Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 196 - Human Services Department
Chapter 9503 - CHILD CARE CENTER LICENSING
Part 9503.0060 - FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND SUPPLIES

Universal Citation: MN Rules 9503.0060

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. General requirements.

Each child care program must have the quantity and type of equipment specified in subparts 3 to 6 for the age categories of children served. Equipment must be appropriate to the age categories and any special needs of the children served. A center must have enough equipment for the number of children for which the center is licensed unless the use of equipment is rotated among groups of children. If the equipment is rotated among groups of children, the center must have enough for the maximum group size of the age category scheduled to use the equipment at times shown on the child care program plan. When the term "group" is used in this part it means the maximum group size for the age category specified in part 9503.0040, subpart 1. The minimum equipment specified for an age category in subparts 3 to 6 must be accessible every day to the children of that age category and arranged as specified in the child care program plan. Centers operating for less than three hours a day do not have to provide the outdoor equipment required in subpart 4, item B, subitem (9); subpart 5, item B, subitem (9); and subpart 6, item B, subitem (7).

Subp. 2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this part, the following terms have the meanings given them.

A. "Cognitive development equipment and materials" means equipment and materials designed to enhance components of intellectual development, such as problem solving abilities, observation skills, group skills, and symbol recognition.

B. "Dramatic play equipment" or "practical life activity equipment" means equipment, such as dress up clothes, large or miniature play sets, figures, and small and large building blocks that can be used to design a setting or space that stimulates the child's imagination and encourages role playing and the learning of practical life skills.

C. "Large muscle equipment" means equipment that is designed to enhance large muscle development and coordination, such as playground equipment, large boxes and pillows, large wheel toys, pull toys, balls, jump ropes, climbers, and rocking boats.

D. "Manipulative equipment" means equipment that is designed to enhance fine motor development and coordination, such as pegs and peg boards, puzzles, beads and strings, interlocking plastic forms, and carpentry materials.

E. "Sensory stimulation materials" means equipment, other than pictures, that has different shapes, colors, and textures that stimulate the child's visual and tactile senses. Examples of sensory stimulation materials include mobiles, crib attached activity boxes, sand and water activity materials, swatches of different textures of cloth, and wooden or plastic items of different shapes and colors.

Subp. 3. Equipment and materials for infants.

The minimum equipment and materials required for a center serving infants are as follows:

A. Furnishings:
(1) one area rug or carpet per group;

(2) a variety of nonfolding child size chairs including infant seats and high chairs, one per child, or a minimum of four per group;

(3) one changing table for every group of 12 infants and succeeding group of 12 or fewer infants;

(4) one foot operated, covered diaper container per changing table;

(5) one crib or portacrib and waterproof mattress per child; and

(6) one linear foot of low, open shelving per child.

B. Program equipment and materials:
(1) one book per child;

(2) two large, soft building blocks per child;

(3) two pieces of infant mobility equipment, such as strollers and wagons per group;

(4) two pieces of manipulative equipment per child such as shape toys and clutch balls;

(5) one mirror at least 12 inches by 36 inches in size made of Plexiglas or a similar plastic or of safety glass per group;

(6) one music source such as a tape player or record player per group and music selections appropriate for the music source;

(7) one noise or music making toy per child;

(8) visual and tactile sensory stimulation materials as needed to provide visual and tactile stimulation; and

(9) one soft washable toy per child.

C. Supplies:
(1) two sets of blankets and sheets for each crib;

(2) an adequate amount of disposable paper for the changing table;

(3) an adequate amount of diapers;

(4) an adequate amount of facial tissue;

(5) an adequate amount of single service towels; and

(6) an adequate amount of liquid hand soap.

Subp. 4. Equipment and materials for toddlers.

The minimum equipment required for a center serving toddlers is as follows:

A. Furnishings:
(1) one area rug or carpet per group;

(2) one nonfolding child size chair, including high chairs, per child;

(3) one changing table for every group of 14 toddlers and succeeding group of 14 or fewer toddlers;

(4) one foot operated, covered diaper container per changing table;

(5) one cot per child (mats are acceptable for programs operating during the day for less than five hours);

(6) one partially enclosed space equipped for quiet activity per group;

(7) one linear foot of low open shelving per child; and

(8) 20 linear inches of child size table edge per child.

