Tiny Learners Childcare

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). From a complaint.

Child behavior management: The operator and program staff shall manage child behavior using techniques based on developmentally appropriate practice, including positive guidance, redirection and setting clear limits that encourage children to develop self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem and communicate acceptable techniques to all staff.

Rule 19a-79-3a(b)(7)(A). From a complaint.

Video recordings- keep 30 days: The operator shall maintain any video recordings created at such child care center or group child care home for a period of not less than thirty days and make such recordings immediately available upon the request of the Office but no later than the next business day.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(4). From a complaint.

Manufacture guidelines followed-furniture, equipment and toys- CPSC unsafe/recalls: All manufacturer guidelines shall be followed for furniture, equipment and any toy that is used by, or around, children. Any furniture, equipment and toy that has been identified by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission as unsafe or subject to recall shall be removed or repaired as indicated.

Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(5). From a complaint.

Chairs for feeding-stable base-safety straps-locking tray: Chairs for feeding, each of which has a stable base, safety straps on all high chairs attached to the chair and a tray which locks securely.

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

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).

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).

Parent Permissions: 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 specific written permission forms signed by the parent(s) authorizing the operator to use the programs emergency policies which shall accompany the child on trips away from the premises, authorizing one responsible person other than the parent(s) who can remove the child from the child care center or group child care home, authorizing any activity away from the premises, and authorizing transportation services.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(1)(D)(i-iv).