Wash. Admin. Code § 110-302-0345

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 110-302-0345 - Supervising children

(1) ONB providers must allow only the following persons to have unsupervised access to a child in care:

(a) The child's own parent or guardian;

(b) Licensees or ONB program staff authorized by the department under chapter 110-06 WAC;

(c) A government representative including an emergency responder who has specific and verifiable authority for access, supported by documentation; and

(d) A person authorized in writing or by telephone by the child's parent or guardian such as a family friend or the child's therapist or health care provider.

(2) ONB providers must comply with department approved capacity, group size, and staff-to-child ratios while children are in care. This includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Indoor and outdoor play activities;

(b) Off-site activities;

(c) During transportation;

(d) Meal times;

(e) Rest periods; and

(f) When children are on different floor levels of an indoor space.

(3) ONB providers must supervise children in care by:

(a) Scanning the environment, looking and listening for both verbal and nonverbal cues to anticipate problems and plan accordingly;

(b) Positioning themselves to supervise all areas accessible to children;

(c) Attending to children and being aware of what children are doing at all times;

(d) Being available and able to promptly assist or redirect a child as necessary; and

(e) Considering the following when deciding whether increased supervision is needed:

(i) The ages of children;

(ii) The individual differences and abilities of children;

(iii) The layout of the indoor and outdoor licensed space and play area;

(iv) The risk associated with the activities children are or may be engaged in; and

(v) Whether there are any nearby hazards including those in the licensed or unlicensed space.

(4) ONB providers must ensure that the staff-to-child ratios required by this chapter are followed by program staff and that children are actively supervised.

(5) ONB providers must ensure that program staff are equipped with cell phones or walkie-talkies at all times for the purpose of communicating with other staff.

(6) ONB program staff may undertake other activities for a temporary time period when not required to be providing the active supervision required under subsection (7)(b) of this section, or when following a missing child protocol, pursuant to WAC 110-302-0470(2)(d). Such activities include, but are not limited to, cleaning up after an activity or preparing items for a new activity. The staff member must remain in visual or auditory range, and be available and able to respond to the children's needs.

(7) ONB providers must:

(a) Not use devices such as baby monitors, video monitors, or mirrors in place of supervision;

(b) Actively supervise children when the children:

(i) Interact with pets or animals;

(ii) Engage in water or sand play;

(iii) Play in an area adjacent to a body of water;

(iv) Using a safe route to access an area or activity not immediately adjacent to the ONB program premises;

(v) Search for or handle plant life (foraging);

(vi) Engage in cooking activities;

(vii) Engage in water activities;

(viii) Engage in campfire activities;

(ix) Engage in climbing activities;

(x) Engage in tool use activities;

(xi) Ride on public transportation;

(xii) Are attending field trips; and

(xiii) Are participating in hikes or walks.

Wash. Admin. Code § 110-302-0345

Adopted by WSR 23-10-059, Filed 5/1/2023, effective 6/1/2023