(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; paint which contains lead or other poisonous
materials; 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, including those with straps, shall be used in accordance with the
manufacturer's guidelines.
(6) Trampolines,
inflatable bounce houses and ball pits 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.
(a) Weapons and firearms include air rifles,
hunting slingshots and any other projectile weapon.
(b) A law enforcement official who can
document that his or her jurisdiction requires ready and immediate access to
the weapon shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.
(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 must 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.
(2)(3) Illegal drugs or substances shall not be on
the premises. Alcohol shall be kept inaccessible to children and out of sight
of children.
(3)(4) Carbon monoxide detectors shall 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.
(4)(5) In accordance with division (A)(8) of 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 Revised Code, no person shall
knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey or attempt to convey
a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance on these premises."
(5)(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.
(6)(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.
(7)(8) If area rugs are used, they shall have a
nonskid backing and floor surfaces shall be maintained to not cause a tripping
hazard.
(8)(9) Toys or other materials small enough to be
swallowed shall be kept out of the reach of infants and toddlers.
(9)(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.
(10)(11) Mercury thermometers shall not be used.
(11)(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.
(12)(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.
(13)(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.
(14)(15) Lawnmowers, sharp tools, machinery and
other equipment shall not be used or stored where children have access to them.
(15)(16) All areas used by children shall be
ventilated and shall provide protection from rodents, insects and other
hazards.
(16)(17) Aerosol spray products shall not be used
in room where children are in attendance.
(17)(18) All utilities shall be operable.
(18)(19) The home shall contain a kitchen sink,
refrigerator and stove or microwave oven in working condition.
(19)(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.
(20)(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.
(21)(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: 10/29/2017
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 12/31/2021
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 10/12/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5104.017, 5104.018
Rule Amplifies: 5104.017, 5104.018, 5104.041, 2923.1212
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/82, 5/20/83, 9/1/86, 9/5/86, 2/15/88,
5/1/89, 10/15/96, 10/1/97 (Emer.), 12/30/97, 4/1/03, 7/1/03, 9/1/05, 1/1/07,
9/1/07, 8/14/08, 12/1/09, 7/1/10, 7/1/11, 9/29/11, 1/1/14, 11/22/15, 12/31/16