PDFWAC 110-148-1470

What are the general requirements for bedrooms?

(1) Each child must have a bedroom, approved by the licensor, with privacy and space that is appropriate and adequate to meet the child's developmental needs. Children may share bedrooms, in compliance with WAC 110-148-1475.
(2) Each bedroom must have unrestricted direct access to outdoors, as well as, one direct access to common use areas such as hallways, corridors, living rooms, day rooms, or other such common use areas.
(3) You must not use hallways, kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, unfinished basements, or other common areas as bedrooms.
(4) Children must not be required to pass through private bedroom space in order to access common areas of the home.
(5) An adult must be on the same floor or within easy hearing distance and access to where children under six years of age are sleeping.
(6) You must provide an appropriately sized separate bed for each child with clean bedding and a mattress in good condition.
(7) Some children may soil the bed, and you may need to plan accordingly. You must provide waterproof mattress covers or moisture-resistant mattresses if needed. Each child's pillow must be covered with waterproof material or be washable.
(8) You must assure that children have access to clean clothing that is appropriate for their age. You must provide safe storage of children's clothing and personal possessions.
(9) You must provide an infant with a crib that ensures the safety of the infant, and complies with chapter 70.111 RCW and the current ASTM or consumer products safety commission (CPSC) guidelines, specifically 16 C.F.R. 1219 or 1220. Among other things, these requirements include:
(a) A maximum of 2 3/8" between vertical slats of the crib; and
(b) Cribs, infant beds, bassinets, and playpens must be made of wood, metal, or approved plastic, with secure latching devices and clean, firm, snug-fitting mattresses covered with waterproof material that can easily be disinfected.
(10) You must not cosleep or bed share on any sleeping surface, such as a bed, sofa, or chair with children in care.
(11) You must place infants on their backs for sleeping, unless advised differently by the child's licensed health care provider.
(12) You must not have loose blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, or stuffed toys with a sleeping infant.
(13) You may swaddle infants using one lightweight blanket upon the advice and training of a licensed health care provider. You must keep the blanket loose around the hips and legs when swaddling in order to avoid hip dysplasia. You may swaddle infants under two months of age unless a licensed health care provider directs otherwise. You must not dress a swaddled infant in a manner that allows them to overheat.
(14) You must not use wedges and positioners with a sleeping infant unless advised differently by the infant's licensed health care provider.
(15) You must not use weighted blankets for children under three years of age or for children of any age with mobility limitations.
(16) You may use a weighted blanket upon the advice and training from a licensed health care provider for children over the age of three years who do not have mobility limitations. You must meet the following requirements:
(a) The weight of the blanket must not exceed 10 percent of the child's body weight;
(b) Metal beads are choking hazards and must not be used in a weighted blanket;
(c) You must not cover the child's head with a weighted blanket or place it above the middle of the child's chest;
(d) The weighted blanket must not hinder a child's movement; and
(e) The weighted blanket must not be used as a restraint.
(17) You must not allow children to use the loft style beds or upper bunks if the child is vulnerable due to age, development, or condition, such as preschool children, expectant mothers, and children with a disability.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. WSR 22-11-091, § 110-148-1470, filed 5/18/22, effective 6/18/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030, chapter 74.15 RCW, P.L. 115-123 and 42 U.S.C. § 671 (a)(36)(A). WSR 20-03-095, § 110-148-1470, filed 1/13/20, effective 2/1/20. WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-148-1470, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, and 74.13.031. WSR 17-22-039, § 388-148-1470, filed 10/24/17, effective 11/24/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, 74.13.031, and P.L. 113-183. WSR 16-17-101, § 388-148-1470, filed 8/19/16, effective 9/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 13.34 and 74.13 RCW, RCW 74.15.030(2), 74.15.311(2), 74.13.032, 13.04.011, 74.13.020, 13.34.030, 74.13.031, 13.34.145, 74.15.311, 74.15.030, and 2013 c 105. WSR 15-01-069, § 388-148-1470, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.]