Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 28 - EDUCATION
Part CLXI - Bulletin 137-Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations
Chapter 19 - Minimum Health, Safety, and Environment Requirements and Standards
Section CLXI-1903 - Physical Environment
Universal Citation: LA Admin Code CLXI-1903
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Exclusive Use of Space. Indoor and outdoor space shall be used exclusively by children in care and center staff during hours of operation.
1. Exceptions are allowed only for schools or
churches regarding the shared use of kitchens, dining rooms, restrooms and
outdoor space.
2. If a center is
located in a school or church, the center shall have time designated for
exclusive use of the outdoor play area.
B. Physical Separation. An early learning center, except one located in a church or school, shall be physically separated from any other facility, dwelling, business, or enterprise, thereby preventing unauthorized access to children in care.
C. Indoor and outdoor areas shall be free of hazards.
D. Indoor Space
1. A minimum of 35 square feet of usable
indoor space shall be available per child.
a.
Effective June 1, 2022, a center may request approval from the Office of State
Fire Marshal and the LDE, that for children ages four and above, a minimum of
25 square feet of usable indoor space shall be available per child in the
specified space for four year old and above use only.
b. The space shall not include toilet
facilities, hallways, lofts, storage spaces, stairways, lockers, offices,
storage or food preparation areas, rooms used exclusively for dining or
sleeping, or rooms used exclusively for the care of ill children.
c. The space shall not include toilet
facilities, hallways, lofts, storage spaces, stairways, lockers, offices,
storage or food preparation areas, rooms used exclusively for dining or
sleeping, or rooms used exclusively for the care of ill children.
2. The maximum number of
children in care at one time, whether on or off the premises, shall not exceed
the capacity as specified on the current license.
3. Any room counted as play space shall be
available for play for the duration of the hours of operation.
4. Indoor space shall include an area for
dining, which may be in each classroom.
5. The number of children using a room shall
be based on the 35 square feet per child requirement, except for dining,
sleeping, and other non-routine activities such as film viewing and
parties.
6. In rooms with cribs,
there shall be adequate open floor play space available for crawling, walking,
pulling up and playing that is free of routine care furniture.
7. An indoor area shall be maintained for the
purpose of providing privacy for diapering, dressing and other personal care
procedures for children beyond the usual diapering age.
E. Outdoor Space
1. A minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor
play space per child using the play space at any one time shall be
available.
2. The minimum outdoor
play space shall be available for at least one third of the licensed
capacity.
3. Outdoor play space
shall be available through a direct exit from the center into the outdoor play
space or shall be attached to the center in a manner that ensures children are
continuously protected by a permanent fence or other permanent barrier while
going to and from the center to the outdoor play space.
4. Children shall not enter or exit the
center through the kitchen.
5.
Outdoor play space shall be enclosed with a permanent fence or other permanent
barrier in a manner that protects children from traffic hazards, prevents
children from leaving the premises without proper supervision, and prevents
contact with animals or unauthorized persons.
6. Crawlspaces and mechanical, electrical, or
other hazardous equipment shall be made inaccessible to children.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:407.40(A)(2).
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana 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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.