Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 196 - Human Services Department
Chapter 9503 - CHILD CARE CENTER LICENSING
Part 9503.0070 - NIGHT CARE PROGRAM

Subpart 1. Applicability.

A license holder operating a night care program must comply with this part as well as with all other requirements of parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0170.

Subp. 2. Furnishings.

Each child enrolled in a night care program must be provided with a crib, a bed, or a cot with a mattress. A crib and two sets of clean linens must be provided for each infant and meet the standards specified in part 9503.0050. A bed or a cot with a mattress, two sets of sheets, a blanket or quilt, and personal towels and washcloths must be provided for each child in all other age categories.

Subp. 3. Garments for sleeping.

The license holder must ensure that all children are put to bed in garments for sleeping as designated by the child's parent.

Subp. 4. Personal effects.

The license holder must ensure that all children have the personal effects needed to clean up and prepare for sleep. The effects must include an individual wash cloth, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, and liquid hand soap.

Subp. 5. Meals and snacks.

The license holder must ensure that a child who will be present in the center between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. has had or will be provided with an evening meal. A bedtime snack must be available for all children in attendance. Eating times and schedules for the individual child must be consistent with patterns established in consultation with the child's parents.

Subp. 6. Staffing.

At least two staff persons, one of whom must qualify as a teacher under part 9503.0032, must be present in the center at all times during the hours the night program is in operation. When more than 80 percent of the children present are asleep, the remaining staff persons needed to meet the required staff-to-child ratio must have at least the qualifications of a child care aide. Program staff must be awake and dressed and provide supervision to children who are sleeping.

Subp. 7. Wash-up assistance.

The license holder must ensure that children have the opportunity to wash up and cleanse their teeth before bedtime and be assisted by program staff when necessary.

Subp. 8. Privacy.

To ensure privacy, school-age boys and girls must be separated during bedtime washing and changing activities.

Subp. 9. Infants.

Infants must have a sleep area separate from the center's play and activity areas.

Subp. 10. Bedtime.

A child's bedtime must be scheduled in consultation with the child's parent.

Subp. 11. Light.

In rooms used for sleep during children's bedtime, light must be reduced to no less than one footcandle.

Subp. 12. Program emphasis.

A license holder operating a night care program must comply with the child care program standards in part 9503.0045. However, the child care program plan must emphasize quiet activities.

Subp. 13. Exceptions.

The outdoor activity area, outdoor activities, and outdoor equipment required by part 9503.0060 for children enrolled in a night care program need not be provided.