WSR 19-22-103
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
[Filed November 6, 2019, 11:56 a.m., effective December 7, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: For early learning child care programs:
Allow five years from the date of hire or promotion for a new child care center director, assistant director, or program supervisor to satisfy education requirements in accordance with Directive of the Governor 19-05;
Disallow a philosophical or personal objection to exempt a child enrolled in a day care center from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (implementing chapter 362, Laws of 2019);
Require staff and volunteers on child care center premises to have received a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine or show proof of immunity and require centers to keep these records for each staff member and volunteer (implementing chapter 362, Laws of 2019);
Align child care sanitization requirements with the state department of health's recommendations;
Ensure all classes protected under both the state and federal constitutions are identified in child care nondiscrimination requirements;
Clarify that child care licensing waivers will be granted at the deparment of children, youth, and families' discretion; and
Make nonsubstantive amendments to improve readability.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-300-0005, 110-300-0016, 110-300-0020, 110-300-0030, 110-300-0100, 110-300-0107, 110-300-0115, 110-300-0120, 110-300-0205, 110-300-0335, 110-300-0420, 110-300-0470, 110-300-0475, 110-305-2050; 110-305-2325, 110-305-3250, and 110-305-3300.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.216.055, 43.216.065 and 43.216.250; chapter 43.216 RCW.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 19-17-052 on August 16, 2019.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version:
WAC 110-300-0120(3) revised as requested by Washington state department of health to better align with chapter 362, Laws of 2019; and
WAC 110-300-0205 revised as follows:
ºRingworm inserted in subsection (5)(f) to better clarify child care requirements for ringworm-related exclusion and readmittance; and
ºListed in replaced by pursuant to in subsections (6) and (8).
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 7, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 8, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 6, 2019.
Brenda Villarreal
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)
WAC 110-300-0005Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this chapter:
"Accessible to children" means items, areas or materials of an early learning program that a child can reasonably reach, enter, use, or get to on their own.
"Accommodations" means program curriculum and instruction, activities, spaces, and materials that have been adapted to help children and adults with special need function within their surroundings.
"Active supervision" or "actively supervise" means a heightened standard of care beyond supervision. This standard requires an early learning provider to see and hear the children they are responsible for during higher risk activities. The provider must be able to prevent or instantly respond to unsafe or harmful events.
"ADA" refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act, as now and hereafter amended.
"Aide" is a person who offers support to the early learning program staff.
"Allergy" or "allergies" refers to an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people. During an allergic reaction, the body's immune system treats the substance or "allergen" as an invader. The body overreacts by releasing chemicals that may cause symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to life threatening. Common allergens include certain foods (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, common tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans) pollen, mold, or medication.
"Annual" means the calendar year, January 1st through December 31st.
"Applicant" means an individual who has made a formal request for a child care license, certification, exemption, or portable background check.
"Appropriate" when used to refer to child care or educational materials means that the materials will interest and challenge children in terms of their ages and abilities.
"Appropriately" means correct or properly suited for a particular situation.
"Assistant director" is a person responsible for the overall management of the center early learning program including the facility and operations.
"Assistant teacher" is a person whose work is to assist a lead teacher or licensee in providing instructional supports to children and implementing a developmentally appropriate program. The assistant must carry out assigned tasks under the supervision of a lead teacher, program supervisor, director, assistant director, or licensee.
"ASTM" refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials.
"Bathroom" means a room containing a built-in, flush-type toilet.
"Bias" means a tendency to believe that some people or ideas are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly.
"Body of water" or "bodies of water" is a natural area or human-made area or device that contains or holds a depth of more than two inches of water. Examples include swimming pools, ditches, canals, fish ponds, water retention areas, excavations, and quarries.
"CACFP" means the Child and Adult Care Food Program established by Congress and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
"Cannabis" (also known as "marijuana") refers to all parts of the cannabis plant, whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the resin or concentrate extracted from any part of the plant and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin.
"Capacity" means the maximum number of children an early learning provider is authorized by the department to have in care at any given time. This includes any children on-site at the early learning program and any children in transit to or from the program or other activities such as field trips while the children are signed in to the care of the program.
"Center early learning program" is a facility providing regularly scheduled care for a group of children birth through twelve years of age for periods of less than twenty-four hours a day, pursuant to RCW 43.216.010 (1)(a) (child day care center).
"Center early learning program licensee" or "center licensee" means an entity licensed and authorized by the department to operate a center early learning program.
"Certificate of exemption (COE)" means a form that is approved by the Washington state department of health and consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-105-050(2), or an immunization form produced by the state immunization information system.
"Certificate of immunization status (child)" means a form that is approved by the Washington state department of health and consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-105-050(1), or an immunization form produced by the state immunization information system.
"Certification" means department approval of a person, home, or facility that is exempt from licensing but requests evidence that the program meets these foundational licensing standards.
"Child" means an individual who is younger than age thirteen, including any infant, toddler, preschool-age child, or school-age child as defined in this chapter.
"Child abuse" or "neglect" means the physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person as defined in RCW 26.44.020.
"Child care" refers to supervision of children outside the child's home for periods of less than twenty-four hours a day.
"Child care basics" or "CCB" means curriculum designed to meet the initial basic training requirement for early learning program staff working in licensed or certified programs in Washington state. It serves as a broad introduction for professionals who are pursuing a career in the early care and education field.
"Chromated copper arsenate" or "CCA" is a wood preservative and insecticide that contains roughly twenty-two percent arsenic, a known carcinogen. The United States restricted the use of CCA on residential lumber in 2003, but it can still be found on older decks and playground equipment. Information about the health hazards of arsenic can be found on the department of health's website.
"Clean" or "cleaning" means to remove dirt and debris from a surface by scrubbing and washing with a detergent solution and rinsing with water. This process must be accomplished before sanitizing or disinfecting a surface.
"Confidential" means the protection of personal information, such as the child's records, from individuals who are not authorized to see or hear the information.
"Consistent care" means providing steady opportunities for children to build emotionally secure relationships by primarily interacting with a limited number of early learning program staff.
"Contagious disease" means an illness caused by an infectious agent of public health concern which can be transmitted from one person, animal, or object to another person by direct or indirect means including transmission through an intermediate host or vector, food, water, or air. Contagious diseases pertinent to this chapter are described in WAC 246-110-010.
"Continuous" means without interruptions, gaps, or stopping.
"Core competencies" are standards required by the department that detail what early learning providers need to know and are able to do to provide quality care and education for children and their families.
"CPSC" means the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"Cultural" or "culturally" means in a way that relates to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of different societies.
"Curriculum philosophy" means a written statement of principles developed by an early learning provider to form the basis of the learning program of activities, including age appropriate developmental learning objectives for children.
"DCYF" or "the department" refers to the Washington state department of children, youth, and families.
"Developmental screening" is the use of standardized tools to identify a child at risk of a developmental delay or disorder. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthy Child Care America, 2009).
"Developmentally appropriate" means:
(a) An early learning provider interacts with each child in a way that recognizes and respects the child's chronological and developmental age;
(b) Knowledge about how children grow and learn;
(c) Reflects the developmental level of the individual child; and
(d) Interactions and activities are planned with the developmental needs of the individual child in mind.
"Director" means the person responsible for the overall management of a center early learning program including the facility and operation.
"Disability" or "disabilities" has the same meaning in this chapter as in RCW 49.60.040(7), the Washington law against discrimination.
"Discipline" means a method used to redirect a child in order to achieve a desired behavior.
