South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 114 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Article 5 - LICENSING
Subarticle 1 - DAY CARE FACILITIES
Section 114-509 - Infant and Toddler Care, Care for Mildly Ill Children, and Night Care

(a) Children shall not remain in their cribs or play equipment for other than sleeping and specific, short time-limited quiet play.

(b) Infants and toddlers shall be routinely held, talked to, rocked, caressed, carried, nurtured, read to, sung to and played with throughout the day.

(c) There shall be toys and materials that encourage and stimulate children through seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling and tasting.

(a) Staff shall provide appropriate attention to the needs of children.

(b) The daily program for infants and toddlers shall include goals for children, which promote healthy child development and allow for individual choice and exploration.

(c) Information about the child's daily needs and activities shall be shared with parents.

(a) Cups and bottles shall be labeled with the child's name and used only by that child.

(b) Infants shall be fed in accordance with the time schedule, specific food and beverage items and quantities as specified by the parent.

(c) Infants shall be held while being bottle fed until they are able to hold their own bottles. Bottles shall not be propped or given in cribs or on mats.

(d) Microwaving of breastmilk, formulas, or other beverages is prohibited. If used, crock pots, bottle warmers, or other electronic devices must be in an area not accessible to children.

(e) All warmed bottles shall be shaken well and the temperature tested before feeding to a child.

(f) Baby formula, juice, and food served in a bottle shall be prepared, ready to feed, identified, and packaged for single use for the appropriate user. Any excess formula, juice, or food shall be discarded after each feeding. Formula, juice and food requiring refrigeration shall be maintained at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

(g) Infants and toddlers shall not sleep with bottles in their mouths.

(h) Toddlers shall be offered water routinely throughout the day.

(i) Breast milk and formula shall be dated and labeled with the child's name and refrigerated until ready to use.

(j) Food for infants shall be cut in pieces one-quarter inch or less.

(k) Food for toddlers shall be cut in pieces one-half inch or less.

(a) Feeding chairs shall have a stable base.

(b) Feeding chairs shall have a T-shaped safety strap that prevents the child from slipping or climbing out of the chair. The safety strap shall be used at all times the child is in the chair.

(c) Feeding chair trays shall be in good repair and made of an easily cleanable surface and shall not have chips or cracks.

(d) Feeding chairs shall be used only for eating or a specific, short time-limited tabletop play activity.

(e) Seat heights of feeding chairs shall be appropriate to the age and development of the child. Feeding chairs shall be in good repair and children shall be constantly supervised.

(a) Infants shall be placed on their backs to sleep.

(b) Crib mobiles shall not be permitted for infants or toddlers who can sit.

(c) Cribs shall be spaced so that there is at least three feet of space on two sides of the crib. Cribs shall not be placed next to each other so that one child may reach into the other child's crib.

(d) Stacked cribs are not permitted.

(a) The infant and toddler room shall have chairs for staff persons to sit while holding and feeding children.

(b) Indoor space shall be protected from general walkways where crawling children may be on the floor.

(c) Mobile walkers are not permitted.

(a) If a child becomes ill while in care, the center shall notify the parent or responsible party immediately.

(b) If a child may have been exposed to a serious communicable disease that is spread through casual contact, the center shall notify the parents of all potentially exposed children about the nature of the illness and the potential exposure to the illness, and recommend consultation with the child's physician.

(c) If a center chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the center shall receive instructions from the parent for any special care needs of the child.

(a) If a center chooses to provide care to a mildly ill child, the center shall have written policies and procedures specifying inclusion and exclusion from the group, communication with parents, recording of illness and care provided, specific types of illnesses and symptoms which prohibit care from being provided, special staff training required and emergency health procedures.

(b) Children shall be excluded when they exhibit the conditions listed in the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Exclusion Policy, State Law 1976, Code Section 44-1-110, 44-1-140, and 44-29-10.

(c) If a child is in a rest area due to illness, the child shall be directly supervised at all times.

(d) A hand-washing sink shall be in close proximity to the area designated for mildly ill children.

(a) Staff counted in the staffing ratios shall be awake, alert and attentive to the children at all times.

(b) The supervision and ratio requirements for sleeping hours are the same as specified for napping in 114-504.C.

(a) Each child shall have a bed with a solid foundation, a fire retardant mattress, a pillow, and bedding appropriate for the temperature of the center.

(b) Cots and portable beds are not permitted.

(a) Children shall be provided the opportunity to read or be read to before bedtime.

(b) There shall be books, games, and other quiet time activities for the child prior to bedtime.

(c) Special bedtime routines as specified by the parent shall be followed to the extent feasible.

(a) If children bathe at the center, there shall be one bathtub or shower with a slip resistant surface for every ten children.

(b) Each child shall have his or her own clean towel and washcloth.

(a) The center shall make arrangements with the parent to provide clean, appropriate night clothes.