Section 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 - Child/staff ratios and supervisionAuthority: IC 12-13-5-3
Affected: IC 12-17.2-4
Sec. 48.
(a) Child/staff ratios shall be maintained during all hours of operation.(b) When there is a combination of ages within a group of children, caregivers shall determine the ratio required by the age of the youngest child in the group. This includes opening and closing times.(c) When determining the child/staff ratios, count only persons who are responsible for and directly engaged in supervising and implementing activities for children.(d) Persons in the child care center with multiple roles, such as teacher/cook, teacher/director, or teacher/receptionist, shall be counted in child/staff ratios only while directly engaged with children.(e) All children shall be under the direct supervision of a responsible caregiver at all times.(f) Centers shall have a written policy that describes the steps caregivers shall take to correct inadequate ratios. Caregivers shall be aware of this policy.(g) Caregivers shall promptly notify the director when ratios become deficient.(h) The director or person in charge shall correct child/staff ratios immediately.(i) Children of the director and staff members shall be counted in child/staff ratios and assigned to their appropriate age group.(j) The center shall have at least two (2) adults present during all hours of operation.(k) The center shall make arrangements so that if only one (1) adult is supervising a group of children, that adult has means available to communicate with other caregivers and summon assistance without leaving children unattended.(l) The assignment of administrative, maintenance, and housekeeping duties shall not interfere with the direct supervision of children.(m) The center shall make every effort to have substitutes visit the child care center to become generally familiar with the children and program in advance of the time they may be called to substitute.Division of Family Resources; 470 IAC 3-4.7-48; filed Aug 11, 2003, 3:00 p.m.: 27 IR 131; readopted filed Oct 24, 2007, 11:25 a.m.: 20071121-IR-470070448RFA; readopted filed Aug 23, 2013, 3:36 p.m.: 20130918-IR-470130306RFAReadopted filed 11/13/2019, 11:56 a.m.: 20191211-IR-470190490RFA