W. Va. Code R. § 78-19-16

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

Section 78-19-16 - Infants and Toddlers

16.1. Equipment. -- A family child care home:

16.1.a. Is prohibited, effective December 28, 2012, from using traditional drop side cribs, or any crib manufactured prior to June 28, 2011. A family child care home shall:

16.1.a.1. Only use cribs and portable pack and play yards that comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, Cribs manufactured after June 28, 2011, and any portable pack and play yards manufactured after February 19, 2014; and

16.1.a.2. Supply separate cribs or portable packs and play yards for infants. Family child care providers shall not use portable packs and play yards for infants able to climb;

16.1.b. Shall not allow infants under 35 inches tall to sleep on any type of adult bed or sofa;

16.1.c. Shall not place soft pillows or stuffed animals in infant beds during sleep or nap times;

16.1.d. Shall not allow the use of mobile walkers;

16.1.e. Shall ensure that high chairs, infant swings, portable packs and play yards, and cribs are safe and in good working condition; and

16.1.f. Shall disinfect toys and play equipment used by infants and toddlers after each use. Resource tables are contained in Appendices 78-19-C of this rule.

16.2. Feeding and Care. -- A family child care home caring for infants and toddlers shall:

16.2.a. Keep milk and formula under refrigeration at all times;

16.2.b. Discard any unused breast milk within two hours of feeding;

16.2.c. Offer water to infants and toddlers several times daily;

16.2.d. Hold infants six months of age and younger while bottle-feeding. Bottle propping is prohibited;

16.2.e. Hold infants and toddlers with special needs over six months of age while bottle-fed until they are able to hold their own bottles securely;

16.2.f. Ensure that infants and toddlers participate in activities outside of cribs or portable packs and play yards;

16.2.g. Hold, cuddle, talk to, sing to, and respond to the particular needs of infants and toddlers; and

16.2.h. 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.

16.3. Diapering and Toilet Training.

16.3.a. A caregiver caring for children in diapers shall:

16.3.a.1. Use a clean non-porous surface or pad for diaper changing and shall clean it after each use;

16.3.a.2. Have sufficient quantities of clean diapers available; and

16.3.a.3. Change diapers when soiled and dispose of them in a closed container that is emptied daily.

16.3.b. A family child care home caring for a child who is toilet training shall:

16.3.b.1. Discuss and agree with the child's parent on a schedule for toilet training; and

16.3.b.2. Empty and disinfect potty chairs after each use.

W. Va. Code R. § 78-19-16