B. Program equipment and materials:
(1) arts and crafts supplies, such as clay or playdough, tempera or finger paints, colored and white paper, paste, collage materials, paint brushes, washable felt type markers, crayons, blunt scissors, and smocks;

(2) one book per child;

(3) 24 large building blocks per group;

(4) 100 small building blocks per group;

(5) three pieces of dramatic play equipment or sets of Montessori Practical Life equipment per group;

(6) materials and accessories required for subitem (5) as needed to carry out the theme of the activity, or six Montessori Practical Life exercises;

(7) one double easel per group;

(8) three pieces of durable, indoor, large muscle equipment per group;

(9) three pieces of durable, outdoor, large muscle equipment per group;

(10) one mirror, at least 12 inches by 36 inches, made of Plexiglas or a similar plastic or safety glass, per group;

(11) one music source such as a tape recorder or record player per group and music selections appropriate for the source;

(12) one set of cognitive developmental equipment and materials, such as puzzles and matching games, per child;

(13) two sets of manipulative equipment, such as interlocking plastic forms or beads and string, per child;

(14) one music making toy per child;

(15) one soft washable toy per child; and

(16) sensory stimulation materials as needed to provide visual and tactile stimulation.

C. Supplies:
(1) an adequate amount of disposable paper for the changing table;

(2) an adequate amount of diapers;

(3) an adequate amount of facial tissue;

(4) an adequate amount of single service towels; and

(5) an adequate amount of liquid hand soap.

Subp. 5. Equipment and materials for preschoolers.

The minimum equipment required for a center serving preschoolers is as follows:

A. Furnishings:
(1) one area rug or carpet per group;

(2) one nonfolding child size chair per child;

(3) one cot or bed and waterproof mattress per child (mats are acceptable for programs operating during the day for less than five hours). This subitem is not required for preschoolers in programs operating for less than five hours per day if rest is not indicated as part of the center's child care program;

(4) two square feet of wall or bulletin board display space per child, one-half at child's eye level;

(5) one partially enclosed space equipped for quiet activity per group;

(6) one linear foot of open shelving per child; and

(7) 20 linear inches of child size table edge per child.

B. Program equipment and materials:
(1) arts and crafts supplies, such as clay or playdough, tempera or fingerpaints, white or colored paper, paste, collage materials, paint brushes, washable felt type markers, crayons, scissors, and smocks;

(2) two books per child;

(3) 48 large building blocks per group;

(4) 200 small building blocks per group;

(5) five pieces of dramatic play equipment or sets of Montessori Practical Life equipment per group;

(6) materials and accessories required for subitem (5) to carry out the theme of the activity;

(7) one double easel per group;

(8) three pieces of durable, indoor, large muscle equipment per group;

(9) three pieces of durable, outdoor, large muscle equipment per group;

(10) one mirror, at least 12 inches by 36 inches, made of Plexiglas or a similar plastic or safety glass, per group;

(11) one music source such as a tape recorder or record player per group and music selections appropriate for the source;

(12) one set of cognitive developmental equipment and materials, such as puzzles and number and letter games, per child;

(13) two sets of manipulative equipment, such as interlocking plastic forms, per child;

(14) pictures at child's eye level, mobiles, and other items as needed to create a pleasant environment and provide sensory stimulation; and

(15) one rhythm instrument per child.

C. Supplies:
(1) an adequate amount of facial tissue;

(2) an adequate amount of single service towels; and

(3) an adequate amount of liquid hand soap.

Subp. 6. Equipment and materials for school-age children.

The minimum equipment and materials required for a program serving school-age children are as follows:

A. Furnishings:
(1) one area rug or carpet per group;

(2) two square feet of wall or bulletin board display space per child;

(3) one nonfolding child size chair per child;

(4) one partially enclosed space equipped for quiet activity per group;

(5) one linear foot of open shelving per child; and

(6) 20 linear inches of table edge space per child.

B. Program equipment and materials:
(1) arts and crafts supplies, such as clay or playdough, tempera or fingerpaints, white or colored paper, paste, collage materials, paint brushes, felt type markers, crayons, and scissors;

(2) two books per child;

(3) three sets of dramatic play equipment or Montessori Practical Life area equipment per group;

(4) materials and accessories for subitem (3) as required to carry out the theme of the activity;

(5) one music source such as a tape recorder or record player per group and music selections appropriate for the source;

(6) five musical or rhythm instruments per group;

(7) three pieces of durable, outdoor, large muscle equipment per group;

(8) pictures at child's level, mobiles, and other items as needed to create a pleasant environment and provide sensory stimulation;

(9) one set of cognitive developmental equipment and materials, such as puzzles and games, per child;

(10) five sets of manipulative equipment, such as interlocking plastic forms, per group; and

(11) ten pieces of sports or recreational equipment, such as bats, balls, hoops, and jump ropes, per group.

C. Supplies:
(1) an adequate amount of facial tissue;

(2) an adequate amount of single service towels; and

(3) an adequate amount of liquid hand soap.

Statutory Authority: MS s 245A.02; 245A.09; 252.28

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