5101:2-13-21 Appendix A - Choking Hazards

(A)Staff shall be responsible for the well being and safety of each child to which they are assigned and for meeting each child's basic needs.

(1)Diapers and clothing shall be checked for wetness and feces. Type A homes must secure a statement in writing from the child's parents or guardians, stating the frequency in which they want their child's diaper checked. Diapers shall be changed immediately when found to be wet or soiled..

(2)Clothing shall be changed immediately when wet or soiled with urine, vomit or fecal matter. Wet clothing from other sources such as water play, drinks or painting shall be changed at the end of the activity.

(3)Staff shall assist with the needs of children such as tying shoelaces, toileting, hand washing and basic hygiene. Staff shall acknowledge and respond appropriately to children who are crying or who show distress.

(4)The administrator and each employee of a type A home are required under section 2151.421 of the Revised Code to immediately report their suspicions of child abuse or neglect to their local children's protective services agency.

(5)The administrator and each employee of a type A home shall protect or remove children from a situation that is determined to be unsafe.

(6)All children shall be served food that is not a choking hazard and is developmentally appropriate in size, amount and texture. Information on foods that are choking hazards for young children may be found at: http://www.aap.org., http://www.nal.usda.gov/childcare/Resources/choking.html or http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/HTMLVersion/Chapter_4.html. A list of foods that are examples of choking hazards for young children is provided in appendix A of this rule. Food provided to children in care must conform to the safety measures listed in the appendix to this rule.

(7)Eating utensils and dishes shall be suitable for the age and developmental level of the children. Children must be permitted the opportunity and encouraged to learn to feed themselves as their developmental levels allow.

(8)No person shall climb over barriers such as, but not limited to, gates, shelving units or furniture, while holding a child.

(9)Children shall not be exposed to inappropriate language, conversations, or behavior by center employees or any form of media.

(B)Staff shall implement practices supportive of individual developmental needs when caring for children with special needs.

(1)Type A homes who care for children with special needs or who require treatment for health conditions shall coordinate with the child's service providers with parental/guardian consent. The type A home shall document its efforts if the home is unable to obtain parental/guardian consent. The type A home shall make appropriate adjustments as needed for these children.

(2)Information obtained from service providers, service coordinators and other professional involved in the child's care must be documented in the child's written record. This information must be shared with any child care staff member responsible for caring for the child.

(3)A child with developmental delays may receive care in a group of children which best meets the child's individual needs in consultation with the parent/guardian.