"Disinfect" means to eliminate virtually all germs from an inanimate surface by the process of cleaning and rinsing, followed by:
(a) The application of a fragrance-free chlorine bleach and water solution following the ((manufacturer's instructions))department of health's current guidelines for mixing bleach solutions for child care and similar environments; or
(b) The application of other disinfectant products registered with the EPA, if used strictly according to the manufacturer's label instructions including, but not limited to, quantity, time the product must be left in place, adequate time to allow the product to dry or rinsing if applicable, and appropriateness for use on the surface to be disinfected. Any disinfectant used on food contact surfaces or toys must be labeled "safe for food contact surfaces."
"Disinfectant" means a chemical or physical process that kills bacteria and viruses.
"Drinking water" or "potable water" is water suitable for drinking by the public as determined by the Washington state department of health or a local health jurisdiction.
"Dual language learners" refers to children who are learning two or more languages at the same time. This term includes children who learn two or more languages from birth, and children who are still mastering their home language when they are introduced to and start learning a second language. (Source: The Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines.)
"Early achievers" is a statewide system of high-quality early learning that connects families to early learning programs with the help of an easy to understand rating system and offers coaching, professional development, and resources for early learning providers to support each child's learning and development.
"Early childhood education (ECE) initial certificate" (twelve quarter credits) is Washington's initial certificate in early childhood education and serves as the point of entry for a career in early learning and covers foundational content for early learning professionals.
"Early childhood education (ECE) short certificate" (initial certificate plus eight quarter credits) is Washington's short certificate in early childhood education and offers areas of specialization, building on the state's initial certificate.
"Early childhood education (ECE) state certificate" (short certificate plus twenty-seven quarter credits) is Washington's state certificate in early childhood education and is the benchmark for Level 2 core competencies for early care and education professionals and prepares for the next step, an associate's degree in early childhood education.
"Early learning program" refers to regularly scheduled care for a group of children birth through twelve years of age for periods of less than twenty-four hours, licensed by the department.
"Early learning program space" means the licensed indoor and outdoor space on the premises approved by the department for the purpose of providing licensed child care.
"Early learning program staff" refers to all persons who work, substitute, or volunteer in an early learning program during hours when children are or may be present, excluding licensees.
"Early learning provider" or "provider" refers to an early learning licensee or designee who works in an early learning program during hours when children are or may be present. Designees include center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, assistants, aides, and volunteers.
"ECEAP" or "early childhood education and assistance program" is a comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to eligible children and their families.
"Electronic record" means a record generated, communicated, received or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another.
"Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic form attached to or logically associated with an electronic record including, but not limited to, a digital signature. An electronic signature is a paperless way to sign a document using an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a record, and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
"Electronic workforce registry" refers to the Washington state department of children, youth, and families' current database of professional records of individual early learning providers.
"Emergency preparedness" means a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination in case of emergencies or during incident response.
"Enforcement action" means denial, suspension, revocation, modification, or nonrenewal of a license pursuant to RCW 43.216.325(3). An early learning provider may contest enforcement actions and seek an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to chapter 110-03 WAC.
"EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Equivalency" when referring to staff qualifications means an individual is allowed to meet the requirements of this chapter through a department recognized alternative credential, or demonstration of competency, that indicates similar knowledge as the named credential.
"Exempt" or "exemption"((in regards))means, as applied to immunizations ((means)), a type of immunization status ((approved by the Washington state department of health)) where a child has not been fully immunized against one or more vaccine preventable diseases required by chapter 246-105 WAC for full immunization due to medical, religious, philosophical or personal reasons. Under chapter 362, Laws of 2019, if a child plans on attending or is attending a center early learning program, a philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
"Expel" or "expulsion" means to end a child's enrollment in an early learning program. An early learning provider will end a child's enrollment if the provider is unable to meet a child's needs due to the child's challenging behavior.
"Family home early learning program" means an early learning program licensed by the department where a family home licensee provides child care or education services for twelve or fewer children in the family living quarters where the licensee resides as provided in RCW 43.216.010 (1)(c) (family day care provider).
"Family home early learning program licensee" or "family home licensee" means an individual licensee authorized by the department to operate a family home early learning program within the licensee's family living quarters.
"Family living quarters" means a family home licensee or applicant's residence and other spaces or building on the premises.
"Food worker card" means a food and beverage service worker's permit as required under chapter 69.06 RCW.
"Foundational quality standards" refers to the administrative and regulatory requirements contained within this chapter. These standards are designed to promote the development, health, and safety of children enrolled in center and family home early learning programs. The department uses these standards to equitably serve children, families, and early learning providers throughout Washington state.
"Good repair" means about eighty percent of materials and components are unbroken, have all their pieces, and can be used by children as intended by the manufacturer or builder.
"Health care provider" means a person who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized by the law of Washington state to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.
"Household member" means one or more individuals who live in the same dwelling or share living arrangements, and may consist of family relatives or other groups of people.
"Immunization" is the process of administering a vaccine to make a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease.
"Inaccessible to children" means a method to prevent a child from reaching, entering, using, or getting to items, areas, or materials of an early learning program.
"Inactive" when used by the department to indicate a licensing status, means early learning providers who have requested and have been approved to temporarily cease caring for children and close their early learning program.
"Individual care plan" means a specific plan to meet the individual needs of a child with a food allergy, special dietary requirement due to a health condition, other special needs, or circumstances.
"Infant" is a child birth through eleven months of age.
"In-service training" means professional development requirements for continuing education delivered or approved by the department to maintain staff standards and qualifications while employed as an early learning provider.
"Internal review process" has the same meaning in this chapter as in RCW 43.216.395, as now or hereafter amended.
"Lead teacher" means an early learning provider who works as the lead staff person in charge of a child or group of children and implements activity programs.
"License" means a permit issued by the department legally authorizing an applicant to operate an early learning program.
"Licensed space" means the indoor and outdoor space on the premises approved by the department for the purpose of providing licensed child care.
"Licensee" means an individual or legal entity listed on a license issued by the department, authorized to provide child care or early learning services in a center or family home setting.
"Lockdown" means restricted to an interior room with few or no windows while the facility or building is secured from a threat.
"Locking mechanism" means a lock that requires a key, tumbler, dial, passcode, touchpad, or similar device or method to lock and unlock.
"Modification" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to change the conditions identified on a licensee's current license.
"Nonexpiring license" means a license that is issued to an early learning provider following the initial licensing period, pursuant to chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Operating hours" means the hours listed in an early learning program parent handbook when the program is open and providing care and services to children.
"Parent" or "guardian" means birth parent, custodial parent, foster parent, legal guardian or those authorized by the parent or entity legally responsible for the welfare of the child.
"Peer interaction" refers to relationships children have with one another, which includes how infants and toddlers play near one another and how preschoolers play together, communicate, and whether they fight or get along.
"Personal needs" means an early learning provider's toileting or medication needs. Personal needs do not include smoking or use of tobacco products, illegal drug use or misuse or prescription drugs, conducting business or related activities, sleeping or napping, screen time, or leaving children in care unattended.
"Pest" means an animal, plant, or insect that has a harmful effect on humans, food, or living conditions.
"Pesticide" refers to chemicals used to kill pests.
"Pet" means a domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure.
"Physical barrier" means a nonclimbable fence or a wall that is at least five feet tall and has no openings greater than two inches or a gate or door that allows entry to and exit from a body of water and has the following requirements in addition to those already listed: A locking mechanism, a self-closing or self-latching device, and a device used to open the locks which is inaccessible to children but readily available to staff.
"Physical restraint" means holding a child as gently as possible for the minimum amount of time necessary to control a situation where that child's safety or the safety of others is threatened.
