Current through September 17, 2024
All buildings, including all detached buildings, for the
purpose of providing care to children must meet the following physical plant
standards.
006.01
WATER
SUPPLY. Have an accessible, adequate, safe, and potable supply of
water for drinking, food preparation, hand washing, bathing, and laundry which
is maintained and meets the following requirements:
(A) if drinking 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 ail tests that show the water contains contaminants that exceed a
maximum contaminant or action level. The water supply must be tested annually
and the tests results must be available for review upon request. If the water
supply does not meet nitrate, total coliform bacteria and lead standards until
the contaminants are lowered to acceptable levels the licensee must:
(i) Obtain water from a source approved by
the Department; or
(ii) Purchase
water from a commercial source.
(B) Provide drinking water by sanitary
drinking fountains or individual or disposable cups;
(C) Drinking fountains must have mouth guards
with water issuing under sufficient pressure;
(D) Provide sanitary dispensing and disposal
unit for paper cups;
(E) Provide
running water under pressure;
(F)
Each hot water storage tank must have a working pressure and temperature relief
valve;
(G) Provide adequate cold
water and adequate water heating facilities so that a sufficient amount of hot
water, maintained between 100 and 120 degrees of Fahrenheit, is available for
general cleaning bathing, bathing, as well as washing and sanitizing utensils;
and
(H) Provide soap for hand
washing.
006.02
SEWER REQUIREMENTS. A sanitary and functioning sewage
system must be maintained and either connect to a municipal sewage system or
comply with the requirements set by the Nebraska Department of Environmental
Quality for the operation and maintenance of an onsite wastewater
system.
006.03
VENTILATION. Kitchen, bathrooms, and services rooms must have
ventilation by window or mechanical means through a vent leading directly to
the outside.
006.04
HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM. All occupied buildings must have a
functioning heating and cooling system with clean filters which maintains
building temperature at not less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than
85 degrees Fahrenheit.
006.05
LIGHTING. All occupied buildings must have adequate
lighting in every room, hallway, interior and exterior stairway, interior and
exterior doorway, porch, ramp, and fire escape.
006.06
LAUNDRY.
There must be separate areas for storage of soiled linen and clean linen.
Laundry services may be provided by contract or on-site. Areas dedicated to
laundry must include:
(A) An operable non-coin
washer and dryer at a ratio of one washer and one dryer per every six children;
and
(B) Laundry detergent,
including specific detergent for children with allergies.
006.07
CHILD LIVING
AREAS. A garage, barn, shed, travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer,
recreational vehicle, portable classrooms, or similar structure must not be
used as a child living area. Living areas must be:
(1) Furnished with beds, chairs, sofas,
tables, and storage items that are comfortable and reflective of individual
needs and intended use of the area; and
(2) Have Fire Marshal approval for use.
006.07(A)
PRIVACY
ROOMS. Rooms must be available to allow privacy for interviewing a
child or parents and for a child to visit relatives or guests.
006.07(B)
ACTIVITY
AREAS. There must be a minimum of 50 square feet of space for each
child for individual or group activities.
006.07(C)
LEISURE AND
RECREATION. Space used for leisure and recreation must be separate
from the child's bedroom and dining, meeting, and studying areas.
006.07(D)
BEDROOMS.
Bedrooms must:
(i) Be designated to provide
separation of males and females;
(ii) Allow for sleeping;
(iii) Afford privacy;
(iv) Provide access to belongings;
(v) Provide adequate storage for
belongings;
(vi) Accommodate the
care provided to the child;
(vii)
Be approved by the Fire Marshal;
(viii) Not be shared by more than four
children;
(ix) Contain:
(1) A minimum of 100 square feet of usable
floor space for a private room; or
(2) A minimum of 70 square feet per child if
the room is shared; and
(3) A
ceiling height of at least seven feet.
006.07(E)
BED
REQUIREMENTS. Each child must have his or her own separate bed
frame that is at least two inches off the floor and which has a mattress and
bedding. The licensee must ensure a complete change of bedding is provided at
least once a week or more frequently when soiled. The bed must:
(i) Be adequate in width and length for the
child's height and weight;
(ii) Be
in good condition; and
(iii) Be
spaced no closer to another bed than 36 inches laterally or
end-to-end.
006.07(F)
BUNK BEDS. Bunk beds may be used, if age and
developmentally appropriate to the child, and must be constructed of safe,
stable materials and have a sturdy ladder for access to the top bunk.
006.07(G)
BATHROOMS.
One operable toilet, sink, tub, or shower for every six children in care must
be available. Toilets must be on the same floor as children's sleeping areas
and sinks must be on a one to one ratio with toilets. Bathrooms must:
(i) Be able to be unlocked from the
outside;
(ii) Not be accessed
through another child's or staffs bedroom;
(iii) Not open directly into a room which
food, drink, or utensils are handled or stored;
(iv) Be kept clean, in good repair, well
lighted and well ventilated;
(v) Be
located in an area that is enclosed and provides for privacy;
(vi) Be adequately supplied with toilet
paper; and
(vii) Have
slip-resistant surfaces in tubs and showers.
006.08
STAFF BEDROOM AND
BATHROOM. When staff live in or sleep at the residential
child-caring agency, there must be at least one room adequately furnished and a
private bath area reserved for staff. Staff rooms must be located in the same
building as the children's sleeping rooms when counted in the staff-to-child
ratio.
006.09
OUTDOOR
AREAS. Any outdoor area used by children must be equipped and
situated in such a manner as to encourage activity and assure the safety of
children and must:
(A) Have 50 square feet of
area per child;
(B) Be equipped
with age and developmentally appropriate play equipment; and
(C) Have no standing or stagnant water or
sewage present.
006.10
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. If the licensee maintains a
school at the residential child-caring agency, the buildings and equipment must
meet the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education for an approved
or accredited school.
006.11
FIRE SAFETY. The licensee must maintain fire safety
approval at all times.
006.12
SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY. The licensee must
maintain sanitation and environmental requirements at ail times.
