a prerequisite to identify as transgender. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation.
"Transition" is the process or period of time to change from one activity, place, grade level, or sleeping arrangement to another.
"Tummy time" means placing an infant in a nonrestrictive prone position, lying on their stomach when not in sleeping equipment.
"Two-spirit" means a modern, pan-indigenous umbrella term used by some indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender or other gender-variant, ceremonial, and social role in their cultures. Being Two-spirit does not imply any specific sexual orientation.
"Unlicensed space" means the indoor and outdoor areas of the premises not approved by the department as licensed space that the early learning provider must make inaccessible to the children during child care hours.
"Unsupervised access" as used throughout this chapter has the same meaning as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"Usable space" means the areas that are available at all times for use by children in an early learning program and meets licensing requirements.
"USDA" means the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Vapor product" means any:
"Variance" is an official approval by the department to allow an early learning program to achieve the outcome of a rule or rules in this chapter in an alternative way than described due to the needs of a unique or specific program approach or methodology. The department may grant a request for variance if the proposed alternative provides clear and convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all enrolled children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have the right to appeal the department's disapproval of request for variance under chapter 110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a variance disapproval on a department form.
"Volunteer" includes any person who provides labor or services to an early learning provider but is not compensated with employment pay or benefits. A volunteer must never have unsupervised access to a child unless the volunteer is the parent or guardian of that child or is an authorized person pursuant to WAC 110-300-0345 (1)(c). "Unsupervised access" has the same meaning here as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"WAC" means the Washington Administrative Code.
"Wading pool" means a pool that has a water depth of less than two feet (24 inches).
"Waiver" is an official approval by the department allowing an early learning provider not to meet or satisfy a rule in this chapter due to specific needs of the program or an enrolled child. The department may grant a request for waiver if the proposed waiver provides clear and convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all enrolled children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have the right to appeal the department's disapproval of a waiver request under chapter 110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a waiver disapproval on a department form.
"Walking independently" means an individual is able to stand and move easily without the aid or assistance of holding on to an object, wall, equipment, or another individual.
"Washington state early learning and development guidelines" refers to guidelines published by the department, the Washington state office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI), and thrive Washington for children birth through third grade that outlines what children know and are able to do at different stages of their development.
"Water activities" means early learning program activities in which enrolled children swim or play in a body of water that poses a risk of drowning for children. Water activities do not include using sensory tables.
"Weapon" means an instrument or device of any kind that is used or designed to be used to inflect harm including, but not limited to, rifles, handguns, shotguns, antique firearms, knives, swords, bows and arrows, BB guns, pellet guns, air rifles, electronic or other stun devices, or fighting implements.
"WLAD" means the law against discrimination, chapter 49.60 RCW.
"Written food plan" is a document designed to give alternative food to a child in care because of a child's medical needs or special diet, or to accommodate a religious, cultural, or family preference. A parent or guardian and the early learning provider must sign a written food plan.
Wash. Admin. Code § 110-300-0005