"Poison" includes, but is not limited to, substances, chemicals, chemical compounds (other than naturally occurring compounds such as water or salt), or similar items that even in small quantities, are likely to cause injury or illness if it is swallowed or comes into contact with a child's skin, eyes, mouth, or mucus membranes.
"Premises" means the licensed and unlicensed space at the licensed address including, but not limited to, buildings, land, and residences.
"Preschool-age children" means children thirty months through six years of age not attending kindergarten or elementary school.
"Preservice training" means professional development standards or requirements for early learning program staff prior to hiring or within a department specified time frame and delivered or approved by the department.
"Private septic system" means a septic system as defined in chapter 246-272A WAC that is not connected to a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system as defined in chapter 246-272B WAC. A private septic system includes, but is not limited to, the septic system's drain field and tanks.
"Probationary license" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.216.010(23).
"Professional development support plan" is a formal means by which an individual who is supervising staff sets out the goals, strategies, and outcomes of learning and training.
"Program supervisor" means the center early learning provider responsible for planning and supervising the learning and activity program.
"RCW" means the Revised Code of Washington.
"Readily available" means able to be used or obtained quickly and easily.
"Revocation" or "revoke" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to close an early learning program and permanently remove the license.
"Routine care" means typical or usual care provided to a child during the time the child is enrolled in the early learning program (for example: Feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, resting, playing, and learning).
"Safe route" means a way or course taken to get from a starting point to a destination that is protected from danger or risk.
"Safety plan" means a written plan to implement program changes to bring an early learning program into compliance with this chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW. Safety plans are developed at meetings involving at least an early learning provider and a department licensor and supervisor. Safety plans detail changes the provider needs to make to mitigate the risk of direct and indirect harm to children enrolled in the early learning program. Program changes ((shall))must be agreed to in writing and signed by all participants at the meeting. Safety plans expire thirty calendar days after being signed by all parties. Safety plans may only be extended for an additional thirty days and extensions may only be authorized by a department supervisor.
"Sanitize" means to reduce the number of microorganisms on a surface by the process of:
(a) Cleaning and rinsing with water at a high temperature pursuant to this chapter; or
(b) Cleaning and rinsing, followed by using:
(i) A fragrance-free chlorine bleach and water solution following the ((manufacturer's instructions))department of health's current guidelines for mixing bleach solutions for child care and similar environments; or
(ii) Other sanitizer product if it is registered with the EPA and used strictly according to manufacturer's label instructions including, but not limited to, quantity used, time the product must be left in place, adequate time to allow the product to dry, and appropriateness for use on the surface to be sanitized. If used on food contact surfaces or toys, a sanitizer product must be labeled as "safe for food contact surfaces."
"School-age children" means a child not less than five years of age through twelve years of age who is attending kindergarten or elementary school.
"Screen time" means watching, using, or playing television, computer, video games, video or DVD players, mobile communication devices, or similar devices.
"Serious injury" means an injury resulting in an overnight hospital stay; a severe neck or head injury; choking or serious unexpected breathing problems; severe bleeding; shock or an acute confused state; sudden unconsciousness; dangerous chemicals in eyes, on skin, or ingested; near drowning; one or more broken bones; a severe burn requiring professional medical care; poisoning; or an overdose of a chemical substance.
"Shelter in place" means staff and children staying at the facility due to an external threat such as a storm, chemical or gas leak or explosion, or other event that prohibits the occupants from safely leaving the facility.
"Sign" means an individual formally placing their name or legal mark on a document by physical signature or electronic signature.
"Sleeping equipment" includes a bed, cot, mattress, mat, crib, bassinet, play yard or "pack and play" but does not include a car seat or infant swing.
"Special needs" is a term used for children who require assistance due to learning difficulties, physical disability, or emotional and behavioral difficulties and who have documentation in the form of an individual educational plan (IEP), individual health plan (IHP), 504 plan, or an individualized family service plan (IFSP).
"Staff" means any early learning provider providing care in the early learning program.
"Strengthening families program self-assessment" refers to a research informed approach to increase family strengths, enhanced child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs, and communities in building five protective factors:
(a) Parental resilience;
(b) Social connections;
(c) Knowledge of parenting and child development;
(d) Concrete support in times of need; and
(e) Social and emotional competence of children.
"Supervise" or "supervision" means an early learning provider must be able to see or hear the children they are responsible for at all times. Early learning providers must use their knowledge of each child's development and behavior to anticipate what may occur to prevent unsafe or unhealthy events or conduct, or to intervene in such circumstances as soon as possible. Early learning providers must also reposition themselves or the children to be aware of where children are and what they are doing during care. An early learning provider must reassess and adjust their supervision each time child care activities change. See "active supervision" for a heightened standard of care.
"Suspend" when used in reference to an early learning provider's licensing status, means an enforcement action by the department to temporarily stop a license in order to protect the health, safety, or welfare of enrolled children or the public.
"Swimming pool" means a pool that has a water depth greater than two feet (24 inches).
"Technical assistance" means a service provided to early learning providers by department staff or a contracted third party. The goal of technical assistance is to offer guidance, information, and resources to help a provider fully comply with the licensing requirements of this chapter and chapter 43.216 RCW.
"Toddler" means a child twelve months through twenty-nine months of age.
"Transition" is the process or period of time to change from one activity, place, grade level, or sleeping arrangement to another.
"Tummy time" means placing an infant in a nonrestrictive prone position, lying on his or her stomach when not in sleeping equipment.
(("Transition" is the process or period of time to change from one activity, place, grade level, or sleeping arrangement to another.))
"Unlicensed space" means the indoor and outdoor areas of the premises not approved by the department as licensed space that the early learning provider must make inaccessible to the children during child care hours.
"Unsupervised access" as used throughout this chapter has the same meaning as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"Usable space" means the areas that are available at all times for use by children in an early learning program and meets licensing requirements.
"USDA" means the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(("Usable space" means the areas that are available at all times for use by children in an early learning program and meets licensing requirements.))
"Vapor product" means any:
(a) Device that employs a battery or other mechanism to heat a solution or substance to produce a vapor or aerosol intended for inhalation;
(b) Cartridge or container of a solution or substance intended to be used with or in such a device or to refill such a device; or
(c) Solution or substance intended for use in such a device including, but not limited to, concentrated nicotine, nonnicotine substances, or supplemental flavorings. This includes any electronic cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigars, electronic cigarillos, electronic pipes, hookahs, steam stones, vape pens, or similar products or devices, as well as any parts that can be used to build such products or services. "Vapor product" does not include any drug, device, or combination product approved for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration that is marketed and sold for such approved purpose.
"Variance" is an official approval by the department to allow an early learning program to achieve the outcome of a rule or rules in this chapter in an alternative way than described due to the needs of a unique or specific program approach or methodology. The department ((must))may grant a request for variance if the proposed alternative provides clear and convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all enrolled children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have the right to appeal the department's disapproval of request for variance under chapter 110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a variance disapproval on a department form.
"Volunteer" includes any person who provides labor or services to an early learning provider but is not compensated with employment pay or benefits. A volunteer must never have unsupervised access to a child unless the volunteer is the parent or guardian of that child or is an authorized person pursuant to WAC 110-300-0345 (1)(c). "Unsupervised access" has the same meaning here as in WAC 110-06-0020.
"WAC" means the Washington Administrative Code.
"Wading pool" means a pool that has a water depth of less than two feet (24 inches).
"Waiver" is an official approval by the department allowing an early learning provider not to meet or satisfy a rule in this chapter due to specific needs of the program or an enrolled child. The department ((must))may grant a request for waiver if the proposed waiver provides clear and convincing evidence that the health, welfare, and safety of all enrolled children is not jeopardized. An early learning provider does not have the right to appeal the department's disapproval of a waiver request under chapter 110-03 WAC. The provider may challenge a waiver disapproval on a department form.
