Skip Navigation LinksHome > Agencies > Agency Standards  
 
Skip Navigation Links
Introduction
Go To Database
Agencies
Definitions
Agencies - Agency Information and Links
Agency Standards - Colorado Department of Human Services (licensing)
 
StandardSubStandardDescription
Education and Early Childhood EducationCurriculum7.702.68 Child Care Centers A. Activity Schedules 1. The center must carry out a planned program suitable to the needs of the children. This program must be described in writing and be available for review when requested by the department or by parents or guardians of children in care. 2. The program must include outdoor play each day except when the severity of weather, including temperature extremes, makes it a health hazard or when a child must remain indoors due to health reasons. 3. If the center takes children on routine short excursions, such activities and locations must be posted at the center. 4. If a child participates in activities away from the facility, the center must obtain the parent or guardian's written permission for the child to participate in the activity at a specific location and day. Staff ratios found at Section 7.702.55 must be maintained. 5. Television viewing, including videos, should not be permitted without the approval of a child's parents, who must be advised of the center's policy regarding television and video viewing.
Education and Early Childhood EducationCurriculum7.707.6 ACTIVITIES A. Each child in care must be provided with an opportunity for both group and individual play. B. Children must be encouraged to relate or to communicate with each other and with adults. C. Outdoor activity must be available to all children daily, weather permitting. D. Outdoor play at the home is allowed only in the fenced yard or under the direct supervision of the caregiver. E. Television viewing, including videos, should not be permitted without the approval of a child's parents, who must be advised of the types of programs the children will be permitted to see.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.81 Building site C. Toddler Nursery 1. The toddler nursery must be located on grade level. 2. If the toddler nursery is combined with a large child care center or an infant nursery, toddler facilities, both indoor and outdoor, must be completely separate from facilities for other age groups, except as allowed by Section 7.702.83, B, 8 and 9. If the facility wishes to provide opportunities for a toddler to have occasional contact with siblings, plans must be approved by the department licensing representative. 3. A toddler nursery located in a drop-in child care center licensed for five (5) or fewer toddlers may be separated from the rest of the center by a five (5) foot wall.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.81 Building Site B. Infant Nursery 1. The infant nursery must be located on the grade level. 2. If the infant nursery is in the same building as a facility caring for children of other ages, the infant nursery must be physically separated in different rooms.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.83 Space Requirements A. Indoor Area Requirements 1. There must be open, indoor play space of at least 30 square feet of floor space per child, including space for movable furniture and equipment. Indoor space must be exclusive of kitchen, toilet rooms, office, staff rooms, hallways and stairways, closets, laundry, furnace rooms, and space occupied by permanent built in cabinets and permanent storage shelves inaccessible to children. Child care centers in operation prior to January 1, 1966, and which continue operation under the same governing body, must provide open indoor play space of at least 25 square feet of floor space per child, including space for readily movable furniture and equipment, and with the exclusions noted in the preceding paragraph. 2. Adequate storage space must be provided for indoor and outdoor equipment and supplies. Space for reserve supplies must be in addition to the designated space allotment for children's play activities. 3. There must be at least 1 diaper change area for each 20 or fewer children in need of diaper changing. Diaper change areas must be located and arranged so as to provide privacy for older children in need of diaper changing. See also Section 7.702.63, B.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.83 Space Requirements A. Indoor Area Requirements 5. Square Footage Requirement per Child AGE OF CHILD SEPARATE FREE PLAY AREA SEPARATE SLEEP AREA COMBINED SLEEP AND PLAY AREA 6 weeks to 18 months (infants) 35 square feet adequate space to accommodate size of cribs and needs of infants and staff 50 square feet 12 months to 36 months (toddlers) 30 square feet 30 square feet 45 square feet 2 1/2 years to 5 years (preschool) 30 square feet 5 years and over (school-age) 30 square feet
