Academy of Art & Learning Child Care Center

Authorized prescriber/parent permission: Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child’s parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least three years after the child is no longer attending the program.

Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(3)(A-B).

Staff Health Records: A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include an acceptable medical statement, completed within 12 months before the date of employment for new program staff, and every 36 months for current program staff. Such statement shall document the presence of any known medical or emotional illness or disorder that would currently pose a risk to children.

Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(1).

Professional development: Documentation of professional development for each program staff who cares for the children, including new employee orientation and annual training for current program staff on the child care center or group child care home policies, plans and procedures. Program staff, including the director, shall complete health and safety training no later than three months after the date of hire. Written verification of ongoing training that is at least one percent of the total annual hours worked. As of April 1, 2025, such annual training shall include content as defined in 45 CFR � 98.41(a)(1)(i) to (a)(1)(xi). Such education may include, but is not limited to, early education and child development, licensing and regulations, emergency preparedness, prevention and control of infectious diseases, prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleep practices, administration of medication, prevention and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions, building and physical premises safety, protection from hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio contaminants; child maltreatment, prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma, precautions in transporting children, pediatric first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nutrition and programming for children with disabilities or special health care needs.

Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(2), (h)(1-2).

Comprehensive background checks: The operator shall ensure that all program staff have completed a comprehensive background check before they have unsupervised access to children. The operator shall provide to the Office of Early Childhood any information obtained concerning substantiated child abuse or neglect records or criminal convictions upon request. The operator shall obtain from each prospective employee, who is eighteen years of age or older, for a position that requires the provision of care to a child or involves unsupervised access to a child, a listing of all employment held in the United States for an organization that provides care or services to children in the preceding five years. The operator shall take reasonable steps to contact each previous employer provided by the prospective employee to verify at a minimum the prospective employee�s job title, description of his/her regular duties, confirmation of employment dates, and whether such previous employer would recommend the prospective employee for rehire. This information shall be made accessible to the Office upon request. The operator shall not employ program staff, including volunteers, who have a record that the commissioner reasonably believes renders such program staff unsuitable to be employed in a child care center or group child care home.

Rule 19a-79-4a(b).

Consultants: An education consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice and support regarding the educational content and practice of the program. A person needs to apply for approval to be an education consultant. Program staff shall not serve as education consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role; or in a program with the same operator as a program in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role. Specific duties of the education consultant shall include, but not be limited to making, at a minimum, annual site visits to the facility, reviewing daily plans, curriculum documents, and educational policies for the developmental and age appropriate practices, observing program staff interactions, use of materials and equipment, implementation of plans and approaches to classroom management; and providing feedback on documentation review and classroom observations to the director and head teacher. A health consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding the health of the children and the health program. Specific duties of the health consultant shall include, but not be limited to making, at a minimum, quarterly site visits to facilities that serve children three years of age and older; or for group child care homes, facilities that operate no more than three hours per day, or facilities that enroll only school age children, semi-annual site visits. Facilities that are closed during the summer months may omit the summer quarterly visit. Site visits shall be made by the health consultant during customary business hours when the children are present at the facility. Specific duties include, but are not limited to reviewing health and immunization records of children and program staff, reviewing the contents, storage and plan for maintenance of first aid kits, observing the indoor and outdoor environments for health and safety, observing children�s general health and development, observing diaper changing and toileting areas and diaper changing, toileting and hand washing procedures, reviewing the policies, procedures and required documentation for the administration of medications, including petitions for special medication authorizations needed for programs that administer medication, assisting in the review of individual care plans for children with special health care needs or children with disabilities, as needed; and quarterly review of all injury, illness, incident and accident reports. A social service consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding the emotional needs, program staff support and the social service program. A registered dietitian consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice regarding nutrition and food service for those programs that prepare or plan meals. A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative service shall include, but not be limited to an annual review of written policies, plans and procedures that relate to the services provided by the consultant, availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems, availability, in person, of the consultant to the program, consulting with administration and program staff about specific problems, acting as a resource person to program staff and the parent(s) to include coordinating services and assisting families and program staff in identifying necessary resources, and seeking and supporting the collaboration of multiple consultants serving the program. The activities and observations required by each consultant shall be documented in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.

Rule 19a-79-4a(i)(1-2)(H), (F).

Water supply- water testing: Water supply, food service and sewage disposal facilities shall be adequate, safe and in compliance with all applicable sections of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Water from at least one drinking fountain or drinking, beverage and food preparation sink, and from two such sources if the facility has more than one, shall be tested every two years for lead content. The water sample shall have been standing in plumbing pipes at least six hours and the results shall be submitted to the local director of health and kept on file at the facility. New child care facilities shall submit lead test results from each drinking, beverage and food preparation sink to the Office with the facility�s initial application. Whenever water is obtained from other than a public water system that is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, it shall be of a safe and sanitary quality and tested every two years for bacterial and chemical quality and the results submitted to the local director of health. The water analysis shall include tests for bacteria, physical parameters (color, odor, turbidity, pH), and sanitary chemicals (nitrogen series, chloride, hardness, iron, manganese and sodium). Additional tests may be required as deemed necessary by the Office. Drinking water shall be available and accessible to children at all times including at all meals and snacks.

Rule 19a-79-7a(c)(5)(A-C).

Local Health Inspection: At least every two (2) years, the local health director shall make unannounced visits, inspections or investigations of the licensed child care center or group child care home.

Rule 19a-79-2a(c)(7).

Hand Washing Before Eating/Food Handling: Separate hand washing facilities shall be located convenient to the room where food is prepared in child care centers and group child care homes. Children and staff shall wash their hands with soap and water before eating or handling food.

Rule 19a-79-6a(a)(7) and/or 19a-79-6a(a)(11).

Playground Free From Hazards: Hardware such as air conditioners, water heaters or fuse boxes shall be inaccessible to children. The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards.

Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(4) and/or 19a-79-7a(h).

Equipment Anchored/Safely Arranged: Outside equipment shall be anchored for stability. Anchors shall be buried below ground level. Outdoor equipment shall be arranged in such a way as to avoid accidents.

Rule 19a-79-7a(h)(5) &/or 19a-79-7a(h)(9).

Managing Child Behavior: The operator shall be responsible for managing child behavior using techniques based on developmentally appropriate practice and communicate acceptable techniques to all staff. These techniques shall include positive guidance, redirection and setting clear limits that encourage children to develop self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem.

Rule 19a-79-3a(b)(8)(A).