Proposed Child Care Sanitation Rules Amendments

1. Proposed Child Care Sanitation Rules Amendments Notable Changes Children’s Environmental Health Branch November 2005

2. Why Make Changes? • To meet the evolving needs of child care. • To simplify the rules. • To remove obsolete items from the rules. • To add current ‘state of practice’ to the rules. • Evidence-based science

3. Definitions .2801 • “Disinfecting solution”: solution containing 500 ppm – 800 ppm of chlorine or EPA-registered product. • ¼ Cup (2oz) liquid chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of tap water and prepared daily. • “Sanitizing solution”: solution containing 50 ppm – 200 ppm of chlorine. • 1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of water and prepared daily.

4. Definitions .2801 • “School age”any child at least 5 years old on or before October 16 of the current school year and who is or has attended a public or private grade school or kindergarten. • “Tempered water”: means water that is between 80ºF and 110ºF.

5. Handwashing .2803 • Handwashing section moved from .2828 to .2803. • Moved forward to emphasize importance of handwashing. • Lists times and places handwashing must take place. • Describes handwashing methods and materials to be used.

6. Food Supplies .2804 • Breast milk can be frozen & stored up to 7 days. • Microwaves prohibited for thawing/warming any beverages. • Bottle warming equipment inaccessible to children when in use. • Meals from home shall be dated & labeled. • Fruits & vegetables grown at the center are allowed.

7. Food Service .2810 • Food service no longer affected by number of children served or licensed for. • 29 or less and 30 or more children no longer a criterion. • Minimum required kitchen equipment is specifically listed. • Grandfather clause no longer relevant. • Child care centers located in a school may use school cafeteria if available during hours of operation.

8. Cleaning and Sanitizing .2811-.2813 • Cleaning and sanitizing rules have been combined into one rule (.2812).

9. Water Supply .2815 • Any center using a groundwater supply that serves 25 or more people shall provide documentation from the Public Water Supply Section that the well meets 15A NCAC 18C .1700 requirements (non-community, non-transient system). • Water sample to be taken annually by the Department. • Additional testing may be required if indicated.

10. Water Supply .2815 • Water used for cleaning, sanitizing food utensils, and laundry shall be provided at a minimum of 120ºF at the point of use. Changed from 130ºF/ 140ºF. • Water accessible to children shall be tempered between 80ºF - 110ºF. • For lavatories used exclusively by school age children the 80ºF minimum temperature shall not apply. • Water in an area accessible to any child, which exceeds 120ºF shall be considered a burn hazard.

11. Lead Poisoning Hazards .2816 • Lead poisoning hazards merged into a separate section.

12. Toilets .2817 • Toilet tissue shall be available! • Toilet rooms shall include or be adjacent to a handwash lavatory. • Toilet fixtures shall be cleaned & disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. • 500 ppm – 800 ppm chlorine solution shall be used or EPA-registered product. • A testing method shall be available for bleach solution.

13. Lavatories .2818 • Any lavatory may be used for handwashing as specified in .2803 except flush-rimmed sinks and those with attached operable drinking fountains. • Cleaned & disinfected with each change of use and at least daily. A solution of 500 ppm – 800 ppm chlorine shall be used or EPA-registered product.

14. Diapering .2819 • Each diaper changing station shall include a handwash lavatory. • Exception for school-age children & <13 children in a residential center • Only items needed for diapering shall be placed on the diapering surfaces. • Cleaned & disinfected with each change of use and at least daily. A solution of 500 ppm – 800 ppm chlorine shall be used or EPA-registered product.

15. Storage .2820 • Hazardous materials shall be kept locked when not in use. Locked rooms/cabinets shall include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent device. Unlocking devices shall be kept out of reach. • Toxic substances shall be stored below or separate from medicine & food. • Designated emergency medications shall be stored out of reach of children, do not have to be locked.

16. Storage .2820 • Products labeled “keep out of reach of children” without any other warning shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use. Not require to be kept locked (non-aerosol sanitizers, disinfectants, detergents, hand sanitizers, hand lotions) • Storage at or above 5 feet in a cabinet or shelf above the finished floor is considered inaccessible. • Employee purses/personal effects kept out of reach of children.

17. Toys, Equipment, Furniture .2822 • In rooms designated for children not toilet trained, toys & other mouth-contact surfaces shall be cleaned & sanitized daily when used & more frequently if visibly dirty. • Scrubbed in warm soapy water using a brush, rinsed. submerged in sanitizer 50 ppm – 200 ppm for 2 minutes and air dried. • Other methods may be approved. For example, hard plastic toys (dishwasher), soft toys (washing machine), non-submergible toys (clean & spray on sanitizer, air dry).

18. Carpet Cleaning .2824 • Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily, when children are not present except to clean spills or if using a HEPA vacuum (99.97% efficient at 0.3 micron particulate size) • Wall-to-wall carpets shall be cleaned using extraction methods at least once each 6 months. • Carpets must be completely dry within 12 hours of cleaning.

19. Animal /Vermin Control .2831 • Pets shall have vaccination records required by state law or local ordinance available for review. • Turtles, iguanas, other reptiles prohibited. • Traps shall be inaccessible to children. No pesticides applied or used when children are present.

20. Outdoor Learning Environments .2832 • Hand sanitizers allowed for handwashing while outdoors. • Air quality forecast outdoor activity restrictions. • Activities normally occurring indoors (food service, etc.) are allowed in the OLE if in compliance with applicable rules

21. Compliance, Inspections and Reports .2834 • An inspection shall be conducted within 30 days when requested by an operator. • Unannounced inspections made once each 6 months. Original copy sent to DCD. • Demerits are listed for each occurrence in this section. • Procedure for disapproval when inspection is denied/stopped. • Inspection for licensing vs. when children are present.

22. Appeals .2835 • Appeals concerning the enforcement of the Child Care Sanitation Rules should be made to DCD.

23. Mildly Ill Children .2836 • Provides guidance and regulation for centers licensed to care for mildly ill children. • Inspection required before keeping mildly ill children. • Additional requirements are specified. For example, no water fountains, cloth diapers, 36 inch separation/partitions/beds, caregivers can’t prepare food, no carpet, no family-style food, handwashing frequency, glove use, waste disposal.

24. Grade Sheet • 48 items on grade sheet (was 55 items). • 190 demerits (was 235 demerits). • 14 6-demerit items (was 15).

25. Contact Information • CEHB Website