Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 11, 2023
(A) What are the
safe equipment requirements for a licensed child care center?
(1) Equipment, materials, and furniture shall
be sturdy, safe, and easy to clean and maintain. They shall also be free of
sharp points or corners, splinters, or protruding nails; loose or rusty parts;
peeling or chipping paint
; or other hazardous features.
(2) Furniture, equipment and materials which
are not usable due to breakage or being a hazard shall be removed immediately
and stored away from children until repaired or replaced.
(3) Air conditioners, heat pumps, electric
fans and space heaters shall be mounted or placed out of the children's reach
or have safeguards which prevent children from being injured. All heaters
utilized by the child care center shall be approved in writing by the fire
department and/or the building department.
(4) Indoor swings (excluding infant swings),
slides, climbers, and climbing apparatuses shall not be placed over carpet,
concrete, tile, or any similarly hard surface. There shall be shock absorbent
protective covering under and around this equipment. If climbing equipment is
over three feet high, landing mats at least one and one half inches thick shall
be used. The protective covering shall be used and placed according to
manufacturers' guidelines.
(5)
All
children's equipment shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's
guidelines.
(6) Trampolines,
ball pits, and inflatable play equipment intended for climbing and bouncing, including
but not limited to slides and bounce houses shall not be permitted for use at the
center.
(B) What are the
safe environment requirements for a licensed child care center?
(1) Weapons, firearms and ammunition
materials shall not be on the premises. Weapons and firearms include air
rifles, hunting slingshots and any other projectile weapon.
(2) Each of the following groups will be
permitted to have the following weapons in a child care center, unless
specifically not permitted by the child care center owner. Although permitted
to be in the program, the weapons shall not be accessible to children.
(a) Handguns may be carried by an individual
with a valid concealed handgun license and must be kept out of sight of the
children.
(b) Weapons may be
carried by an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces if also carrying
valid military identification and documentation of successful completion of
firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in
division (G)(1) of section
2923.125 of the Revised
Code.
(c) Weapons may be carried by
a law enforcement official who can document that his or her jurisdiction
requires ready and immediate access to the weapon.
(3) Illegal drugs and substances shall not be
on the premises. Alcohol shall only be kept in areas not approved or used for
child care.
(4) In accordance with
section
2923.1212 of the Revised Code,
the center shall post a sign that contains a statement in substantially the
following form: "Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the
Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly
possess, have under the person's control, convey or attempt to convey a deadly
weapon or dangerous ordinanceonto these
premises."
(5) The center shall maintain an indoor temperature of
at least sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. If the center's indoor temperature
exceeds eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit, ventilation that produces air movement
or air conditioning shall be provided.
(6) Children in care
shall be protected from any items and conditions which threaten their health,
safety, and well being, including but not limited to: stoves, bodies of water,
window covering pull cords, telephone cords, electrical cords, extension cords,
lead hazards, asbestos, wells, traffic, employee's personal belongings and
other environmental hazards and dangerous situations. If a potential lead hazard is identified, ODJFS will make a
referral to the appropriate agency.
(7) If area rugs are
used, they shall have a nonskid backing and floor surfaces shall be maintained
to not cause a tripping hazard.
(8) Toys or other
materials small enough to be swallowed shall be kept out of the reach of
infants and toddlers.
(9) Cleaning and
sanitizing equipment and supplies shall be stored in a space that is
inaccessible to children. Cleaning agents, aerosol cans and all other chemical
substances shall be stored in a designated area in their original containers
and/ or clearly labeled.
(a)
School-age
children may use cleaning equipment, supplies, and cleaning agents with adult
supervision.
(b)
The cleaning equipment, supplies, and cleaning agents
may be accessible in spaces only used by school-age children.
(10) Mercury thermometers shall not be used.
(11)
Electrical outlets, including surge protectors, within the reach of children
shall have child proof receptacle covers when not in use unless designed with
safety guards, except for space used only by school-age children.
(12)
Renovations and remodeling to areas in which child care is provided shall be
conducted in a safe manner to ensure that lead poison hazards are not
introduced into the environment as required by Chapter 3742. of the Revised
Code.
(13) Unless toilets and sinks are of suitable height
for use by the children, the center shall provide a sturdy, nonslip platform on
which the children may stand.
(14) Lawnmowers,
sharp tools, machinery and other equipment shall not be used or stored where
children have access to them.
(15) All areas used
by children shall be ventilated and shall provide protection from rodents,
insects and other hazards.
(16) Aerosol spray
products shall not be used in rooms where children are in attendance.
(C) What are the regulations for
having pets in a licensed child care center?
(1) Pets and animals shall be permitted if
they present no apparent threat to the safety or health of the
children.
(2) All pets shall be
properly housed, cared for, licensed and inoculated. All local and state
ordinances governing the keeping of animals (exotic or domesticated) shall be
followed and updated as required. Verification of license and compliance with
local and state requirements and inoculations, for each pet requiring such
license or inoculations, or regulated by local or state government shall be on
file at the center.
(3) Children
shall not be directly exposed to animal urine or feces inside the program or in
the outdoor play area.