"Walking independently" means an individual is able to stand and move easily without the aid or assistance of holding on to an object, wall, equipment, or another individual.
"Washington state early learning and development guidelines" refers to guidelines published by the department, the Washington state office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI), and thrive Washington for children birth through third grade that outlines what children know and are able to do at different stages of their development.
"Water activities" means early learning program activities in which enrolled children swim or play in a body of water that poses a risk of drowning for children. Water activities do not include using sensory tables.
"Weapon" means an instrument or device of any kind that is used or designed to be used to inflect harm including, but not limited to, rifles, handguns, shotguns, antique firearms, knives, swords, bows and arrows, BB guns, pellet guns, air rifles, electronic or other stun devices, or fighting implements.
"Written food plan" is a document designed to give alternative food to a child in care because of a child's medical needs or special diet, or to accommodate a religious, cultural, or family preference. A parent or guardian and the early learning provider must sign a written food plan.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0016Inactive statusVoluntary and temporary closure.
(1) If a center or family home licensee plans to temporarily close their early learning program for more than thirty calendar days, and this closure is a departure from the program's regular schedule, an early learning provider must submit a notification to go on inactive status to the department at least two business days prior to the planned closure. Notifications for inactive status must include:
(a) The date the early learning program will cease operating;
(b) The reasons why the licensee is going on inactive status; and
(c) A projected date the early learning program will reopen.
(2) The requirements of this section do not apply to licensed early learning programs that have temporary closures beyond thirty calendar days as part of their regular schedule, such as programs based on the school year or seasonal occupation.
(3) A licensee may not request inactive status during their first initial licensing period (six months) unless for an emergency.
(4) An early learning provider must inform parents and guardians that the program will temporarily close.
(5) An early learning provider is responsible for notifying the department of changes to program status including voluntary closures, new household members or staff, or other program changes. Program status updates must also be completed in the department's electronic system.
(6) Background check rules in chapter 110-06 WAC, including allegations of child abuse or neglect, will remain in effect during inactive status.
(7) After receiving a notice of inactive status, the department will:
(a) Place the license on inactive status;
(b) Inform the licensee that the license is inactive; and
(c) Notify the following programs of the inactive status:
(i) The department's child care subsidy programs;
(ii) USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); and
(iii) Early achievers, ECEAP, Head Start Grantee, and child care aware of Washington.
(8) A licensee is still responsible for maintaining annual compliance requirements during inactive status pursuant to RCW 43.216.305.
(9) If inactive status exceeds six months within a twelve-month period, the department must close the license for failing to comply with RCW 43.216.305(2). The licensee must reapply for licensing pursuant to RCW 43.216.305(3).
(10) The department may pursue enforcement actions after three failed attempts to monitor an early learning program if:
(a) The early learning provider has not been available to permit the monitoring visits;
(b) The monitoring visits were attempted within a three-month ((span to the monitoring due date))time period; and
(c) The department attempted to contact the provider by phone during the third attempted visit while still on the early learning premises.
(11) When a licensee is ready to reopen after a temporary closure, the licensee must notify the department in writing. After receiving notice of the intent to reopen, the department will:
(a) Conduct a health and safety visit of the early learning program within ten business days to determine that the provider is in compliance with this chapter;
(b) Activate the license and inform the licensee that the license is active; and
(c) Notify the following programs of the active status:
(i) The department's child care subsidy programs;
(ii) CACFP; and
(iii) Early achievers, ECEAP, Head Start Grantee, and child care aware of Washington.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0020Unlicensed programs.
(1) If the department suspects that an individual or agency ((is))suspected of providing unlicensed child care, the department must follow the requirements of RCW 43.216.360.
(2) If an individual decides to obtain a license, within thirty calendar days from the date of the department's notice in subsection (1) of this section, the individual or agency must submit a written agreement on a department form stating they agree to:
(a) Attend and participate in the next available department licensing orientation; and
(b) Submit a licensing application after completing orientation.
(3) The department's written notice under subsection (1) of this section must inform the individual or agency providing unlicensed child care:
(a) That the individual or agency must stop providing child care, pursuant to RCW 43.216.360;
(b) How to respond to the department;
(c) How to apply for a license;
(d) How a fine, if issued, may be suspended or withdrawn if the individual applies for a license;
(e) That the individual has a right to request an adjudicative proceeding (hearing) if a fine is assessed; and
(f) How to ask for a hearing, under chapter 34.05 RCW (Administrative Procedure Act), chapter 43.216 RCW, and chapter 110-03 WAC (department hearing rules).
(4) If an individual providing unlicensed child care does not submit an agreement to obtain a license as provided in subsection (2) of this section within thirty calendar days from the date of the department's written notice, the department will post information on its website that the individual is providing child care without a license.
(5) A person providing unlicensed child care:
(a) ((Shall))Will be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 43.216.365; and
(b) May be subject to an injunction pursuant to RCW 43.216.355.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0030Nondiscrimination.
(1) Early learning programs are defined by state ((and federal)) law as places of public accommodation that must:
(a) Not discriminate in employment practices or client services based on race, creed, ((ethnicity))color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, ((class,)) age, religion, or ability; and
(b) Comply with the requirements of the Washington law against discrimination (chapter 49.60 RCW) and the ADA.
(2) An early learning program must have a written nondiscrimination policy addressing at least the factors listed in subsection (1) of this section.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0100General staff qualifications.
All early learning providers must meet the following requirements prior to working:
(1) Family home early learning program licensees work from their private residence to provide early learning programing to a group of no more than twelve children present at one time.
(a) A family home licensee must meet the following qualifications upon application:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) Have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
(iii) Complete the applicable preservice requirements pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105.
(b) A family home licensee must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Family home licensees must have an ECE initial certificate, or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department within five years of the date this section becomes effective; and
(ii) Upon completion of the ECE initial certificate or equivalent, family home licensees must complete an ECE short certificate or equivalent within two years, as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department.
(A) If a family home licensee already has an existing ECE initial certificate or equivalent, the licensee must complete an ECE short certificate or equivalent within five years of licensure by the department.
(B) Five years from the date this rule takes effect, the family home licensee must complete an ECE short certificate or equivalent within three years.
(iii) Have their continued professional development progress documented annually.
(c) Family home licensees must provide the following services:
(i) Be on-site for the daily operation of the early learning program fifty percent or more of weekly operating hours, or designate a person with the qualifications of a family home licensee to be on-site when not present;
(ii) Comply with these foundational quality standards;
(iii) Develop a curriculum philosophy, communicate the philosophy to all early learning program staff and parents, and train staff to ensure the philosophy serves all children in the early learning program;
(iv) Have knowledge of community resources available to families, including resources for children with special needs and the ability to share these resources with families; and
(v) Oversee early learning program staff and support staff in creating and maintaining staff records.
(2) Center early learning program licensees must meet the requirements of a center director, listed in subsection (3) of this section, or hire a center director who meets the qualifications prior to being granted an initial license. Center licensees who fulfill the role of center director in their early learning program must complete all trainings and requirements for center directors.
(3) Center directors or assistant directors manage the early learning program and set appropriate program and staff expectations.
(a) A center director must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) Have an ECE state certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department as follows:
(A) A center director working at the time this chapter becomes effective must complete an ECE state certificate or equivalent within five years of the date this section becomes effective;
(B) A center director hired or promoted after this chapter becomes effective must have an ECE state certificate or equivalent ((at))within five years of the time of hire.
