Willow Tree Montessori

Diapering: The diapering area shall be an elevated sturdy table or counter equipped with a safety rail. Infants and toddlers shall be diapered at a diapering area used only for this purpose and located in the program area. Each diapering area shall have a non-porous surface and be kept in good repair. Diapering areas shall be washed and disinfected after each use. Disposable paper sheets shall be used and discarded immediately after each diapering. A covered washable lined waste receptacle shall be available and located in a convenient place for soiled waste material. These materials shall be removed to an exterior waste storage area at least daily. Disposable diapers shall be discarded in a covered receptacle immediately after diapering. The hands of the program staff and the children shall be washed after each diaper change. Diapering and hand washing policies and procedures shall be posted in each diapering area and followed. When cloth diapers or training pants are used, a written plan for their use and care shall be developed and implemented. This plan shall include, but not be limited to, these procedures: placing soiled clothing and diapers in a sealed air tight container; removing soiled clothing and diapers from the child care center or group child care home daily; and cleaning and sanitizing the container daily.

Rule 19a-79-10(e)(1-10).

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).

Washable cots: Each child care center and group child care home that serves children under three years of age shall have equipment and furniture to meet the developmental needs of the children served. Furniture shall include washable cots for toddlers.

Rule 19a-79-10(d)(2)(B).

Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff: Daily attendance records for both children and program staff, recorded daily at the time of arrival and departure and kept on file at the facility for at least one year, showing the specific times of arrival and departure.

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

Postings: The operator shall post the following items in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public: the license, the OEC complaint procedure, menus, No Smoking signs, the plan for administrative oversight, the radon test, the OEC Inspection report (posted or available), the safe sleep policy and the OEC Developmental Milestones document.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)6)(C), (e)(1-6), 7a(e)(17), 10(g)(8).

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).

First Aid Kit(s):Indoor/Outdoor/Field Trip: The facility shall maintain at least one portable, readily accessible first aid kit wherever children are in care, including field trips. A first aid kit shall be located outside and readily accessible wherever and whenever children are outside. A first aid kit shall be located indoors and readily accessible wherever and whenever children are indoors. Each first aid kit shall be a closed container for storing first aid supplies, accessible to staff at all times but out of the reach of children. The first aid kit shall contain at least the following items assorted sizes of non medicated adhesive strips; sterile, individually wrapped, three or four inch gauze squares; two inch gauze roller bandage; one roll of adhesive tape (hypoallergenic); scissors; tweezers; two instant cold packs; a non-glass thermometer to measure a child�s temperature; disposable, nonporous gloves; and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation mouth barrier. First aid supplies for field trips shall also include water, if water is not readily accessible at the field trip location; reliable communication device; liquid soap, if liquid soap is not readily accessible at the field trip location; emergency contact numbers for each child; medications, as needed, if the child care center or group child care home administers medications and any items needed to administer medications; and plastic bags, for storage.

Rule 19a-79-6a(c).

Lead Paint- testing, management plans: If the child care center or group child care home is housed in any portion of a building that was constructed prior to 1978, the operator shall submit to the Office and maintain documentation on file at the child care center or group child care home of the following. Prior to use, all space used by staff, program staff, and children shall have undergone a comprehensive lead inspection by a lead consultant licensed by the Department of Public Health. Such lead inspection shall include testing of representative components of each type of painted surface throughout the facility, dust wipes sampling of a window well, window sill and floor in each room, hallway and entry/egress areas, and testing of bare soil areas in the child play areas. Identified toxic level(s) of lead on defective surface(s) as those terms are defined in section 19a-111-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be remediated by an EPA Certified Firm using lead-safe work practice standards. All intact surfaces, including areas that have undergone remediation, for paint and soil shall be documented on a lead management plan that has been approved by the local director of health and shall be monitored in accordance with the approved plan by the operator. A letter issued by the local director of health confirming that appropriate action to remediate identified lead hazards has been completed, that clearance dust wipes have passed and that an approved lead management plan is on file.

Rule 19a-79-7a(c)(6)(A-D).

Radon test: If the child care center or group child care home uses the basement level or the first floor of a building, a minimum of one radon test shall be conducted using a device or service listed by one of the national radon proficiency programs. This test shall be completed during the months of November through April and the results posted with the license. Radon testing shall occur in the lowest level of the facility where child care services are provided. The Office and Department of Public Health shall be notified of the results. When results of radon gas in the air are equal to or greater than 4.0 (pCi/L), the operator shall ensure that the radon gas is reduced to below 4.0 pCi/L. A qualified residential mitigation service provider shall be hired to reduce the level of radon gas in the air.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(17).

Carbon monoxide detector- each level: Child care centers and group child care homes that utilize combustible fuel shall be equipped with at least one operable carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each occupied level of the licensed premises.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(18).

Indoor climbing play equipment- shock absorbing materials under and around: Indoor play equipment for climbing shall have a shock absorbing surface, under and around, that shall effectively cushion the fall of a child. Carpet is not considered a shock absorbing surface.

Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(6).

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).

Ratios- 1:4 (6wks-24mths), 1:5 (24-36mths): There shall be at least one program staff qualified under section 19a79-4a(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for every four children or fraction thereof who are under the age of two years in attendance and for every five children or fraction thereof who are two years old in attendance, indoors and outdoors.

Rule 19a-79-10(c)(2).

Group size- max 8 (6wks-24mths), max 10 (24-36mths): The group size shall not exceed eight for children that are under the age of two years and shall not exceed ten for children that are two years old, indoors and outdoors.

Rule 19a-79-10(c)(3).

Supervision: Children shall be supervised at all times while at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised.

