S.C. Code Regs. § § 114-529

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 114-529 - Infant and Toddler Care, Care for Mildly Ill Children, and Night Care

A. Infant and toddler care

(1) Feeding, eating and drinking.

(a) Cups and bottles shall be labeled with the child's name and used only by that child.

(b) Infants shall be fed in accordance with the time schedule, specific food and beverage items and quantities as specified by the parent.

(c) Infants shall be held while being bottle fed until they are able to hold their own bottles. Bottles shall not be propped or given in cribs or on mats.

(d) Due to nutritional concerns, the microwaving of breast milk is prohibited. The microwaving of formula and other beverages is strongly discouraged due to the possibility of a burn injury to the child. However, if the facility plans to use this method of heating formula and other beverages, they must notify all parents in writing as part of the enrollment or orientation process.

(e) All warmed bottles shall be shaken well and the temperature tested before feeding to a child.

(f) Baby formula, juice, and food served in a bottle shall be prepared, ready to feed, identified, and packaged for single use for the appropriate user. Any excess formula, juice or food shall be discarded after each feeding. Formula, juice and food requiring refrigeration shall be maintained at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

(g) Infants and toddlers shall not sleep with bottles in their mouths.

(h) Toddlers shall be offered water routinely throughout the day.

(i) Breast milk and formula shall be dated and labeled with the child's name and refrigerated until ready to use. Prepared formula and breast milk that is not frozen should not be saved for another day.

(j) Food for infants shall be cut in pieces one-quarter inch or less.

(k) Food for toddlers shall be cut in pieces one-half inch or less.

(2) Feeding chairs.

(a) Feeding chairs shall have a stable base.

(b) Feeding chairs shall have a safety strap that prevents the child from slipping or climbing out of the chair. The safety strap shall be used at all times the child is in the chair.

(c) Feeding chair trays shall be in good repair and made of an easily cleanable surface and shall not have chips or cracks.

(d) Feeding chairs shall be used only for eating or a specific, short time-limited tabletop play activity.

(e) Seat heights of feeding chairs shall be appropriate to the age and development of the child. Feeding chairs shall be in good repair and children shall be constantly supervised.

(3) Sleeping.

(a) Infants shall be placed on their backs to sleep unless the parent provides a note from a physician specifying otherwise.

(b) Crib mobiles shall not be permitted for infants or toddlers who can sit.

(c) Cribs shall not be placed next to each other so that one child may reach into the other child's crib.

(d) Two years from the effective date of these regulations, stacked cribs will no longer be permitted.

(4) Equipment and materials.

(a) The infant and toddler room shall have chairs for staff persons to sit while holding and feeding children; and

(b) Indoor space shall be protected from general walkways where crawling children may be on the floor.

(c) Mobile walkers are not permitted.

B. Care for mildly ill children

(1) Parent notification and instructions.

(a) If a child becomes ill while in care, the center shall notify the parent or responsible party immediately;

(b) If a child may have been exposed to a serious communicable disease that is spread through casual contact, the center shall notify the parents of all potentially exposed children about the nature of the illness and the potential exposure to the illness, and recommend consultation with the child's physician; and

(c) If a center chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the center shall receive instructions from the parent for any special care needs of the child.

(2) Policies and procedures.

(a) If a center chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the center shall have written policies and procedures specifying inclusion and exclusion from the group, communication with parents, recording of illness and care provided, specific types of illnesses and symptoms which prohibit care from being provided, special staff training required and emergency health procedures.

(b) Children shall be excluded when they exhibit the conditions listed in the DHEC Exclusion Policy.

(c) If a child is in a rest area due to illness, the child shall be directly supervised at all times.

(d) A hand-washing sink shall be in close proximity to the area designated for mildly ill children.

C. Night care

(1) Requirements for staffing ratios.

(a) Staff counted in the staffing ratios shall be awake, alert and attentive to the children at all times; and

(b) The supervision and ratio requirements for sleeping hours are the same as specified for napping in 114-524C.

(2) An unannounced emergency drill shall be held during sleeping hours at least every 60 days.

(3) Sleeping equipment.

(a) Each child shall have a bed with a solid foundation, a fire retardant mattress, a pillow, and bedding appropriate for the temperature of the center.

(b) Cots and portable beds are not permitted.

(4) Special bedtime routines as specified by the parent shall be followed to the extent feasible.

(5) Bathing.

(a) If children bathe at the center, there shall be one bathtub or shower with a slip resistant surface for every ten children.

(b) Each child shall have his or her own clean towel and washcloth.

(6) The center shall make arrangements with the parent to provide clean appropriate nightclothes.

S.C. Code Regs. § 114-529

Added by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005.