North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 15A - Environmental Quality
Chapter 18 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Subchapter A - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Section .2800 - SANITATION OF CHILD CARE CENTERS
Section 18A .2822 - TOYS, EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE

(a) Toys, equipment, and furniture provided by a child care center shall be kept clean and in good repair. In rooms designated for children who are not toilet trained, toys and other mouth-contact surfaces that are used by children shall be cleaned and then sanitized after each use and when visibly dirty. Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized as follows:

(b) Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces that are not designed to be submerged in liquid shall be washed and rinsed in place, sprayed with a sanitizing solution, and allowed to air dry. Hard plastic toys may be washed and rinsed in a dishwasher and cloth toys may be laundered and mechanically dried without requiring sanitizing.

(c) Toys, furniture, cribs, or other items accessible to children shall be free of peeling, flaking, or chalking paint.

(d) Water play centers shall be filled with potable water immediately before children begin a water play session. Water shall be emptied after each play session and at a minimum each morning and afternoon, or more often if no longer clean. The water play centers, including toys, shall be cleaned and sanitized at least daily or more often if no longer clean. Water play is prohibited during the outbreak and investigation of a communicable disease or condition at the child care center. Wading pools are not considered water play centers and are regulated under the rules in Section .2500 of this Subchapter.