(1) An early learning program may care for infants if the department inspects the program space and approves care for infants:

(a) Prior to issuing the program its license; or

(b) Prior to caring for infants if the program has not previously done so.

(2) An early learning provider working directly with infants must complete the department required infant safe sleep training pursuant to WAC 110-300-0106(8).

(3) An early learning provider must not use or allow the use of wheeled baby walkers.

(4) A center early learning provider licensed to care for any infant must employ or contract with a child care health consultant to provide health consultation to support the practices of staff working with infants and to support the needs of individual infants.

(5) A center early learning provider must enter into a department approved written agreement for services with a child care health consultant.

(a) The child care health consultant must be a currently licensed registered nurse who:

(i) Has worked in pediatrics or public health in the past five years or has taken or taught classes in pediatric nursing at the college level in the past five years;

(ii) Has experience with state licensing and public health requirements; and

(iii) Attests in writing to knowledge and experience sufficient to provide service consistent with the health consultant competencies described in the most current version of Caring for Our Children.

(b) The child care health consultant must be available, or make available a designee who meets the requirements of (a) of this subsection, for consultation by phone as needed.

(6) A center early learning provider must ensure that the child care health consultant:

(a) Conducts at least one on-site visit monthly, if an infant is enrolled, during which the consultant:

(i) Observes and assesses staff knowledge of infant health, development, and safety and offers support through training, consultation, or referral;

(ii) Observes and assesses classroom health practices including, but not limited to, infection control including cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and provides technical assistance to correct any practices of concern;

(iii) Observes and assesses behavior, development, and health status of individual infants in care and makes recommendations to staff or parents or guardians including if further assessment is recommended, as requested or otherwise determined appropriate.

(b) Provides a dated, signed, written summary to the early learning provider for each visit that includes topics discussed with parents or staff, any areas of concern related to discussion, observation, assessment, or screening outcomes; and

(c) Reports each visit to the department.

(7) A center early learning provider must keep on-site a copy of the child care health consultant's written reports along with any notes, recommended follow up, and any actions taken to address concerns identified.

(8) If a center early learning provider is unable to independently employ or contract with a child care health consultant within thirty calendar days of enrolling an infant, the provider must contact the department for assistance. The department will assist the provider in obtaining the services of a child care health consultant or may grant a waiver until the services can be secured.