Current through September 17, 2024
The preschool must be designed, constructed and maintained in
a manner that is safe, clean, and functional for a preschool program. The
following regulations apply to all areas of the preschool.
007.01
Activity
Space:
The preschool must have space for children's activities, free
play, and quiet time. The activity space must:
1. Have furnishings to accommodate all
activities and age-appropriate needs of all children in preschool;
2. Be available for all children;
and
3. Have at least 35 square feet
of activity space per child. Bathrooms, kitchen, isolation room, office,
passageways, storage, or space occupied by built-in cabinets must not be
considered when computing activity space.
007.02
Plumbing, Water Supply,
and Sewer Requirements:
5-007.02A
Plumbing: The licensee must ensure that:
1. No plumbing fixture or other device that
provides a connection between
a drinking water supply and a drainage, soil, waste, or other
sewer pipe so as to make possible the backflow of sewage or waste water into
the potable water supply system. Water that has been used for cooling or for
any other purpose must not be returned to the system; and
2. All plumbing conforms to the local
plumbing code. Where no plumbing code is in effect, plumbing must conform to
national standards as provided in Neb. Rev. Stat.
§
18-1915.
5-007.02B
Water
Supply: The licensee must ensure the preschool has and maintains
an accessible, adequate, safe, and potable supply of water for drinking, food
preparation, and hand washing.
1. If water is
obtained from a source other than a public water supply system, the water must
not contain contaminants that exceed the maximum contaminant levels set for
nitrate, or total coliform for public water supply systems in 179 NAC
2-002, and 179 NAC 3 or the lead
action level set in 179 NAC 12. The licensee must report to the Department the
results of all tests that show the water contains contaminants that exceed a
maximum contaminant or action level.
a. The
water supply must be tested annually and the tests results must be available
for review upon request.
b. If the
water supply does not meet nitrate, total coliform bacteria and lead standards,
the licensee must, until the contaminants are lowered to acceptable levels:
(1) Obtain water from a source approved by
the Department; or
(2) Purchase
water from a commercial source.
2. Drinking water must be provided by
sanitary drinking fountains or individual or disposable cups.
a. The use of common drinking containers is
prohibited.
b. Sanitary dispensing
and disposal units must be provided for paper cups.
c. Drinking fountains must have mouth guards
with water issuing under sufficient pressure.
3. The licensee must ensure that:
a. Running water under pressure is
provided;
b. Each hot water storage
tank is provided with a pressure and temperature relief valve;
c. Adequate water heating facilities are
provided so that a sufficient amount of hot water for general cleaning as well
as washing and sanitizing utensils is available at proper
temperatures;
d. Water supply to
all hand washing and bathing locations is maintained between a minimum of 100
degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit; and
e. Soap is available for hand
washing.
5-007.02C
Sewer
Requirements: When a municipal sewage system is not available, the
licensee must:
1. Collect, treat, and dispose
of sewage and all liquid waste with a sewage system that conforms to local
ordinances; or
2. Where local
ordinances do not exist, sewage disposal systems must comply with the
regulations of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
007.03
Outdoor Play Area:
The licensee must ensure that an outdoor play area is
available. The area must be kept clean and safe and contain no accident hazards
or debris.
5-007.03A
Outdoor Play Equipment: The licensee must ensure that:
1. Stationary outdoor equipment such as
climbing apparatus, swings, or slides are located away from traffic areas in
the outdoor play area;
2.
Stationary outdoor equipment is securely anchored, unless designed to be
portable;
3. Equipment is free of
rust and free of sharp and hazardous edges; and
4. Swing seats are made of a pliable
material. Seats must not be made of hard plastic, wood, or metal.
5-007.03B
Playground
Surfaces: The area under climbing equipment, swings, slides, and
other equipment from which children might fall must be of resilient material
such as sand, dirt, grass, rubber matting, rubber mulch, wood chips, or
small-to-medium size gravel.
007.04
Toilets and
Sinks:
The preschool must have sufficient toilets and sinks
available for children's use. A minimum of one operable toilet and one operable
sink must be available per 15 children. Toilet rooms must be fully enclosed. A
sink must be readily available to each toilet. Sanitary dispensing and disposal
units must be provided for paper towels and must be installed at heights
convenient for the children's use. Toilets and sinks must be:
1. Conveniently located;
2. Clean, operable, and in good
repair;
3. Designed to accommodate
children with special needs, when applicable; and
4. Of suitable height for children or have a
safe stepstool.
5-007.04A If a door
to the toilet room opens directly from a food service area, the door must be
self-closing and tight-fitting.
5-007.04B The licensee must ensure that no
adult or child resumes work or play after using the bathroom without first
washing his/her hands.
007.05
Fire Safety:
The licensee must maintain fire safety approval at all
times.
