S.C. Code Regs. § § 114-515

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

Section 114-515 - Health, Sanitation and Safety

A. Child health

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

(2) During hours of operation there shall be no smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the areas used by children or in the food preparation or storage areas. Smoking shall be permitted only in designated areas, a safe distance from the group child care home. Consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of other non-prescription narcotic or illegal substances is prohibited on the group child care home premises. People who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs shall not be in the group child care home when children are present.

B. Sanitation

(1) Staff shall ensure that children's faces and hands are clean.

(2) Furniture, toys, and equipment that come into contact with children's mouths shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized daily and more often if necessary.

(3) Furniture, toys and equipment soiled by secretion or excretion shall be sanitized before reuse.

(4) Linens and blankets as well as cribs, cots, and mats shall be cleaned at least weekly.

(5) If playpens are used, they shall have waterproof, washable, comfortable pads.

(6) If children brush their teeth at the group 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.

C. Emergency medical plan

(1) The group child care home shall have an emergency medical plan to address the following:

(a) Medical conditions under which emergency care and treatment is warranted;

(b) Steps to be followed in a medical emergency;

(c) The hospital or source of health care to be used;

(d) The method of transportation to be used; and

(e) An emergency staffing plan.

(2) Emergency information for the child shall be taken with the child to the hospital or emergency location.

(3) A staff person shall remain with the child at the hospital or emergency location until the parent arrives.

D. Medications or medical procedures

(1) Written, signed and dated parental consent is required prior to the administration of any prescription or over the counter medication or administration of special medical procedures.

(a) All medications shall be used only for the child for whom the medication is labeled.

(b) Medications shall not be given in excess of the recommended dose.

(c) Prescribed special medical procedures ordered for a specific child shall be written, signed and dated by a physician or other legally authorized healthcare provider.

(2) Storage of medications.

(a) All medications shall be kept in their original labeled containers and have child protective caps. The child's first and last name shall be on all medications.

(b) All medications shall be stored in a separate locked container under proper conditions of sanitation, temperature, light, and moisture.

(c) Discontinued and expired medications shall not be used and shall be returned to the parent or disposed of in a safe manner.

(3) Medication log.

(a) For each medication that is administered by a staff person, a log shall be kept including the child's name, the name of the medication, dosage, date, time and name of person administering the medication. This information shall be logged immediately following the administration of the medication.

(4) Medication errors.

(a) Medication errors (e.g. failure to administer a medication at the prescribed time, administering an incorrect dosage of medication or administering the wrong medication) shall be recorded in the child's record.

(b) Written documentation that the medication was given shall be provided to the parent.

(c) The parent shall be immediately notified of a medication error or a suspected adverse reaction to a medication.

E. First aid kit

(1) A first aid kit shall be available for the treatment of minor cuts and abrasions and shall be stored in a location inaccessible to children.

F. Diapering

(1) Diaper changing procedures shall be consistent with those recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

(2) Diapering surfaces shall be clean, seamless, waterproof and sanitary.

(3) Blood contaminated materials and diapers shall be discarded in a plastic bag with a secure tie. Surfaces contaminated with blood or blood-containing body fluids shall be cleaned with an approved solution of chlorine bleach and water.

(4) Individual disposable wipes shall be used at each diaper change and shall be placed in a plastic-lined, covered container and disposed of properly, and kept out the reach of children.

(5) Soiled disposable diapers and disposable wipes shall be kept in a closed, labeled hands-free operated, plastic lined receptacle within reach of diaper changing area separate from other trash. Soiled non-disposable diapers shall be kept in a sealed plastic bag after feces shall be disposed of through the sewage.

(6) Staff shall check diapers and clothing at a frequency that ensures prompt changing of diapers and clothing.

(7) No child shall be left unattended while being diapered.

G. Staff health

(1) The operator shall maintain the following records in the group child care home for herself/himself, staff, emergency person(s) and household members:

(a) Medical statements required by the Department and completed by the staff person verifying that his/her health is satisfactory. Medical statements shall be updated as necessary; and

(b) A health assessment from a health care provider assessing the ability of the operator, staff, and emergency staff person to work with children. The health assessment shall be completed within three months prior to employment or within the first month of employment and shall include health history, physical exam, vision and hearing screening, tuberculosis screening, and a review of immunization status. A new health assessment shall be obtained by the operator and teacher/caregivers at least every four years after the initial assessment or as necessary.

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

(3) Any staff member, including the operator, emergency person(s) and volunteer(s) who, upon examination or as a result of tests, shows a condition that could be detrimental to the children or staff, or which would prevent satisfactory performance of duties, shall not continue work at the group child care home until the healthcare provider indicates that the condition no longer presents a threat to children or staff.

(4) Staff persons shall wash their hands with soap and warm running water upon arrival at the group child care home, before preparing or serving food, before assisting a child with eating, after assisting a child with toileting or diapering, before and after toileting, after administering medication, after cleaning, after assisting with wiping noses, after contact with body fluids, after contact with animals, and after using cleaning materials. Hands shall be washed even if gloves are worn to perform these tasks.

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

H. Fire safety and emergency preparedness

(1) Group child care homes shall comply with the regulations and codes of the State Fire Marshal.

(2) The group child care home shall have an up to date written plan for evacuating in case of fire, a natural disaster or threatening situation that may pose a health or safety hazard. The group child care home shall also include procedures for staff training in this emergency plan.

(3) Portable heat sources will be used according to the manufacturers' instructions and kept in good working order and out of the reach of children.

I. Transportation

(1) If the operator provides or arranges for transportation, the following transportation requirements apply:

(a) The staffing ratios specified in 114-514A(2)apply. The driver of the vehicle shall not be counted in the ratios;

(b) Transportation and placement of children shall be in accordance with state and federal laws;

(c) A child shall not be left unattended in a vehicle;

(d) The driver shall have a valid regular or commercial driver's license and shall be in compliance with Section 20-7-2725A(4) of the Code of Laws of 1976;

(e) Use of tobacco products is prohibited in the vehicle; and

(f) Written consent from the parent is required prior to transportation.

(2) The following requirements apply for safe pick-up and drop-off:

(a) The group child care home shall have safe crossways and designated pick-up and drop-off locations and communicate these locations to the parents; and

(b) Children shall be supervised during boarding and exiting vehicles.

S.C. Code Regs. § 114-515

Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 5, eff May 26, 1995. Amended by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005.