Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5101:2 - Division of Social Services
Chapter 5101:2-13 - Licensing Family Care Homes
Section 5101:2-13-20 - Sleeping and napping requirements for a licensed family child care provider

(1) The family child care provider shall provide a quiet space for children who want to rest, nap or sleep, including provider's own children.

(2) Nap and rest time shall be in accordance with the developmental needs of the child.

(3) Rest or nap areas shall be lighted to allow for visual supervision of all children at all times.

(4) Any child who does not fall asleep during a designated nap time shall have the opportunity to engage in quiet activities.

(5) Evacuation routes shall not be blocked by resting or napping children. Each child shall have a free and direct means of escape, and the provider shall have a clear path to each resting child.

(1) The family child care provider may assign cribs, playpens, beds, couches, cots or mats to individual children.

(2) An air mattress designed for overnight sleeping may be used. All manufacturer's warnings are to be followed. Air mattresses designed for use as flotation devices shall not be used for napping or sleeping.

(3) A mat is a pad that is at least one inch thick and at least as wide and long as the child using the mat.

(4) A cot shall stand at least three inches and not more than eighteen inches off the floor. The cot shall be firm enough to support the child, but shall be resilient under pressure. Each cot shall be at least thirty-six inches in length and at least as long as the child assigned to the cot is tall.

(5) No child shall be permitted to rest, nap or sleep on the floor without a mat, pad or cot.

(1) Unless the infant meets the requirements of paragraph (D) of this rule, each infant in attendance shall have a separate crib or playpen that meets the following requirements:

(2) Stacked cribs are prohibited.

(3) Bumper pads shall not be used.

(4) Nothing shall be placed or hung over the side that obstructs the provider's view of the infant.

(5) Infants shall not be placed in cribs with bibs or any other items which could pose a strangulation or suffocation risk.

(6) No blankets shall be in the crib or playpen for infants under twelve months old. A one-piece sleeper or wearable blanket is permitted. Only children who are not yet able to roll-over are permitted to be swaddled using a wearable swaddling blanket.

(7) The cribs or playpens may be placed in storage on the premises if not currently assigned to an infant.

(8) Infants shall be placed in their cribs or playpens for sleeping, and shall not be allowed to sleep in bassinets, swings, car seats or other equipment. If a medical condition exists where a child needs to sleep in equipment other than a crib or playpen, written permission shall be obtained from a physician and shall be on file.

(9) Infants under twelve months old shall be placed on their backs to sleep unless the parent provides written authorization on the JFS 01235 "Sleep Position Waiver Statement for Child Care" signed by the child's physician. The JFS 01235 shall be maintained on file for review and is valid for one year. Infants who are able to roll from back to front and front to back shall be placed initially on their back for sleeping but allowed to remain in a position they prefer.

(10) Cribs or playpens assigned to a child shall not be used for storage of toys and other materials.

(1) When the child is able to climb out of the crib or playpen.

(2) When the child reaches the height of thirty-five inches.

(3) An infant twelve months or older may use a cot, pad or mat with written permission from the parent.

(4) If the use of a crib or playpen is considered hazardous for a child, regardless of age, the infant may use a cot or mat with written permission from the parent.