(iii) Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in the early learning program and at least six months of experience in administration or management or a department approved plan;
(iv) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105;
(v) If a center director does not meet the minimum qualification requirements, the center early learning program must employ an assistant director or program supervisor who meets the minimum qualifications of these positions;
(vi) Have their continued professional development progress documented annually.
(b) An assistant director must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) Have an ECE state certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department as follows:
(A) An assistant director working at the time this chapter becomes effective must complete an ECE state certificate or equivalent within five years of the date this section becomes effective;
(B) An assistant director hired or promoted after this chapter becomes effective must have an ECE state certificate or equivalent ((at))within five years of the time of hire.
(iii) Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in the early learning program or two years of experience in administration or management, or a department approved plan;
(iv) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105;
(v) Have their continued professional development progress documented annually.
(c) A center director or assistant director or equivalent must provide the following services:
(i) Be on-site for the daily operation of the early learning program fifty percent or more of weekly operating hours up to forty hours per week, or designate a person with the qualifications of an assistant director, program supervisor, or equivalent. A center director may act as a substitute teacher if acting as a substitute does not interfere with management or supervisory responsibilities;
(ii) Comply with foundational quality standards;
(iii) Develop a curriculum philosophy, communicate the philosophy to all early learning program staff and parents, and train staff to ensure the philosophy serves all children in the early learning program (or designate a program supervisor with this responsibility);
(iv) Have knowledge of community resources available to families, including resources for children with special needs and be able to share these resources with families; and
(v) Oversee professional development plans for early learning program staff including, but not limited to:
(A) Providing support to staff for creating and maintaining staff records;
(B) Setting educational goals with staff and locating or coordinating state-approved training opportunities for staff; and
(C) Observing and mentoring staff.
(4) Center program supervisors plan the early learning program services under the oversight of a center director or assistant director.
(a) A program supervisor must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) ((If a director or assistant director has an ECE state certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department as follows:
(A) A program supervisor must complete))Have an ECE state certificate or equivalent within five years of the date this section becomes effective or from the ((date))time of hire or promotion, ((whichever is later;
(B) A program supervisor at the time of hire or promotion must have an ECE state certificate if the director or assistant director does not have an ECE state certificate.))if a director or assistant director does not have an ECE state certificate or equivalent as required by this section;
(iii) Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in any early learning program;
(iv) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105; and
(v) Have their continued professional development progress documented annually.
(b) A program supervisor performs the following duties:
(i) Guide the planning of curriculum philosophy, implementation, and environmental design of the early learning program;
(ii) Comply with foundational quality standards;
(iii) Act as a teacher or director as long as it does not interfere with the program supervisor's primary responsibilities; and
(iv) Manage the professional development plans and requirements for staff as needed.
(c) One person may be the center director, assistant director, and the program supervisor when qualified for all positions, provided that all requirements of subsection (3)(a) and (b) of this section are met.
(5) Any individual hired or promoted into a position detailed in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section who does not have an ECE state certificate or equivalent as required under subsections (3)(a)(ii), (b)(ii), and (4)(a)(ii) of this section must instead meet the following requirement as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department:
If a center is licensed for this number of children:
Then the director, assistant director, or program supervisor must have completed at least this number of college quarter credits in early childhood education core competencies:
(a) 12 or fewer
10
(b) 13 to 24
25
(c) 25 or more
45
(6)Lead teachers are responsible for implementing the center or family home early learning program. Lead teachers develop and provide a nurturing and responsive learning environment that meets the needs of enrolled children.
(a) A lead teacher must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) Have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
(iii) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105.
(b) A center lead teacher must meet the following requirements:
(i) Have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department within five years of the date this section becomes effective, or five years from being employed or promoted into this position at any licensed early learning program;
(ii) Progress towards an ECE short certificate or equivalent. A center lead teacher hired after this chapter becomes effective must have an ECE short certificate within two years of receiving an ECE initial certificate, or seven years from being employed or promoted into this position at any licensed early learning program; and
(iii) Have their professional development progress documented annually.
(c) A family home lead teacher must meet the following requirements:
(i) Have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department within five years of the date this section becomes effective, or from being employed or promoted into this position at any licensed early learning program;
(ii) Prior to being in charge of their early learning program fifty percent or more of the time, a family home lead teacher must meet the qualifications of the family home licensee and complete or be registered in orientation training required in WAC 110-300-0105(1); and
(iii) Have their professional development progress documented annually.
(((6)))(7)Assistant teachers help a lead teacher or licensee provide instructional support to children and implement developmentally appropriate programs in center or family home early learning programs.
(a) An assistant teacher must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Be at least eighteen years old;
(ii) Have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
(iii) Have a minimum of an ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the department within five years of the date this section becomes effective, or from being employed or promoted to this position at any licensed early learning program;
(iv) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105; and
(v) Have their professional development progress documented annually.
(b) Assistant teachers may work alone with children with regular, scheduled, and documented oversight and on-the-job classroom training from the classroom's assigned lead teacher who is primarily responsible for the care of the same group of children for the majority of their day.
(c) For continuity of care, assistant teachers can act as a substitute lead teacher up to two weeks. If longer than two weeks, the provider must notify the department with a plan to manage the classroom.
(((7)))(8)Aides provide classroom support to an assistant teacher, lead teacher, program supervisor, center director, assistant director, or family home licensee. Aides must meet the following qualifications:
(a) Be at least fourteen years old;
(b) Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent education program;
(c) Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105;
(d) Have their professional development progress documented annually; and
(e) Aides may be counted in the staff-to-child ratio if they are working under the continuous oversight of a lead teacher, program supervisor, center director, assistant director, assistant teacher, or family home licensee.
(i) Aides working nineteen hours per month or less can count towards ratio with applicable preservice requirements pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105 and without in-service training requirements pursuant to WAC 110-300-0107 (1)(a).
(ii) Aides who work twenty hours or more per month with a cumulative twelve months of employment must complete applicable preservice requirements pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105 and in-service training pursuant to WAC 110-300-0107 (1)(a).
(((8)))(9)Other personnel who do not directly care for children and are not listed in subsections (1) through (((7)))(8) of this section must meet the following qualifications:
(a) Complete and pass a background check, pursuant to chapter 110-06 WAC;
(b) Have a negative TB test, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105; and
(c) Complete program based staff policies and training, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0110.
(((9)))(10)Volunteers help at early learning programs. Volunteers must meet the following qualifications:
(a) Be at least fourteen years old (volunteers must have written permission to volunteer from their parent or guardian if they are under eighteen years old);
(b) Work under the continuous oversight of a lead teacher, program supervisor, center director, assistant director, assistant teacher, or family home licensee;
(c) Regular, ongoing volunteers may count in staff-to-child ratio if they:
(i) Complete and pass a background check, pursuant to chapter 110-06 WAC;
(ii) Complete a TB test, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105;
(iii) Complete the training requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0106;
(iv) Complete program based staff policies and training, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0110; and
(v) Have their professional development progress documented annually.
(d) Occasional volunteers must comply with (a) and (b) of this subsection. Occasional volunteers may include, but are not limited to, a parent or guardian helping on a field trip, special guest presenters, or a parent or guardian, family member, or community member helping with a cultural celebration.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0107In-service training.
(1) An early learning provider must complete ten hours of annual in-service training after twelve months of cumulative employment.
(a) Family home licensees, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, and assistant teachers must complete the department enhancing quality of early learning (EQEL) in-service training within thirty-six months of being hired in a licensed facility, unless the provider has completed a department approved alternative training. EQEL hours may count towards the ten hours of annual in-service training.
(b) Every thirty-six months, following the completion of EQEL or a department approved alternative training, family home licensees, center directors, assistant directors, and program supervisors, must complete a minimum of ten hours of in-service training "child development" and a minimum of ten hours of in-service training on "leadership practices."
