Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.8271 - Child development

Rule 271.

(1) As used in this rule:
(a) "Confining equipment" means equipment used to assist in caring for infants, including, but not limited to, swings, stationary activity centers, infant seats, and molded seats.
(b) "Media" means use of electronic devices with a screen, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Televisions.
(ii) Computers.
(iii) Tablets.
(iv) Multi-touch screens.
(v) Interactive white boards.
(vi) Mobile devices.
(vii) Cameras.
(viii) Movie players.
(ix) E-book readers.
(x) Electronic game consoles.
(c) "Interactive media" means media designed to facilitate active and creative use by children and to encourage social engagement with other children and adults.
(d) "Non-interactive media" means media that is used passively by children.
(2) A center shall implement a child development program plan that includes daily learning experiences appropriate to the developmental level of the children. Experiences must be designed to develop all of the following, which are described in Michigan's early childhood standards of quality:
(a) Physical development.
(b) Social development.
(c) Emotional development.
(d) Cognitive development.
(e) Approaches to play and learning.
(3) The program must be planned to provide a flexible balance of all of the following experiences:
(a) Quiet and active.
(b) Individual and group.
(c) Large and small muscle.
(d) Child initiated and staff initiated.
(4) Developmentally appropriate experiences must be designed so that throughout the day each child has opportunities to do all of the following:
(a) Practice social interaction skills.
(b) Use materials and take part in activities that encourage creativity.
(c) Learn new ideas and skills.
(d) Participate in imaginative play.
(e) Participate in developmentally appropriate language and literacy experiences.
(f) Participate in early math and science experiences.
(g) Be physically active.
(5) A school-age child care center shall supplement the areas of development not regularly provided for during the school day.
(6) A typical daily routine must be made available to parents.
(7) If awake, use of confining equipment for infants must be minimized, not to exceed 30 minutes at a time.
(8) Tummy time is required daily for all infants under 12 months of age, and must meet all of the following requirements:
(a) Infants shall be directly supervised at all times while engaged in tummy time.
(b) Infants shall be healthy, awake, and alert during tummy time. If an infant falls asleep, the infant shall be immediately moved to a safe sleeping space.
(c) During tummy time, infants shall not be placed on or near soft surfaces, including, but not limited to, cushions, pillows, or padded mats.
(d) A parent may request in writing an exemption for their infant from tummy time. The request must be maintained in the child's file.
(9) Use of media is prohibited for children under 2 years of age.
(10) If media are used with children 2 years of age and older, all of the following apply:
(a) Activities must be developmentally appropriate.
(b) Interactive media must be used to support learning and to expand children's access to content and be suitable to the age of the child in terms of content and length of use per session.
(c) Media with violent or adult content are prohibited while children are in care.
(d) Use of non-interactive media must not exceed 2 hours per week per child.
(e) If media are available for children's use, other activities must also be available to children.
(11) An exception to the requirements of subrule (10)(d) of this rule may be made under the following conditions:
(a) School-age children using computers and other electronic devices for academic and educational purposes.
(b) Children using assistive and adaptive technology.
(12) For children with special needs, care must be provided according to the child's needs as identified by parents, medical personnel, or other relevant professionals.
(13) Parents may visit the center during hours of operation for the purpose of observing their children.
(14) Outdoor nature-based child care centers shall utilize developmentally appropriate techniques to teach children about boundaries and self-regulation for outdoor play.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.8271
2025 MR 10, Eff. 5/7/2025
An obvious error in R 400.8271 was corrected at the request of the promulgating agency, pursuant to Section 56 of 1969 PA 306, as amended by 2000 PA 262, MCL 24.256. The rule containing the error was published in Michigan Register, 2025 MR 10. The memorandum requesting the correction was published in Michigan Register, 2025 MR 11.

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