(A)What are the
safe equipment requirements for a licensed family child care provider?
(1)Equipment,
materials, and furniture shall be sturdy, safe and easy to clean and maintain.
They shall also be free of sharp points or corners, splinters, or protruding
nails; loose or rusty parts; peeling or chipping paint; or other hazardous
features.
(2)Furniture,
equipment and materials which are not usable due to breakage or being a hazard,
shall be removed immediately and stored away from children until repaired or
replaced.
(3)Air
conditioners, heat pumps, electric fans and space heaters shall be mounted or
placed out of the children's reach or have safeguards which prevent children
from being injured.
(4)Indoor swings,
(excluding infant swings), slides, climbers and climbing apparatuses shall not
be placed over carpet, concrete, tile, or any similarly hard surface. There
shall be shock absorbent protective covering under and around this equipment.
If climbing equipment is over three feet high, landing mats at least one and
one half inches thick shall be used. The protective covering shall be used and
placed according to manufacturer's guidelines.
(5)All children's
equipment shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
(6)Trampolines,
ball pits, and inflatable play equipment intended for climbing and bouncing,
including but not limited to slides and bounce houses shall not be permitted
for use at the family child care home.
(B)What are the
safe environment requirements for a licensed family child care provider?
(1)Weapons,
firearms and ammunition materials shall be kept inaccessible to children, out
of sight of children and in locked storage areas. Weapons and firearms include
air rifles, hunting slingshots and any other projectile weapon.
(2)Each of the
following groups will be permitted to have the following weapons unsecured in a
family child care home, unless specifically not permitted by the family child
care program owner. Although permitted to be in the home, the weapons shall not
be accessible to children.
(a)Handguns may be
carried by an individual with a valid concealed handgun license and mustare to be kept out of
sight of the children.
(b)Weapons may be
carried by an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces if also carrying
valid military identification and documentation of successful completion of
firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in
division (G)(1) of section 2923.125 of the Revised Code.
(c)Weapons may be
carried by a law enforcement official who can document that his or her
jurisdiction requires ready and immediate access to the weapon.
(3)Illegal drugs
or substances shall not be on the premises. Alcohol shall be kept inaccessible
to children and out of sight of children.
(4)Type B homes
are to have carbon monoxide detectors that meet the following requirements:
(a)In single
family homes, there shall be at least one UL listed carbon monoxide detector
located in the basement and on each level of the home in which child care is
being provided.
(b)In multi-family
buildings, there shall be at least one UL listed carbon monoxide detector
located in the basement and on each level of the unit in which child care is
being provided.
(c)The carbon
monoxide detectors shall be placed, installed, tested and maintained in
accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
(5)In accordance
with section 2923.1212 of the Revised Code, the family child care provider
shall post a sign that contains a statement in substantially the following
form: "Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised
Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control,
convey or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordinanceordnance onto
these premises."
(6)The licensed
family child care provider shall maintain an indoor temperature of at least
sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. If the homes indoor temperature exceeds
eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit, ventilation that produces air movement or air
conditioning shall be provided.
(7)Children in
care shall be protected from any items and conditions which threaten their
health, safety, and well being, including but not limited to: stoves, bodies of
water, window covering pull cords, telephone cords, electrical cords, extension
cords, lead hazards, asbestos, wells, traffic, provider's, staff's or household
member's personal belongings and other environmental hazards and dangerous
situations. If a potential lead hazard is identified, ODJFS will make a
referral to the appropriate agency.
(8)If area rugs
are used, they shall have a nonskid backing and floor surfaces shall be
maintained to not cause a tripping hazard.
(9)Toys or other
materials small enough to be swallowed shall be kept out of the reach of
infants and toddlers.
(10) Cleaning and
sanitizing equipment and supplies shall be stored in a space that is
inaccessible to children. Cleaning agents, aerosol cans and all other chemical
substances shall be stored in a designated area in their original containers
and/or clearly labeled.
(11) Mercury
thermometers shall not be used.
(12) Electrical
outlets, including surge protectors, within the reach of children shall have
child proof receptacle covers when not in use unless designed with safety
guards, except for homes which serve school-age children exclusively.
(13) Renovations and
remodeling to the home shall be conducted in a safe manner to ensure that lead
poison hazards are not introduced into the environment as required by Chapter
3742. of the Revised Code.
(14) Unless toilets
and sinks are of suitable height for use by the children, the home shall
provide a sturdy, nonslip platform on which the children may stand.
(15) Lawnmowers,
sharp tools, machinery and other equipment shall not be used or stored where
children have access to them.
(16) All areas used
by children shall be ventilated and shall provide protection from rodents,
insects and other hazards.
(17) Aerosol spray
products shall not be used in rooms where children are in attendance.
(18) All utilities
shall be operable.
(19) The home shall
contain a kitchen sink, refrigerator and stove or microwave oven in working
condition.
(20) If gates are
used in the home, they shall be firmly anchored when in use. Gates at the top
of stairs shall be wall mounted. Gates shall have no spaces where a child could
become entrapped. Accordion style gates shall not be used.
(21) Handles of pots
and pans placed on top of a stove or oven shall be directed inward so they are
not easily accessible to children.
(22) The home shall
have both hot and cold running water. The temperature of the hot water shall
not exceed one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit unless the provider
demonstrates that the hot water faucet can be made inaccessible or inoperable
when children are in care.
(C)What are the
regulations for having pets in a licensed family child care home?
(1)Pets and
animals shall be permitted if they present no apparent threat to the safety or
health of the children.
(2)All pets shall
be properly housed, cared for, licensed and inoculated. All local and state
ordinances governing the keeping of animals (exotic or domesticated) shall be
followed and updated as required. Verification of license and compliance with
local and state requirements and inoculations, for each pet requiring such
license or inoculations, or regulated by local or state government shall be on
file at the family child care provider's home.
(3)Children shall
not be directly exposed to animal urine or feces inside the home or in the
outdoor play area.
Effective: 10/29/2021
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 7/28/2021 and 10/29/2026
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 10/05/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5104.017, 5104.018
Rule Amplifies: 5104.017, 5104.018, 5104.041, 2923.1212
Prior Effective Dates: 04/01/1982, 05/20/1983, 09/01/1986,
09/05/1986, 02/15/1988, 05/01/1989, 10/15/1996, 10/01/1997 (Emer.), 12/30/1997,
04/01/2003, 07/01/2003, 09/01/2005, 01/01/2007, 09/01/2007, 08/14/2008,
12/01/2009, 07/01/2010, 07/01/2011, 09/29/2011, 01/01/2014, 11/22/2015,
12/31/2016, 10/29/2017, 06/28/2020