La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLXI-1901

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section CLXI-1901 - General Safety Requirements

A. Telephones and Emergency Numbers

1. A dedicated working phone, with a number dedicated to the center, that is capable of incoming and outgoing calls shall be readily available at the center at all times.

2. When a center has multiple buildings and does not have a dedicated a phone in each building where children are present, the center shall establish and follow written procedures for securing emergency help. The written procedures shall be posted in each building.

3. Centers located in schools and churches shall have a phone within the licensed area.

4. Appropriate emergency numbers, including but not limited to numbers for the fire and police departments, nearby hospitals and medical centers, Louisiana Poison Control and Child Protective Services, and the physical address of the center, shall be prominently posted on or near each phone.

B. Lighting. Areas used by children shall be lighted in such a way as to allow visual supervision of the children at all times.

C. End-of-Day Check. The entire center and play yard shall be checked after the last child departs to ensure that no child is left at the center and this check shall be documented. Documentation shall include date, time of visual check, and signature of the staff conducting the visual check.

D. Sex Offender Registry. An early learning center shall register with the Louisiana State Police sex offender registry at www.lsp.org to receive updates when a sex offender moves within two miles of the center.

E. Centers shall not permit any individual convicted of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541 to have physical access to the center.

F. The owner or director of an early learning center shall immediately notify law enforcement personnel and the department verbally if there is a known registered sex offender on the premises of the center. The verbal report shall be followed by a written report to the department within 24 hours.

G. All equipment used by children shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition and in good repair.

H. Moveable equipment shall be secured and supported so that it shall not fall or tip over.

I. Microwave ovens, bottle warming devices and crock pots are prohibited in areas accessible to children.

J. Items that can be harmful to children, such as medications, poisons, cleaning supplies and chemicals, and equipment, tools, knives and other potentially dangerous utensils, shall kept in a locked cabinet or other secure place that ensures they are inaccessible to children.

K. Plastic bags, when not in use, regardless of purpose or use, shall be made inaccessible to children.

L. Construction, remodeling, and alterations of structures shall be done in such a manner so as to prevent hazards or unsafe conditions, such as fumes, dust and safety hazards.

M. Strings and cords, including but not limited to those found on equipment, window coverings, televisions and radios, shall be inaccessible to children under age four.

N. First aid supplies shall be kept at the center and shall be easily accessible to employees but not accessible to children.

O. The center shall prohibit the use of alcohol and tobacco in any form, and the use or possession of illegal substances, unauthorized potentially toxic substances, fireworks and firearms, and pellet and BB guns on the center premises and notice to this effect shall be posted.

P. The personal belongings of center staff members shall be inaccessible to children.

Q. The center shall post a copy of the current "The Safety Box" newsletter issued by the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General and shall immediately remove from the early learning premises any items listed as recalled.

R. Lawn cutting services shall not occur while children are on the playground or outside the early learning center.

S. Biocontaminants. Staff shall properly dispose of all biocontaminants to safeguard against the spread of infectious disease.

1. Discard disposable rubber gloves that come into contact with a biocontaminant after each use.

2. Discard tissues, paper towels, disposable wipes, and similar products that come into contact with a biocontaminant after each use.

3. Place soiled disposable diapers in a closed container that is lined with a leak-proof or impervious lining, remove the soiled disposable diapers from the facility, and place them in a closed garbage receptacle outside the building on a daily basis.

4. Place soiled non-disposable diapers in a sealed plastic container that has been labeled with the child's name and return the diapers to the child's parent at the end of the day.

5. Place soiled clothes in a sealed plastic container that has been labeled with the child's name and return the clothes to the child's parent at the end of each day or launder the clothes at the facility.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLXI-1901

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 41636 (April 2015). effective 7/1/2015, Amended LR 42555 (4/1/2016), Amended LR 441867 (10/1/2018), Amended LR 471278 (9/1/2021), Amended LR 491207 (7/1/2023), Amended LR 50969 (7/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6 and 17:407.40(A)(1).