Rule 19a-79-4a(d)(4)(D).

Outdoor Protected/Fenced: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children. Fences used to protect children from hazards shall be at least four feet in height. When there is a swimming pool or any other body of water at the facility or near enough to the facility to attract or be accessible to children at any time of the year, there shall be a sturdy fence or barrier, four feet high or higher, which totally and effectively bars access to the water by children. All entries and exits through such fence or barrier shall have self-closing, self-latching devices or locks. When an outside wall of the child care center or group child care home that serves as one side of the fence or barrier to the body of water has a doorway, such doorway shall remain locked. Decorative ponds, fishponds, fountains or similar bodies of water that do not have a fence or barrier as required in this subdivision, shall be completely covered with a childproofing grate or other barrier to prevent access to children. Locks shall be openable with a key, combination, fingerprint, magnet or other unlocking mechanism that prevents an unauthorized person from obtaining access. A rooftop used as a play area shall be enclosed with a wall, fence or permanent physical barrier not less than six feet high and the bottom edge shall be no more than three and one half inches from the base or floor. The wall, fence or permanent physical barrier shall be designed to prevent children from climbing it.

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

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 and a written report of a negative tuberculin test.

Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2).

Logs/Visits Documented: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative services shall include documenting the activities and observations in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.

Rule 19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G).

Child Health Records/Immunizations/TB: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child’s parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include a health record that shall include date of birth, a physical examination form, an immunization record, and information regarding disabilities or special health care needs.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(A) through (E)and/or19a-79-6a(e).

Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff): The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child’s parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include an individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities, developed with the child’s parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as necessary.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E).

Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked: Potentially hazardous substances in the child care centers and group child care homes shall be stored in a separate locked area.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(10).

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).

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).

Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children.

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

Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR: 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 two (2) years after the child is no longer attending the program.

Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4).

Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Unused/Expired Meds Returned/Disposed: All unused or expired medication shall be returned to the parent(s) or disposed of if it is not picked up within one (1) week following the termination of the order, in the presence of at least one witness. The facility shall keep a written record of the medications destroyed which shall be signed by both parties. The facility shall require the parent(s) of a child who has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector, or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an allergic reaction or injectable equipment used to administer glucagon or inhalant medication to treat asthma, to provide the injector or equipment labeled with the information from the prescriber upon enrollment and attendance of such child at the facility, and replace such medication and equipment prior to its expiration date.

Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(5)(D) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(5)(E).

Administration-Ensuring the safety, health & development of children: The operator of the child care center or group child care home shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and applicable endorsements in such a manner as to ensure the safety, health and development of the children while in the operator’s care.

Rule 19a-79-3a. From a complaint.

First Aid Kit(s):Indoor/Outdoor/Field Trip: The facility shall maintain at least one (1) portable, readily available first aid kit wherever children are in care, including field trips, outdoor play areas and one to remain at the facility if all the children do not attend the field trip. Each kit shall be a closed container for storing first aid supplies, accessible to staff at all times but out of the reach of children. The first aid kit shall contain specified items and be restocked after use, and an inventory shall be conducted at least monthly.

Rule 19a-6a(c) and/or 19a-6a(d).

Health Consultant/Documentation of Visits: A health consultant shall visit the program on the days and times children under the age of three (3) are present. The health consultant shall prepare and maintain signed documentation of visits which shall be kept on the licensed premises. The health consultant shall visit the program according to the following schedule: (A) once a week for children up to twenty-four (24) months of age, (B) once a week for children two (2) to three (3) years of age attending a full day, and (C) once a month for children two (2) to three (3) years of age attending part day programs.

Rule 19a-79-10(i).

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).

Administration-Ensuring the safety, health & development of children: The operator of the child care center or group child care home shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and applicable endorsements in such a manner as to ensure the safety, health and development of the children while in the operator’s care.

Rule 19a-79-3a.

Documentation of Behavioral Management Techniques Discussed with Parents: The operator shall document that the techniques used to manage child behaviors in the facility have been discussed with the child’s parent(s) prior to enrollment and reviewed as needed during the period of the child’s enrollment.

Rule 19a-79-3a(b)(8)(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 and a written report of a negative tuberculin test.

Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2).

Supervision: The operator shall be responsible for assuring the supervision of the children at all times while the children are at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised.

Rule 19a-79-4a(c)(4)(D).

Logs/Visits Documented: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative services shall include documenting the activities and observations in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.

Rule 19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G).

Child Health Records/Immunizations/TB: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child’s parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include a health record that shall include date of birth, a physical examination form, an immunization record, and information regarding disabilities or special health care needs.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(A) through (E)and/or19a-79-6a(e).

Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff): The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child’s parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include an individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities, developed with the child’s parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as necessary.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E).

License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe: The building, equipment and services 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-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a.

Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked: Potentially hazardous substances in the child care centers and group child care homes shall be stored in a separate locked area.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(10).

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).

Rugs Secured: Rugs, if used, shall be secured to the floor.

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

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).

Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children.

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

Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR: 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 two (2) years after the child is no longer attending the program.

Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4).

Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Unused/Expired Meds Returned/Disposed: All unused or expired medication shall be returned to the parent(s) or disposed of if it is not picked up within one (1) week following the termination of the order, in the presence of at least one witness. The facility shall keep a written record of the medications destroyed which shall be signed by both parties. The facility shall require the parent(s) of a child who has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector, or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an allergic reaction or injectable equipment used to administer glucagon or inhalant medication to treat asthma, to provide the injector or equipment labeled with the information from the prescriber upon enrollment and attendance of such child at the facility, and replace such medication and equipment prior to its expiration date.

Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(5)(D) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(5)(E).