Stepping Stones at The Park

To be qualified as a director, a person must possess either: a Bachelor’s degree, including or in addition to 12 credits in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field; one year of full-time teaching experience in a child care center, family or group family day care home or other early childhood program; and one year of experience supervising staff in a child care program or a related field of work; or

Rule 418-1.13(g)(1)(i). From a complaint.

Child care center staff must personally make, or cause to be made, an immediate report to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment by telephone, followed by a written report within 48 hours, in the form and manner prescribed by the Office, to the child protective service of the social services district in the county in which the child resides.

Rule 418-1.10(c)(1). From a complaint.

The program must immediately notify the parent and Office upon learning of the following events involving a child which occurred while the child was in care at the program or was being transported by the program: serious incident,

Rule 418-1.15(b)(14)(ii). From a complaint.

Trash, garbage and combustible materials must not be stored in the furnace room or in rooms or outdoor areas adjacent to the facility that are ordinarily occupied by or accessible to children.

Rule 418-1.4(g). From a complaint.

Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher’s range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child’s age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Rule 418-1.8(a). From a complaint.

An additional group teacher or an assistant teacher is required when the number of children in the group dictate that a second teacher be present to meet the teacher/child ratio.

Rule 418-1.8(f). From a complaint.

for 5-year-old children: there must be one teacher for every nine children;

Rule 418-1.8(k)(6)(i). From a complaint.

When preschool children are cared for in school age groups at the very beginning or very end of the day, the teacher/child ratio and maximum group size applicable to the youngest child in the group must be followed.

Rule 418-1.8(l)(10). From a complaint.

The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;

Rule 418-1.15(c)(5). Corrected during the inspection.

Trash, garbage and combustible materials must not be stored in the furnace room or in rooms or outdoor areas adjacent to the facility that are ordinarily occupied by or accessible to children.

Rule 418-1.4(g).

The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time.

Rule 418-1.15(a)(4).

Before any change is made, the Office must be notified and must approve the re-designation of a classroom to a different age group of children.

Rule 418-1.3(c).

The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time.

Rule 418-1.15(a)(4).

for children between ages 18 months old and 36 months old: there must be one teacher for every five children;

Rule 418-1.8(k)(3)(i).

There must be a director, group teacher or assistant teacher supervising all applicants, volunteers and persons in the process of approval.

Rule 418-1.8(m).

The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time.

Rule 418-1.15(a)(4). From a complaint. Corrected during the inspection.

All staff and volunteers of the child day care center must be familiar with the Office regulations and policies governing such programs, and the child care center’s policies. Such regulations and policies must be readily accessible to staff and volunteers for reference purposes.

Rule 418-1.15(b)(13). From a complaint.

The child day care center must provide supervision of the staff responsible for the care of children. Workloads and assignments must be arranged to provide consistency of care to children and to allow staff to fulfill their respective responsibilities.

Rule 418-1.8(c). From a complaint.

A group teacher, meeting the qualifications of section 418-1.13, is required for every group of children.

Rule 418-1.8(e). From a complaint. Corrected during the inspection.

for 4-year-old children: there must be one teacher for every eight children;

Rule 418-1.8(k)(5)(i). From a complaint.

for 4-year-old children: the maximum group size is twenty-one children.

Rule 418-1.8(k)(5)(ii). From a complaint. Corrected during the inspection.

Each applicant for, or individual in the position of director, teacher, or volunteer must complete Office-approved training that complies with federal minimum health and safety pre-service or three-month orientation period requirements. This training must be obtained pre-service or within three months of starting such position.

Rule 418-1.14(b).

The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time.

Rule 418-1.15(a)(4). From a complaint.

Parents must be given the opportunity to discuss issues related to their children and the care of their children with the director, group teacher or assistant teacher. Such opportunities must occur at the time of enrollment and as frequently as needed thereafter, but at least annually.

Rule 418-1.15(b)(15). From a complaint.

The child day care center must post or display conspicuously in a place to which parents have free and daily access, the following: the name(s), addresses and telephone numbers of person(s) with the legal responsibility and administrative authority for the operation of the child day care center;

Rule 418-1.15(b)(22)(ii). From a complaint.

When a child care center is in operation, an adequate number of qualified teachers must be on duty to ensure the health and safety of the children in care.

Rule 418-1.8(j). From a complaint.

When school age children are mixed with pre-school children at the beginning and end of the day, toddlers may not be mixed in these groups. School age children may not be mixed with children under age three at any time.

Rule 418-1.8(l)(12). From a complaint.

Except for Office approved continuity of care classrooms, infants may never be mixed with other age groups.

Rule 418-1.8(l)(7). From a complaint.

When toddlers are cared for with preschool children in a mixed age group at the very beginning or very end of the day, the teacher/child ratio and maximum group size applicable to children aged 18 months to 36 months must be followed.

Rule 418-1.8(l)(9). From a complaint.

Child day care centers must review and evaluate the backgrounds of all applicants for staff and volunteer positions. All applicants whose backgrounds must be checked are required to provide the following: The information necessary to complete the criminal history review and background clearance requirements as outlined in this Part. This information must be submitted to the Office on forms provided by the Office.

Rule 418-1.13(b)(6).

Other than for school age children, sleeping and napping arrangements must be made in writing between the parent and the program. Such arrangements shall include: the area of the program where the child will nap; whether the child will nap on a cot, mat, bed or a crib; and how the napping child will be supervised, consistent with the requirements of section 418-1.8 of this Subpart.

Rule 418-1.7(o).

The use of any type of personal electronic media device for social or entertainment purposes, including but not limited to, listening to music on headphones, playing screen games, surfing the internet, sending e-mails, or making personal calls while supervising children is prohibited. The use of mobile phones is permitted as necessary to promote the children’s safety and ensuring the orderly operation of the program.

Rule 418-1.8(n).