Delaware Administrative Code
Title 14 - Education
900 - Special Populations
933 - DELACARE: Regulations for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers
Part V - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY
Section 933-V-49.0 - Indoor Space

Universal Citation: 14 DE Admin Code 933-V-49.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

49.1 A licensee shall show evidence of security procedures that ensures access to children is limited to authorized people. A licensee shall ensure visitors who are not touring the center, attending a special event, visiting children, or not providing a service to the center that requires access to children, remain outside of areas where children are located.

49.2 A licensee shall ensure the center is constructed, used, furnished, maintained, and equipped in compliance with all applicable requirements established by federal, State, local and municipal regulatory bodies. A licensee shall have written certification of compliance from the appropriate regulatory bodies governing zoning, building construction, safety, sanitation, and fire safety including Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for air quality and radon testing and Department of Health and Social Services Office of Drinking Water for well water.

49.3 A licensee shall keep all areas, furnishings, and equipment of the center in a clean, hazard-free, and safe condition. Floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets, and surfaces or finishes must be cleanable and in good repair.

49.4 A licensee shall ensure a center has enough lighting to allow for the supervision of children in areas where children's activities occur.

49.5 A licensee shall ensure interior space designated for children's use is available to children when the center is in operation.

49.5.1 This space must be arranged to allow each child adequate space for free movement and active play.

49.5.2 A center must have at least 35 square feet of usable floor space for each child in each area or room used by children.
49.5.2.1 Measurements are from wall to wall excluding areas that are not used by children.

49.5.2.2 Toilet rooms, kitchen areas, isolation areas for ill children, offices, storage spaces, hallways, furnace rooms, gymnasiums, and other areas not used as classroom space will not be counted in determining a center's capacity.

49.6 A licensee shall provide children with individual storage space so personal belongings, clothing, or bedding does not touch another child's belongings. This storage space must be labeled with the child's name.

49.7 A licensee shall ensure all unused electrical outlets accessible to children including unused power strips are covered. Child-resistant ground-fault circuit-interrupter "GFCI" type is exempt from being covered.

49.8 A licensee shall ensure every exit, exit access, and exit discharge is free of obstruction at all times. All closets must be provided with doors that can be readily opened from both sides.

49.9 A licensee shall ensure glass doors and windows within 36 inches of the floor have a vision strip or decal at children's eye level.

49.10 A licensee shall keep the center rodent-free and free of insect infestation. If pesticides are used, a licensee shall ensure they are used according to the instructions listed on the label.

49.11 A licensee shall ensure the following:

49.11.1 The water temperature does not exceed 120° F from faucets and other sources accessible to children;

49.11.2 All sinks supply hot and cold water under pressure at all times; and

49.11.3 All plumbing complies with State and local plumbing codes.

49.11.4 Portable sinks are prohibited.

49.12 A licensee shall ensure garbage and trash are stored securely in non-combustible, covered containers.

49.12.1 Recyclable paper may be in uncovered containers.

49.12.2 Indoor containers must be emptied at least daily to an outdoor receptacle and kept clean.

49.12.3 Outdoor trash and garbage containers must be inaccessible to children, emptied at least weekly, and, with the exception of dumpsters, cleaned as needed.

49.13 A licensee shall ensure firearms or ammunition are not within the center's premises. This regulation does not apply to law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

49.14 A licensee shall prohibit the burning of candles or incense and use of air fresheners.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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