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.83 Space Requirements A. Indoor Area Requirements 4. Number of Children Allowed in One Room AGE OF CHILDREN MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN A ROOM 6 weeks to 18 months 10 infants 12 months to 18 months 10 infants 12 months to 36 months 20 toddlers 18 months to 24 months 20 toddlers 24 months to 36 months 28 toddlers 30 months to 36 months 28 toddlers Toddler centers licensed prior to 7/1/89 are exempt from the room size requirements.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.83 Space Requirments A.Indoor Area Requirements 6. In the infant nursery, the minimum indoor space per infant for sleep and activities is 50 square feet. This space is exclusive of kitchen, toilet rooms, office, staff rooms, hallways and stairways, closets, laundry, furnace rooms, and space occupied by permanent built in cabinets and storage shelves. a. If a separate sleep room is provided, it must have enough square footage that all babies and cribs are easily accessible to staff members. The activity room must contain at least 35 square feet per child. b. If a combination sleep/activity room is used, the sleep area must be separated by a sturdy divider from the area used for activities, and cribs must be arranged so that all babies and cribs are easily accessible to staff members.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.707.57 Overnight Care A. Regular overnight care (care that extends through a large portion of the night) of children is permitted only when licensed to do so. B. All children in care must be provided with a comfortable cot, crib, bed, or couch suitable for the child's age, 2 sheets, and a suitable warm covering. At least 40 square feet of floor space must be available for each bed. Beds arranged in parallel must be at least 2 feet apart. E. If the caregiver goes to sleep, it must be on the same floor where children under 8 years of age are sleeping. F. If children in care over the age of 4 share sleeping rooms with persons who are over age 4, the home must have approval from the parent(s) or guardian(s) of each child involved.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.707.81 Facility Requirements A. The entire premises are subject to inspection for licensing purposes, including but not limited to the residence where care is to be provided, the grounds surrounding the residence, the basement, the attic (if accessible), the storage shed, and the garage or carport. B. At least 75 square feet of outdoor play space must be available for each child. C. One room or area in the home that contains a bed, cot, or sofa must be designated a sick room where a child can be separated from other children and cared for in the event of injury or illness. A crib or playpen with a pad must be provided for children under 12 months of age. A clean, washable sheet and blanket must be provided for each child. D. At least 35 square feet of indoor space where children can play and be cared for, exclusive of halls and baths, must be provided for each child. E. All floors must have carpets, tile, or a smooth finish that can be cleaned easily. F. Interior walls must be free of holes and constructed of solid material with a smooth finish that can be cleaned easily. G. An adequate number of high chairs and other suitable equipment that meets federal Consumer Product Safety Commission standards must be provided to feed children under 2 years of age. Refer to Section 7.701.26, C, for information on how to obtain the standards. H. A business of a nature that might be hazardous to the health, safety, or well- being of children cannot be operated on the premises of the home. I. The large home must provide sufficient space in the specific room(s) designated for use for child care. Space used by household furniture cannot be used to meet this requirement.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.73 Rest Time Equipment B. Cots or pads must be spaced at least 2 feet apart on all sides during rest time. Children must have a safe area in which to rest. C. When the room provided for rest is used for other program activities, the cots, pads, and linens must be stored in an area that is not included in the required square footage assigned for play space.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.73 Rest Time Equipment C. When the room provided for rest is used for other program activities, the cots, pads, and linens must be stored in an area that is not included in the required square footage assigned for play space.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.85 Toilet Facilities A. Toilet facilities for the staff and other adults must be in separate compartments or separated by a partition from children's facilities, except in centers licensed for 30 or fewer children and in centers with programs of 4 hours or less.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.85 Toilet Facilities B. Toilet rooms for children must be separate from rooms used for other purposes and must be located on the same floor as the inside play area.
Education and Early Childhood EducationIndoor Space7.702.85 Toilet Facilities C. A minimum of one (1) lavatory and one (1) flush toilet must be provided for each 15 or fewer children. Drop-in child care centers must provide a minimum of one 1 lavatory and one 1 flush toilet for each 20 or fewer children.
12345678910...
Copyright © OMNI Institute