4 AAC 62.420. Program in child care facilities

(a) A child care facility shall provide structure and daily activities designed to promote a child's individual physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Satisfactory compliance with this subsection requires that

(1) a facility has a schedule and daily plan of activities for each age group that provides a balance of quiet and active, group and individual activities, and that includes time for meals, snacks, sleep, toileting according to individual needs, and indoor and outdoor play; for purposes of this paragraph

(A) a center shall provide the schedule and activity plan in writing; and

(B) in a home, the schedule and plan need not be written, except that a typical daily schedule and plan must be presented at the time of application for a license;

(2) opportunities be provided for individual self-expression and imaginative play;

(3) opportunities be provided for a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity for every three hours the facility is open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and daily supervised activity outdoors, when weather and the individual child's tolerance permit;

(4) opportunities be provided for each child to foster independence;

(5) opportunities be provided for intellectual and social development through use of a variety of activities and materials such as games, toys, books, crafts, puzzles, and blocks;

(6) opportunities be provided for language development, including encouraging children to talk and read books;

(7) television, digital video display, video cassette viewing, and computer and video game use not exceed one and one half hours in a 24 hour period, except for special occasions, and is limited to programs and games specifically designed for the interest and benefit of the child;

(8) computer learning activities not exceed two hours a day; and

(9) a parent with children enrolled be encouraged to visit the facility freely to observe or participate.

(b) In addition to the requirements in (a) of this section, a facility providing care for infants or toddlers shall

(1) not routinely leave a child awake in a crib, swing, or similar device for more than 15 minutes without direct adult contact;

(2) provide opportunities for a child to develop a caring and nurturing relationship with and attachment to one or a small number of caregivers whose care for and responsiveness to the child ensure relief of distress, experiences of stimulation and comfort and satisfaction of the need for a connection with the child's caregiver;

(3) provide frequent verbal communication during feeding, changing, and cuddle times;

(4) provide physical contact through holding, rocking, and play, as well as bathing, dressing, and carrying a child;

(5) allow infants and toddlers, under supervision, ample opportunity during the day to explore and learn on their own outside of a playpen or other restraining device; and

(6) ensure that infants are placed on their backs to sleep, unless otherwise ordered by a physician.

(c) In addition to the requirements in (a) of this section, a facility providing care for school-age children shall provide

(1) a program that supplements rather than duplicates the child's school activities, providing a change of pace and interest between school and the child care program;

(2) freedom appropriate to the age of the child and opportunities for self-reliance and social responsibility;

(3) opportunities for school-age children to participate in the selection and planning of their own activities; and

(4) in centers, separate space, equipment, and supplies for the school-age children.

(d) Children in care in a facility shall be treated equitably with the caregiver's own children.

(e) Parents shall be allowed free access to their children and to all areas of a child care facility used by them.

(f) In addition to meeting the requirements in (a) of this section, a facility providing care for children with special needs shall

(1) include children with special needs and children without special needs in all activities possible;

(2) implement the plan of care developed as required in 4 AAC 62.300 for each child with special needs to enhance the child's health and developmental status;

(3) if a child is identified as a child with special needs after the child's admission to a child care facility, develop a plan of care under 4 AAC 62.300(c) for that child, unless the child care facility has reason to believe that even with reasonable accommodation, the child care facility cannot meet the needs of the child and discharges the child; and

(4) monitor the effectiveness of each child's plan of care and conduct regularly scheduled reassessments of each child's plan of care.

History: Eff. 1/1/96, Register 136; am 3/1/98, Register 145; am 2/8/2002, Register 161; am 10/3/2002, Register 163; am 10/4/2002, Register 163

Authority: AS 14.37.020

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