470 Ind. Admin. Code 3-4.7-141

Current through December 4, 2024

Section 470 IAC 3-4.7-141 - Infant/toddler sleeping

Authority: IC 12-13-5-3

Affected: IC 12-17.2-4

Sec. 141.

(a) The needs of individual children shall determine the sleeping periods.

(b) Caregivers shall place infants on their backs or sides in their cribs for sleeping.

(c) Only children under thirty (30) inches tall may use a port-a-crib.

(d) Only children under thirty-five (35) inches tall may use a full-sized crib.

(e) The fifty (50) square feet of required space per child includes space for a crib for each infant.

(f) All cribs shall meet the following guidelines:

(1) Cribs shall be of sturdy construction.

(2) There shall be no corner posts higher than one-sixteenth (¹/₁₆) inch.

(3) There shall be no cut-outs in the headboard.

(4) Spaces between the bars of the crib and between the bars and the end panels of the crib shall not exceed two and three-eighths (2d) inches.

(5) Each crib shall have a firm mattress at least two (2) inches thick that is securely covered with a waterproof material not dangerous to children.

(6) The gap between the mattress and the interior perimeter of the crib shall not exceed one (1) inch.

(7) Drop-side latches shall be safe and securely hold the sides in the raised position.

(8) Latches shall not be reachable by a child in the crib.

(g) Full-sized cribs shall meet the following guidelines:

(1) The interior dimension shall be greater than fifty-one and three-fourths (513/4) inches in length, and twenty-seven and three-eighths (27d) inches in width.

(2) With the mattress support in its lowest position and the crib side in its highest position, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper surface of the crib side and end panel shall not be less than twenty-six (26) inches.

(h) Port-a-cribs shall meet the following guidelines:

(1) The interior dimension is smaller than fifty and three-eighths (50d) inches in length but not less than thirty-six (36) inches in length, and smaller than twenty-six (26) inches in width but not less than twenty-four (24) inches in width.

(2) With the mattress support in its lowest position, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper surface of the crib side and end panel shall not be less than twenty-two (22) inches.

(i) Caregivers shall provide at least three (3) feet of space between cribs when occupied.

(j) Tiered or stacked cribs are prohibited.

(k) Cribs shall be located away from heaters, drafts, and cords from window coverings.

(l) When a child is in a crib, caregivers shall extend the sides to their fullest height.

(m) Staff shall sanitize all cribs as often as necessary and at least daily.

(n) Staff shall sanitize cribs or cots and change bedding between each child's use if they allow two (2) part-time children to share the same crib or cot.

(o) All bedding shall be changed immediately when wet or soiled, and otherwise once each day.

(p) Staff shall launder bedding in a washing machine with water temperature above one hundred sixty (160) degrees Fahrenheit or in a sanitizing solution of one (1) cup bleach or equivalent chemical per washer load.

(q) Soiled bedding shall not accumulate for longer than twenty-four (24) hours before laundering.

(r) Staff shall have a reserve supply of bedding and wash cloths available at all times in case of delays in laundry pickup or delivery.

(s) Each toddler shall have individual bedding with their separate cot or crib.

(t) Caregivers shall assure that at least three (3) feet of space is between toddler cots.

470 IAC 3-4.7-141

Division of Family Resources; 470 IAC 3-4.7-141; filed Aug 11, 2003, 3:00 p.m.: 27 IR 158; readopted filed Oct 24, 2007, 11:25 a.m.: 20071121-IR-470070448RFA; readopted filed Aug 23, 2013, 3:36 p.m.: 20130918-IR-470130306RFA

Readopted filed 11/13/2019, 11:56 a.m.: 20191211-IR-470190490RFA