(i) Child development training includes the following Washington state core competencies: Child growth and development, curriculum and learning environment, ongoing measurements of child progress, family and community partnerships, health, safety, nutrition, and interactions.
(ii) Leadership practices training includes the following Washington state core competencies: Program planning and development, professional development, and leadership.
(2) In-service training requirements of this chapter may be met by completing college courses that align with the Washington state core competencies. These courses must be delivered by a postsecondary institution and approved by the department.
(3) Only five in-service training hours that exceed the requirements of subsection (1) of this section may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0115Staff records.
(1) An early learning provider must establish a records system for themselves, household members, staff, and volunteers that complies with the requirements of this chapter. Early learning program staff records must be:
(a) Verified by the licensee, center director, assistant director, or program supervisor;
(b) Entered and maintained in the electronic workforce registry, if applicable. Paper records may be discarded once entered into the electronic workforce registry and confirmed by the department;
(c) Updated to delete staff names from the electronic workforce registry when no longer employed at the early learning program; and
(d) Kept on-site or in the program's administrative office in a manner that allows the department to review the records.
(2) Records for each early learning provider and staff member must include:
(a) First and last name;
(b) Date of birth;
(c) Job title;
(d) First and last day of employment, if applicable;
(e) Proof of professional credentials, requirements, and training for each early learning staff member, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0100 through 110-300-0110.
(3) A licensee, center director, assistant director, or program supervisor must maintain the following records for each early learning provider and program staff in a confidential manner. These records must be reviewable by the department and must include at a minimum:
(a) A copy of current government issued photo identification;
(b) Emergency contact information;
(c) Completed employment application or resume;
(d) Annual observation, evaluation, and feedback information; ((and))
(e) The licensee's Social Security number, federal EIN, or a written document stating the licensee does not possess either; and
(f) Immunization records including exemption documents (center early learning programs only).
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0120Providing for personal, professional, and health needs of staff.
(1) A licensee must provide for the personal and professional needs of staff by:
(a) Having a secure place to store personal belongings that is inaccessible to children;
(b) Having a readily accessible phone to use for emergency calls or to contact the parents of enrolled children; and
(c) Providing file and storage space for professional materials.
(2) An early learning provider must be excluded from the early learning premises when that provider's illness or condition poses a risk of spreading a harmful disease or compromising the health and safety of others. The illnesses and conditions that require a staff member to be excluded are pursuant to WAC 110-300-0205.
(3) If a staff person has not been vaccinated, or ((has not)) shown documented immunity to a vaccine preventable disease, that person may be required by the local health jurisdiction or the department to remain off-site during an outbreak of a contagious disease described in WAC 246-110-010((, as now and hereafter amended)). A center early learning program staff person or volunteer who has not been vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella or shown proof of immunity from measles must not be allowed on the center early learning premises except as provided in (a) and (b) of this subsection.
(a) A center early learning program may allow a person to be employed or volunteer on the center early learning premises for up to thirty calendar days if the person signs a written attestation that the employee or volunteer has received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, or is immune from measles, but requires additional time to obtain and provide his or her immunization records. The required records must include immunization records indicating the employee or volunteer has received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; or records that show proof of immunity from measles through documentation of laboratory evidence of antibody titer or a health care provider's attestation of the person's history of measles sufficient to provide immunity against measles.
(b) A center early learning program may allow a person to be employed or volunteer on the center early learning premises if the person provides the center early learning program with a written certification signed by a health care practitioner, as defined in RCW 28A.210.090(3), that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is, in the practitioner's judgment, not advisable for the person. This subsection (3)(b) does not apply if a person's health care practitioner determines that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is no longer contraindicated.
(4) An early learning program's health policy, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0500, must include provisions for excluding or separating staff with a contagious disease described in WAC 246-110-010, as now and hereafter amended.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0205Child, staff, and household member illness.
(1) An early learning provider must observe all children for signs of illness when they arrive at the early learning program and throughout the day. Parents or guardians of a child should be notified, as soon as possible, if the child develops signs or symptoms of illness.
(2) If an early learning provider becomes ill, a licensee, center director, assistant director, or program supervisor must determine whether that person should be required to leave the licensed early learning space.
(3) When a child becomes ill, an early learning provider (or school nurse, if applicable) must determine whether the child should be sent home or separated from others. A provider must supervise the child to reasonably prevent contact between the ill child and healthy children.
(4) An ill child must be sent home or reasonably separated from other children if:
(a) The illness or condition prevents the child from participating in normal activities;
(b) The illness or condition requires more care and attention than the early learning provider can give;
(c) The required amount of care for the ill child compromises or places at risk the health and safety of other children in care; or
(d) There is a risk that the child's illness or condition will spread to other children or individuals.
(5) Unless covered by an individual care plan or protected by the ADA, an ill child, staff member, or other individual must be sent home or isolated from children in care if ((he or she))the ill individual has:
(a) A fever 101 degrees Fahrenheit for children over two months (or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for an infant younger than two months) by any method, and behavior change or other signs and symptoms of illness (including sore throat, earache, headache, rash, vomiting, diarrhea);
(b) Vomiting two or more times in the previous twenty-four hours;
(c) Diarrhea where stool frequency exceeds two stools above normal per twenty-four hours for that child or whose stool contains more than a drop of blood or mucus;
(d) A rash not associated with heat, diapering, or an allergic reaction;
(e) Open sores or wounds discharging bodily fluids that cannot be adequately covered with a waterproof dressing or mouth sores with drooling;
(f) Lice, ringworm, or scabies. Individuals with head lice, ringworm, or scabies must be excluded from the child care premises beginning from the end of the day the head lice, ringworm, or scabies was discovered. The provider may allow an individual with head lice, ringworm, or scabies to return to the premises after receiving the first treatment; or
(g) A child who appears severely ill, which may include lethargy, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or a significant change in behavior or activity level indicative of illness.
(6) At the first opportunity, but in no case longer than twenty-four hours of learning that an enrolled child, staff member, volunteer, or household member has been diagnosed by a health care professional with a contagious disease ((listed in))pursuant to WAC 246-110-010(3), as now and hereafter amended, an early learning provider must provide written notice to the department, the local health jurisdiction, and the parents or guardians of the enrolled children.
(7) An early learning provider must not take ear or rectal temperatures to determine a child's body temperature.
(a) Providers must use developmentally appropriate methods when taking infant or toddler temperatures (for example, digital forehead scan thermometers or underarm ((auxiliary)) methods);
(b) Oral temperatures may be taken for preschool through school-age children if single-use covers are used to prevent cross contamination; and
(c) Glass thermometers containing mercury must not be used.
(8) An early learning provider may readmit a child, staff member, volunteer or household member into the early learning program area with written permission of a health care provider or health jurisdiction stating the individual may safely return after being diagnosed with a contagious disease ((listed in))pursuant to WAC 246-110-010(3), as now and hereafter amended.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0335Physical restraint.
(1) An early learning provider must have written physical restraint protocols pursuant to WAC 110-300-0490, and implement such protocols only when appropriate and after complying with all requirements of WAC 110-300-0330 and 110-300-0331.
(2) Physical restraint must only be used if a child's safety or the safety of others is threatened, and must be:
(a) Limited to holding a child as gently as possible to accomplish restraint;
(b) Limited to the minimum amount of time necessary to control the situation;
(c) Developmentally appropriate; and
(d) Only performed by early learning providers trained in a restraint technique pursuant to WAC 110-300-0106(9).
(3) No person may use bonds, ties, blankets, straps, car seats, high chairs, activity saucers, or heavy weights (including an adult sitting on a child) to physically restrain children.
