W. Va. Code R. § 78-18-11

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 78-18-11 - Care of Infants and Toddlers

11.1. A facility providing care for children 24 months or age or younger shall have sufficient space for the following:

11.1.a. Separate indoor and outdoor play areas for infants and toddlers away from those used by older children and

11.1.b. A quiet sleeping area with sufficient space to allow at least two feet between infant cribs, portable packs and play yards, beds, or cots

11.2. Staff shall place an infant who is unable to turn over independently on his or her back to sleep unless medical documentation prohibits sleep in that position.

11.3. Staff shall use only a firm crib mattress covered by a sheet for sleep and keep soft objects and loose bedding out of an infant's sleeping environment.

11.4. Staff shall clothe infants lightly for sleep and keep the sleeping area at a temperature that is comfortable for lightly clothed adults.

11.5. The facility shall provide indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment suitable for staff to use with infants and toddlers. Materials and equipment shall be physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially stimulating for the children. Equipment shall be:

11.5.a. Durable, safe, in good repair, and free of potentially hazardous characteristics such as sharp edges, small objects, and toxic paint; and

11.5.b. Maintained in a sound, sanitary condition.

11.6. The use of jumpers and infant walkers is prohibited

11.7. Effective December 28, 2012, the use of traditional drop side cribs, and any crib manufactured prior to June 28, 2011, is prohibited. Stackable cribs shall not be used. A family child care facility shall:

11.7.a. Only use cribs that comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission crib standards, and were manufactured after June 28, 2011, and any portable pack and play yards manufactured after February 19, 2014;

11.7.b. Supply separate cribs or portable packs and play yards for infants. Portable packs and play yards shall not be used for infants able to climb; and

11.7.c. Have bars no farther than 2 3/8 inches apart.

11.8. Diapering practices shall comply with the provisions of the Bureau for Public Health's Child Care Centers Rule, 64 CSR 21.

11.9. Toilet Training.

11.9.a. The operator shall discuss and agree upon toilet training methods with the parent of each child being toilet trained.

11.9.b. Toilet training shall not be initiated until the child is developmentally ready to control toileting functions.

11.9.c. Potty or training chairs shall be provided and shall be disinfected after each use.

11.9.d. No child shall be forced to sit in a training chair for extended periods of time.

11.10. Infant Nutrition and Feeding. Facilities shall:

11.10.a. Hold infants six months of age and younger while bottle feeding. Bottle propping is prohibited;

11.10.b. Hold infants and toddlers with special needs over six months of age while bottle feeding until they are able to hold their own bottles securely;

11.10.c. Refrigerate infant food and formula and feed infants in a sanitary manner;

11.10.d. Discard any unused breast milk within two hours of feeding;

11.10.e. Offer drinking water to infants and toddlers several times daily;

11.10.f. Feed children according to plans of the child's physician or other health care provider, clinic, or parent;

11.10.g. Clearly mark formula bottles and breast milk with the child's name; and

11.10.h. Encourage older infants and toddlers to feed themselves with supportive help from staff as needed.

11.11. High chairs shall be provided with safety straps and shall have a wide base to reduce the possibility of tipping.

11.12. The facility and staff shall provide activities for infants and toddlers to stimulate their physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. Activities shall include:

11.12.a. Opportunities to interact with caregivers, siblings, and other children;

11.12.b. Frequent verbal communication and eye-to-eye contact between staff and children;

11.12.c. Opportunities for the child to be held, rocked, played with, and dressed in an unhurried manner;

11.12.d. Opportunities for children to explore and learn on their own in a protected area with the freedom to creep, crawl, toddle, and walk as they are physically able;

11.12.e. Frequent moves of infants who are unable to climb and are awake and alert to different locations. Infants shall not routinely be left in a crib or portable packs and play yard except for rest or sleep. They may be left for short periods of time, however, if they are alert and responsive and provision is made for stimulating activity in the form of mobiles or other safe crib toys;

11.12.f. Use of infant seats, swings, and high chairs when used for periods of less than one hour and only if direct supervision is provided and the infant is content;

11.12.g. Opportunities to play with safe, nontoxic, and age-appropriate toys which are stored in low, open shelves for easy access;

11.12.h. Practice in self-care habits such as washing, dressing, brushing or combing hair, or toileting as the child shows evidence of the ability to do so;

11.12.i. Play with a wide variety of toys;

11.12.j. Opportunities for children to express themselves through conversation and imaginative play; and

11.12.k. Opportunities for the child to participate in art and craft activities and to run, climb, and engage in other physical activities.

11.13. Staff shall give immediate attention to the emotional and physical needs of a child. Crying shall be attended to immediately.

11.14. Continuity of care shall be provided. The facility shall assign each infant or toddler to a primary caregiver who shall feed, diaper, and play with the child on a daily basis to provide the reassurance and bonding necessary for the child's healthy development.

W. Va. Code R. § 78-18-11