Wis. Admin. Code Department of Children and Families DCF 57.37 - Additional requirements for care of children 6 years of age or younger
(1)
APPLICABILITY. If a group home is licensed under s.
DCF
57.51 or approved under s.
DCF
57.515 to admit children under 6 years of age as
residents or if the group home provides care to a resident who is the custodial
parent of a child under the age of 6, the group home shall meet the additional
requirements of this section.
(2)
DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) "Infant"
means a child under one year of age.
(b) "Toddler" means a child at least one year
of age but less than 2 years of age.
(c) "SIDS" means Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome.
(3) TREATMENT
PLAN. A treatment plan is not required for children of residents. The treatment
plan developed under s.
DCF
57.23(2) for a resident under 6 years
of age shall include:
(a) Schedule of meals
and feeding and types of food introduced.
(b) Toileting and diapering
procedures.
(c) Sleep and nap
schedule.
(d) Communication methods
and comforting techniques.
(e)
Developmental history.
(f) Medical
history and medication management.
(4) STAFF TRAINING. Each staff member who
provides care to a child under this section shall successfully complete at
least 10 hours of training in infant and toddler care; at least 40 hours or 3
credits of early childhood training and training in infant and child CPR within
6 months after beginning employment, unless the staff member has previously
received such training and certification is current. The training in infant and
toddler care shall include instruction on SIDS risk reduction and shall be
approved by the department.
(5)
DIAPERING. Wet or soiled diapers and clothing shall be changed promptly. Each
child shall be changed on a surface that is cleaned with soap and water and a
disinfectant solution after each use. Soiled diapers shall be placed in a
plastic-lined, covered container, which shall be emptied, washed and
disinfected daily.
(6) FURNISHINGS
AND BEDDING.
(a) Each child shall be provided
with a bassinet, crib, or bed that is safe and appropriate to the needs of the
child. Cribs shall have crib slats that are securely fastened in place and are
spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Crib mattresses shall fit snugly.
Bassinets and cribs shall be washed and disinfected between changes in
occupancy. The top bunk of a bunk bed shall not be used for a child under 4
years of age. The top bunk shall have a safety rail if occupied by a child
under 8 years of age.
(b) Pillows
and sheepskins shall not be used with infants.
(c) The group home shall provide eating
utensils and cups, infant seats, high chairs, car seats, strollers, rocking
chairs, tables and seating and other furnishings and equipment appropriate for
size and developmental level and the needs of children under 6 years of
age.
(7) SAFETY
MEASURES.
(a) Strings and cords long enough
to encircle a child's neck shall not be accessible to children.
(b) When infants and toddlers are present,
open stairways shall be protected at the top and bottom with child safety
gates. Gates shall have latching devices that adults can open easily in an
emergency. Pressure gates or accordion gates shall not be used.
(c) Steam radiators, fireplaces, wood-burning
stoves, electric fans, electric outlets, electric heating units and hot
surfaces, such as pipes, shall be protected by screens or guards.
(d) Differences of elevation, including
platforms, walkways, balconies and open sides of stairways shall be protected
by railing at least 36 inches in height and with bars no greater than 4 inches
apart.
(8) WATER. If an
infant under 6 months old is in care, the annual test of private well water
required under s.
DCF 57.40(3) (a)
2., shall include testing for nitrate levels.
If nitrate levels are determined to be over 10 milligrams per liter, the
licensee shall give notice to the department field office that serves the group
home within 48 hours.
(9) NUTRITION
AND FEEDING.
(a) Food shall be available to
infants and toddlers in accordance with the meal patterns consistent with those
specified in Appendices B and C, as applicable.
(b) If a microwave is used to heat or prepare
food, procedures for heating and cooking infant formula, milk, or food in a
microwave oven shall be posted near the microwave.
(c) Bottles shall not be propped. A child
unable to hold a bottle shall be held whenever a bottle is given.
(d) Infants and toddlers shall not be put to
bed with a bottle.
(10)
MEDICAL CARE. Each child shall receive routine physical examinations and
immunizations pursuant to s.
252.04, Stats., and ch. DHS 144,
by a licensed medical professional.
Notes
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