(4) Licensees, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers or trained staff must remove him or herself from a situation if they sense a loss of their own self-control and concern for the child when using a restraint technique if another early learning provider is present. If an early learning provider observes another staff using inappropriate restraint techniques, the staff must intervene.
(5) If physical restraint is used, staff must:
(a) Report the use of physical restraint ((to the child's parent or guardian as soon as possible, but no later than the release of the child at the end of the day, and to the department within twenty-four hours)), pursuant to WAC 110-300-0475 (2)(f);
(b) Assess any incident of physical restraint to determine if the decision to use physical restraint and its application were appropriate;
(c) Document the incident in the child's file, including the date, time, early learning program staff involved, duration and what happened before, during and after the child was restrained;
(d) Develop a written plan with input from the child's primary care or mental health provider, and the parents or guardians, to address underlying issues and reduce need for further physical restraint if:
(i) Physical restraint has been used more than once; and
(ii) A plan is not already a part of the child's individual care plan.
(e) Notify the department when a written plan has been developed.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0420Prohibited substances.
(1) Chapter 70.160 RCW prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment.
(2) Pursuant to RCW 70.160.050, an early learning provider must:
(a) Prohibit smoking, vaping, or similar activities in licensed indoor space, even during nonbusiness hours;
(b) Prohibit smoking, vaping, or similar activities in licensed outdoor space unless:
(i) Smoking, vaping or similar activities occurs during nonbusiness hours; or
(ii) In an area for smoking or vaping tobacco products that is not a "public place" or "place of employment," as defined in RCW 70.160.020.
(c) Prohibit smoking, vaping, or similar activities in motor vehicles used to transport enrolled children;
(d) Prohibit smoking, vaping, or similar activities by any provider who is supervising children, including during field trips;
(e) Prohibit smoking, vaping, or similar activities within twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, operable windows, and vents, pursuant to RCW 70.160.075; and
(f) Post "no smoking or vaping" signs. Signs must be clearly visible and located at each building entrance used as part of the early learning program.
(3) An early learning provider must:
(a) Prohibit any person from consuming or being under the influence of alcohol on licensed space during business hours;
(b) Prohibit any person within licensed space from consuming or being under the influence of illegal drugs or ((misused)) prescription drugs to the extent that it interferes with the care for children as required by this chapter;
(c) Store any tobacco or vapor products, or the packaging of tobacco or vapor products in a space that is inaccessible to children;
(d) Prohibit children from accessing cigarette or cigar butts or ashes;
(e) Store any cannabis or associated paraphernalia out of the licensed space and in a space that is inaccessible to children; and
(f) Store alcohol in a space that is inaccessible to children (both opened and closed containers).
(4) A center early learning provider must prohibit any person from using, consuming, or being under the influence of cannabis in any form on licensed space.
(5) A family home early learning provider must prohibit any person from using, consuming, or being under the influence of cannabis products in any form on licensed space during business hours.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0470Emergency preparedness plan.
(1) An early learning provider must have and follow a written emergency preparedness plan. The plan must be reviewed and approved by the department prior to when changes are made. Emergency preparedness plans must:
(a) Be designed to respond to fire, natural disasters, and other emergencies that might affect the early learning program;
(b) Be specific to the early learning program and able to be implemented during hours of operation;
(c) Address what the provider would do if ((he or she))the provider has an emergency and children may be left unsupervised;
(d) Address what the early learning program must do if parents are not able to get to their children for up to three days;
(e) Must follow requirements in chapter 212-12 WAC, Fire marshal standards, as now or hereafter amended and the state fire marshal's office requirements if a center early learning program;
(f) Be reviewed at program orientation, annually with all early learning program staff with documented signatures, and when the plan is updated; and
(g) Be reviewed with parents or guardians when a child is enrolled and when the plan is updated.
(2) The written emergency preparedness plan must cover at a minimum:
(a) Disaster plans, including fires that may require evacuation:
(i) An evacuation floor plan that identifies room numbers or names of rooms, emergency exit pathways, emergency exit doors, and ((for family home based programs,)) emergency exit windows ((if applicable))for family-home based programs as described in WAC 51-51-0326;
(ii) Methods to be used for sounding an alarm and calling 911;
(iii) Actions to be taken by a person discovering an emergency;
(iv) How the early learning provider will evacuate children, especially those who cannot walk independently. This may include infant evacuation cribs (for center early learning programs), children with disabilities, functional needs requirements, or other special needs;
(v) Where the alternate evacuation location is;
(vi) What to take when evacuating children, including:
(A) First-aid kit(s);
(B) Copies of emergency contact information;
(C) Child medication records; and
(D) Individual children's medication, if applicable.
(vii) How the provider will maintain the required staff-to-child ratio and account for all children;
(viii) How parents or guardians will be able to contact the early learning program; and
(ix) How children will be reunited with their parents or guardians after the event.
(b) Earthquake procedures including:
(i) What a provider will do during an earthquake;
(ii) How a provider will account for all children; and
(iii) How a provider will coordinate with local or state officials to determine if the licensed space is safe for children after an earthquake.
(c) Public safety related lockdown scenarios where an individual at or near an early learning program is harming or attempting to harm others with or without a weapon. This plan must include lockdown of the early learning program or shelter-in-place steps including:
(i) How doors and windows will be secured to prevent access, if needed; and
(ii) Where children will safely stay inside the early learning program.
(d) How parents or guardians will be contacted after the emergency ends.
(3) An early learning provider must keep on the premises a three day supply of food, water, and life-sustaining medication for the licensed capacity of children and current staff for use in case of an emergency.
(4) An early learning provider must practice and record emergency drills with staff and children as follows:
(a) Fire and evacuation drill once each calendar month;
(b) Earthquake, lockdown, or shelter-in-place drill once every three calendar months;
(c) Emergency drills must be conducted with a variety of staff and at different times of the day, including in the evening and during overnight hours for early learning programs that care for children during those hours; and
(d) Drills must be recorded on a department form and include:
(i) The date and time of the drill;
(ii) The number of children and staff who participated;
(iii) The length of the drill; and
(iv) Notes about how the drill went and how it may be improved.
(5) In areas where local emergency plans are already in place, such as school districts, an early learning program may adopt or amend such procedures when developing their own plan.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-15-001, filed 7/5/18, effective 7/5/18)
WAC 110-300-0475Duty to protect children and report incidents.
(1) Pursuant to RCW 26.44.030, when an early learning provider has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, that provider must report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or the department. "Abuse or neglect" has the same meaning here as in RCW 26.44.020.
(2) An early learning provider must report by ((phone upon knowledge of the following to:))telephone to the listed individuals, department, and other government agencies when the provider knows or has reason to know of an act, event, or occurrence described in (a) through (f) of this subsection.
(a) Law enforcement or the department at the first opportunity, but in no case longer than forty-eight hours:
(i) The death of a child while in the early learning program's care or the death from injury or illness that may have occurred while the child was in care;
(ii) A child's attempted suicide or talk about attempting suicide;
(iii) Any suspected physical, sexual or emotional child abuse;
(iv) Any suspected child neglect, child endangerment, or child exploitation;
(v) A child's disclosure of sexual or physical abuse; or
(vi) Inappropriate sexual contact between two or more children.
(b) Emergency services (911) immediately, and to the department within twenty-four hours:
(i) A child missing from care, triggered as soon as staff realizes the child is missing;
(ii) A medical emergency that requires immediate professional medical care;
(iii) A child who is given too much of any oral, inhaled, or injected medication;
(iv) A child who took or received another child's medication;
(v) A fire or other emergency;
(vi) Poisoning or suspected poisoning; or
(vii) Other dangers or incidents requiring emergency response.
