PDFWAC 110-300-0175

Water hazards and swimming pools.

To prevent injury or drowning and ensure the health and safety of children, an early learning provider must comply with the requirements described in this section.
(1) The following bodies of water must be inaccessible to children in care by using a physical barrier with a locking mechanism in compliance with WAC 246-260-031(4):
(a) Swimming pools when not being used as part of the early learning program;
(b) Ponds, lakes, storm retention ponds, ditches, fountains, fish ponds, landscape pools, or similar bodies of water; and
(c) Uncovered wells, septic tanks, wastewater, wastewater tanks, below grade storage tanks, farm manure ponds, or other similar hazards.
(2) Hot tubs and similar equipment must be made inaccessible by using a physical barrier with a locking mechanism.
(3) An early learning provider must comply with the following requirements when using a swimming pool as part of the early learning program:
(a) Comply with the supervision requirements of WAC 110-300-0350;
(b) Audible alarms must be on all doors, screens, and gates in licensed areas that lead to a swimming pool. The alarm must be sufficient to warn staff when children enter the outdoor area and could access the swimming pool;
(c) Swimming pools must be maintained according to manufacturer specifications;
(d) Swimming pools must be cleaned and sanitized according to manufacturer instructions, chapter 246-260 WAC, and department of health or local health jurisdiction guidelines;
(e) A swimming pool must not be used if the main drain cover is missing; and
(f) Children in diapers or toilet training must wear swim pants to lower the risk of contaminating the water.
(4) Filtered wading pools must be inaccessible to children when not in use. Wading pools that do not have a filtering system are not permitted in the early learning program space.
(5) For bodies of water not located in early learning program space, but that are in close proximity, a physical barrier on the property must make such bodies of water inaccessible to children in care.
(6) Five gallon buckets or other similar containers must not be used for infant or toddler water play.
(7) If an early learning provider uses water tables or similar containers, the tables or containers must be emptied and sanitized daily, or more often if necessary.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.216.065. WSR 21-15-023, § 110-300-0175, filed 7/12/21, effective 8/12/21. WSR 18-15-001, recodified as § 110-300-0175, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070, 43.215.201 and chapter 42.56 RCW. WSR 18-14-079, § 170-300-0175, filed 6/30/18, effective 8/1/19.]