4 AAC 62.610. Specialized program activities

(a) A child care facility may not provide a program of moderate risk activities on a regular basis without a specialized program activity specialization approved by the department, including specialized program activities such as gymnastics, swimming, camping, wilderness walks, horseback riding, canoeing, skiing, climbing, fishing, skateboarding, rollerblading, scooter riding, and bike riding.

(b) A child care facility must base a program activity on a plan that addresses each requirement in this section. A child care facility shall ensure that each employee involved in the activity reviews the plan and that a copy of the plan is taken on each activity away from the child care facility, if the activity is conducted away from the child care facility.

(c) A child care facility shall ensure that the plan required under (b) of this section establishes emergency procedures and injury control procedures for any specialized program activity the child care facility conducts. The emergency procedures and injury control procedures must include

(1) carrying or posting of emergency telephone numbers, if telephones are available;

(2) identification, respect for, and avoidance of potential weather hazards;

(3) identification and warning to children of other potential hazards, such as noxious plants, bears and other wild animals, cliffs, mine shafts, and polluted waters; and

(4) development of contingency plans to deal with lost children, accidents, and other emergencies.

(d) A child care facility must plan for supervision during specialized program activities so that

(1) the child-to-caregiver ratios required in 4 AAC 62.405 are maintained or increased appropriate to the planned activity; in this paragraph, "increased appropriate to the planned activity" means the child care facility has provided a recognized national standard or other expert documentation to support their proposed child-to-caregiver ratio;

(2) a caregiver who has at least the equivalent of one year of experience in the specialized program activity is designated to supervise the activity;

(3) caregivers who supervise specialized program activities in which children participate have demonstrated competency in those activities; this demonstration may include certification from an organization with recognized expertise in the applicable activity or documentation of training or experience in the activity; and

(4) if applicable, caregivers have received special training necessary to protect the safety and health of children with special needs.

(e) A child care facility shall take the following general health and safety precautions during an activity away from the child care facility:

(1) the child care facility shall take the first aid kit on field trips and outings as required by 4 AAC 62.520(j) ; and

(2) at least one caregiver accompanying the children must be certified in first aid and CPR.

History: Eff. 2/8/2002, Register 161

Authority: AS 14.37.020

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