(c) Washington poison center immediately after calling 911, and to the department within twenty-four hours:
(i) A poisoning or suspected poisoning;
(ii) A child who is given too much of any oral, inhaled, or injected medication; or
(iii) A child who took or received another child's medication;
(iv) The provider must follow any directions provided by Washington poison center.
(d) The local health jurisdiction or the department of health immediately, and to the department within twenty-four hours about an occurrence of food poisoning or reportable contagious disease as defined in chapter 246-110 WAC, as now or hereafter amended;
(e) The department at the first opportunity, but in no case longer than twenty-four hours, upon knowledge of any person required by chapter 110-06 WAC to have a change in their background check history due to:
(i) A pending charge or conviction for a crime listed in chapter 110-06 WAC;
(ii) An allegation or finding of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation under chapter 26.44 RCW or chapter 388-15 WAC;
(iii) An allegation or finding of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult under chapter 74.34 RCW; or
(iv) A pending charge or conviction of a crime listed in the director's list in chapter 110-06 WAC from outside Washington state, or a "negative action" as defined in RCW 43.216.010.
(f) A child's parent or guardian as soon as possible, but no later than the release of the child at the end of the day, and to the department within twenty-four hours, about using physical restraint on a child as described in WAC 110-300-0335.
(3) In addition to reporting to the department by phone or email, an early learning provider must submit a written incident report of the following on a department form within twenty-four hours:
(a) Situations that required an emergency response from emergency services (911), Washington poison center, or department of health;
(b) Situations that occur while children are in care that may put children at risk including, but not limited to, inappropriate sexual touching, neglect, physical abuse, maltreatment, or exploitation; and
(c) A serious injury to a child in care.
(4) An early learning provider must immediately report to the parent or guardian:
(a) Their child's death, serious injury, need for emergency or poison services; or
(b) An incident involving their child that was reported to the local health jurisdiction or the department of health.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)
WAC 110-305-2050Child recordsContents.
(1) An enrollment record is required for every child who is enrolled and counted in capacity. Each child's enrollment record must include the following:
(a) The child's beginning enrollment date;
(b) End of enrollment date for children no longer in the licensee's care;
(c) The child's birth date;
(d)(((i))) The child's ((current)) immunization records((, on a DOH certificate of immunization status (CIS) form signed by the parent or guardian; or
(ii) A DOH certificate of exemption (COE) form signed by the parent for religious, philosophical, or personal exemption; or
(iii) A DOH certificate of exemption (COE) form signed by the parent and a health care professional for a medical exemption))and immunization exemption records;
(e) The child's health history that includes:
(i) Known health conditions such as allergies, asthma, and diabetes;
(ii) Date of last physical exam; and
(iii) Date of last dental exam((;)).
(f) The names, phone numbers, and addresses of persons authorized to pick up the child;
(g) Emergency contacts((. If no emergency contact is available, a written emergency contact plan may be accepted));
(h) Parent or guardian information including name, phone numbers, address, and contact information for reaching the family while the child is in care;
(i) Medical and dental care provider names and contact information, if the child has providers((. If the child has no medical or dental provider, the parent or guardian must provide a written plan for medical or dental injury or incident)); and
(j) Consent to seek medical care and treatment of the child in the event of injury or illness, signed by the child's parent or guardian.
(2)(a) The child's immunization records and immunization exemption records must include the following:
(i) The child's current immunization record, on a DOH certificate of immunization status (CIS) form, signed by the parent or guardian;
(ii) A DOH certificate of exemption (COE) form signed by the parent or legal guardian that declares a religious belief, philosophical, or personal objection immunization exemption authorized under RCW 28A.210.090 (1)(b) or (c); and
(iii) A DOH certificate of exemption (COE) form signed by the parent and a health care practitioner for a medical exemption authorized under RCW 28A.210.090 (1)(a).
(b) A philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine under this section.
(c) If no emergency contact is available as described in subsection (1)(g) of this section, a written emergency contact plan may be accepted.
(d) If the child has no medical or dental provider as discussed in subsection (1)(i) of this section, the parent or guardian must provide a written plan for medical and dental injuries or incidents.
(3) If applicable, a child's records must include:
(a) Injury/incident reports (see WAC ((170-297-3575 and 170-297-3600))110-305-3575 and 110-305-3600);
(b) A medication authorization and administration log (see WAC ((170-297-3375))110-305-3375);
(c) A plan for special or individual needs of the child (see WAC ((170-297-0050))110-305-0050); and
(d) Documentation of use of physical restraint (see WAC ((170-297-6250))110-305-6250).
(((3)))(4) The child's records must include signed parent permissions (see WAC ((170-297-6400))110-305-6400) as applicable for:
(a) Field trips;
(b) Transportation; and
(c) Visiting health professionals providing services to the child at the child care program site.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)
WAC 110-305-2325Notifiable conditions.
(1) The licensee or designee must report a staff person, volunteer, or child diagnosed with a notifiable condition as defined in chapter 246-101 WAC to the local health jurisdiction or the state department of health.
(2) The licensee or designee must contact the local health jurisdiction for the list of notifiable conditions and reporting requirements.
(3) A person must be excluded from the program when diagnosed with a notifiable condition and must not return to the program until approved to do so by the local health officer. A licensed school age child care center staff person or volunteer who has not been vaccinated against or shown proof of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella must not be allowed on the school age child care center premises except as provided in (a) and (b) of this subsection.
(a) A licensed school age child care center program may allow a person to be employed or volunteer on the school age child care center premises for up to thirty calendar days if the person signs a written attestation attesting to having received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, or having immunity from measles, mumps, and rubella, but requiring additional time to obtain and provide immunization records. The required records must include immunization records indicating the employee or volunteer has received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; or records that show proof of immunity from measles through documentation of laboratory evidence of antibody titer or a health care provider's attestation of the person's history of measles sufficient to provide immunity against measles.
(b) A school age child care center program may allow a person to be employed or volunteer on the school age child care center premises if the person provides the school age child care center with a written certification signed by a health care practitioner, as defined in RCW 28A.210.090(3), that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is, in the practitioner's judgment, not advisable for the person. This subsection (3)(b) of this section does not apply if a person's health care practitioner determines that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is no longer contraindicated.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)
WAC 110-305-3250Immunization tracking.
The licensee or designee is required to track each child's immunization status in accordance with WAC 246-105-060. The child care program must:
(1) Keep all DOH approved forms described in WAC 246-105-050 for each enrolled child((;)).
(2) Keep a list of currently enrolled children with ((medical, religious, philosophical, or personal))an immunization exemption((s))authorized under RCW 28A.210.080 and 28A.210.090. This list must be sent to the local health department upon request((;)).
(3) Return the department of health certificate of immunization status (CIS) or applicable form to the parent when the child is withdrawn from the child care program. A child care program may not withhold from the parent a child's health department-approved form for any reason, including nonpayment of child care program fees((; and)).
(4) Provide access to immunization records of each child enrolled to agents of the state or local health department.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)
WAC 110-305-3300ImmunizationsExemption.
((The))(1) A school age child care center program may accept a child without any immunizations if the parent or guardian provides a DOH certificate of exemption (COE) form ((indicating a medical, religious, philosophical, or personal exemption as provided in WAC 246-105-060))under the following circumstances:
(a) A COE form signed by the parent or legal guardian that declares a religious belief, philosophical, or personal objection immunization exemption authorized under RCW 28A.210.090 (1)(b) or (c); or
(b) A COE form signed by a health care practitioner for a medical exemption authorized under RCW 28A.210.090 (1)(a).
(2) A philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.