Honey Tree Preschool & Childcare of Wilton

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).

Feeding: Infants shall be removed from their cribs and held for all bottle feedings. They may be placed in chairs for all other feedings. Infants and toddlers shall be removed from their cribs or playpens at other intervals during the day for individual cuddlings and for verbal communication. They shall be allowed to crawl and toddle as age and development permit. Each infant shall be placed in a prone (front) position part of the time when awake. When food and liquids are served a written statement specifying the formula, breast milk or other liquids and the feeding schedule for infants shall be obtained from the parent(s), updated as necessary and followed by program staff. Unused portions of formula, breast milk or other liquids shall be discarded after each feeding. Clean bottles shall be provided by the parent(s) unless the facility uses disposable bottles or has a dishwasher or dishwashing system approved by the local director of health to wash bottles. Baby food shall be served from a dish unless the whole contents of the jar will be served. Each child’s bottle shall be individually identified with the child’s name.

Rule 19a-79-10(j)-(k)(1-5).

Licensed premises-clean, good repair, hazard free-maintenance program: For programs serving children younger than school age, the building, equipment and furnishings shall be maintained in a good state of repair. A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and safety hazards.

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

Equipment-clean and safe, good repair, non-toxic-sturdy, free from protruding nails, rust: All equipment shall be of such design and material as to be readily cleaned and safe for children. Equipment shall not be colored or covered by any poisonous material. Equipment shall be sturdy, safely constructed and free from protruding nails, rust, toxic material and other hazards.

Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(1).

Outdoor space: There shall be access to a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor space for the number of children using the space at any one time. The outdoor area shall be fenced or protected for safety. Outdoor play equipment shall have a shock absorbing surface, under and around, that shall effectively cushion the fall of a child, except where the child is sitting or standing at ground level. The shock absorbing surface shall be maintained at a depth of at least eight inches, be free of water and not allowed to become compacted. Acceptable shock absorbing surfaces may include mulch, sand, and wood chips. Synthetic material that is less than eight inches in depth, including but not limited to, rubber mats or tiles may be acceptable surfaces provided the operator maintains documentation on the licensed premises that the synthetic material is manufactured for this purpose, installed in accordance with the manufacturer�s specifications and sufficient to cushion the fall of a child. Concrete, asphalt, grass and dirt shall not be considered a shock absorbing surface. The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards. Nuts, bolts and screws shall be tight; and those that protrude shall be covered or protected. Outside equipment shall be anchored for stability when recommended by the manufacturer. Anchors shall be buried below ground level. The operator shall provide documentation to the Office, upon request, by a certified playground safety inspector that newly constructed playgrounds and all newly installed playground equipment that are set in position and anchored in such a way to last indefinitely are designed and installed in accordance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards. Drinking water shall be available and accessible to children. Outdoor equipment shall be arranged in such a way as to avoid accidents. All play equipment, fences, and structures shall not pose a hazard.

Rule 19a-79-7a(h)(1-9).

Non-Prescription Topical Medications: The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication shall be kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication. The parent(s) shall be immediately notified of any medication error, and notified of such error in writing not more than seventy two hours after the medication error occurred, and such medication error shall be documented in the child�s record. The medication shall be stored in the original container and shall contain the following information on the container or packaging indicating the individual child�s name; the name of the medication; and directions for the medication�s administration. The medication shall be stored away from food and inaccessible to children. Any unused portion of the medication shall be returned to the parent(s). Any expired medication shall be destroyed in a safe manner or returned to the parent.

Rule 19a-79-9a(a)(2-3).

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).

Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include daily attendance records for both children and staff showing the specific times of arrival and departure. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)(1).

Background Checks: 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 evidence that the necessary information and documentation specified by the Office of Early Childhood in order to conduct background checks has been submitted. 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.

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

Injury/Illness/Accident Reports: The facility shall produce and maintain on the premises, for a period of not less than two years, a written record of all injuries or accidents that result in an injury to a child or illness of a child enrolled at the facility that occur on or off site as part of the child care program. The written report for an individual child shall be available to the Office of Early Childhood and a copy shall be provided to the child’s parent(s) no later than the next business day.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(3).

Walls/Ceilings/Floors/Rugs: Clean/Good Repair: Walls, ceilings, floors and rugs shall be maintained in a state of good repair and be washable or easily cleanable.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(5).

Working Telephone on Each Level: Each level of the child care center or group child care home shall be provided with a telephone in working order located within the licensed program space accessible to staff for emergency purposes.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(7).