S.C. Code Regs. § § 114-534

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

Section 114-534 - Health, Sanitation, and Safety

A. Child Health and Safety

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

(2) During the hours of operation:

(a) There shall be no use of non-prescription narcotic or illegal substances;

(b) There shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises;

(c) There shall be no smoking or vaping inside or where children are present;

(d) There shall not be any people who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on the premises.

B. Staff Health

(1) Staff shall be excluded when they exhibit the conditions listed on the DHEC Exclusion Policy.

(2) The operator and/or staff shall wash their hands with soap and running water before preparing foods, before and after administering medication, after toileting, after assisting a child with toileting or diapering, after cleaning, and if returning to the family child care home from outside. Hands shall be washed even if gloves were worn to perform these tasks.

(3) No person who is known to be afflicted with any disease in a communicable form, or who is a known carrier of such disease, or who is afflicted with boils, infected wounds, or sores or acute respiratory infection shall work in any capacity in a family child care home in which there is a likelihood of such person transmitting disease or infection to other individuals.

C. Sanitation

(1) Clean and sanitary conditions shall be maintained indoors and outdoors, including indoor and outdoor recreational equipment.

(2) The operator and/or caregiver shall ensure children's faces and hands are clean.

(3) The family child care home and premises shall be situated, equipped, and maintained as needed in order to safeguard the health of the users.

(4) The family child care home shall follow approved sanitary methods of disposal of wastes.

D. Water Supply

(1) The water supply shall meet bacteriological, chemical, and physical requirements for water quality and testing in accordance with DHEC.

(2) If water is unavailable for four (4) hours, an operator shall contact the Department and may be required to close.

(3) Safe drinking water shall be available to children at all times and there shall be no use of common drinking cups. If disposable cups are used, they shall be stored to prevent contamination prior to use.

E. Temperature

(1) Temperature in the family child care home shall be maintained between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit as appropriate to the season, while children are present. If temperature cannot be maintained for more than four (4) hours in this range, the family child care home shall notify the Department and may be required to close.

(2) Caution shall be used with regards to weather and the length of time children are outside when the wind chill factor is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

F. Emergency Preparedness

(1) Family child care homes shall have a written emergency preparedness plan to evacuate the home in case of fire, natural disaster or threatening situation that may pose a health or safety hazard that is posted for all staff and parents to see. This plan shall be regularly tested.

(2) The operator shall have a written emergency plan. This plan shall include naming the emergency person to be summoned quickly to assist in an emergency.

(3) Emergency telephone numbers and information shall be posted, including the name/contact information of the emergency person.

G. Emergency Medical Plan

(1) The family child care home shall have an emergency medical plan in writing providing for emergency medical care of children requiring treatment away from the child care setting.

(2) First aid:

(a) The operator shall have a chart readily available that describes first aid emergency medical treatment techniques.

(b) First aid supplies shall be available for the treatment of minor cuts and abrasions and stored out of the reach of children.

H. Diapering

(1) Family child care homes caring for infants shall provide a non-porous sanitizable surface. Only a solution of bleach and water shall be used to sanitize the diaper changing surface after each diapering.

(2) Diapers shall be checked for wetness and feces at least hourly and whenever the child exhibits discomfort. Soiled diapers shall be changed immediately.

(3) Soiled diapers shall be placed in a plastic-lined, covered, leak-proof container which shall be emptied and cleaned daily.

(4) Children's hands shall be washed with soap and water after each diapering. In the case of infants, hands may be cleaned with single-use pre-moistened towels.

I. Toilets and sinks

(1) A minimum of one flush toilet and one sink shall be available for children.

(2) Potty chairs and seat adaptors are to be used in the bathroom only. Contents shall be disposed of in a toilet, and chairs/adaptors shall be sanitized with bleach water after each use.

(3) Water, liquid or granular soap, and disposable towels shall be provided.

(4) If children brush their teeth at the family child care home, each child shall have a separate, labeled toothbrush, stored with bristles exposed to circulating air, and not in contact with another toothbrush.

S.C. Code Regs. § 114-534

Added by State Register Volume 48, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2024.