Infant Care Center Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment, and Supplies

101439

(a) In addition to Section 101239, and notwithstanding Section 101239(h), the following shall apply:

(b) The infant care center shall be equipped with appropriate furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, cribs, cots or mats; changing tables; and feeding chairs.

(c) The type, height and size of furniture and equipment shall be age appropriate.

(d) Swings, playpens and all such equipment and furniture shall be assembled or installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and shall be maintained in good repair and safe condition.

(1) Equipment that is purchased already assembled shall not be modified.

(2) A baby walker shall not be allowed on the premises of a child care center in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 1596.846.

Health and Safety Code Sections 1596.846(b) and (c) state:

(b) A baby walker shall not be kept or used on the premises of a child day care facility.

(c) A "baby walker" means any article described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1500.86 of Part 1500 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(e) High chairs or low-wheeled feeding tables and any such equipment used for seating an infant shall have broad-base legs.

(1) Seats and backrests shall be made of washable and moisture-resistant material.

(2) An infant shall not be permitted to pull on or climb on or into a high chair.

(3) Whenever an infant is in a high chair, the tray shall be properly latched on both sides.

(4) An infant shall not be permitted to stand up in a high chair.

(5) No infant shall be left unattended while in a high chair.

(f) All such equipment or furniture shall be washed with a detergent/disinfectant after each use as specified in Section 101438.1.

(g) Furniture shall be maintained in good repair and safe condition.

(h) Infant changing tables shall:

(1) Have a padded surface no less than one-inch thick and be covered with washable vinyl or plastic.

(2) Have raised sides at least three inches high.

(3) Be maintained in good repair and safe condition.

(4) While in use, be placed within arm's reach of a sink.

(5) Not be located in the kitchen/food-preparation area.

(i) There shall be a minimum of one hand washing sink to every 15 infants and one potty chair to every five infants being toilet trained.

(1) If sufficient potty chairs are not available for the number of infants being toilet trained, a combination of potty chairs and toilets with training seats may be used to meet the ratio specified in (i) above.

(2) Infants shall not be permitted to play with potty chairs.

(j) Toilets and potty chairs and hand washing sinks for infants shall be in close proximity to indoor and outdoor activity space.

(k) Toy storage containers shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Lids and the hardware used to hinge lids on boxes or chests shall be removed.

(2) All edges and corners shall be rounded and padded.

(3) The container shall be well ventilated.

(4) The container shall not be lockable.

(5) The container shall be maintained in good repair and safe condition.

(A) Metal toy boxes shall not have rough or sharp edges, and wooden toy boxes shall not have splinters and other rough areas.

(l) Toys shall be safe, and shall not have sharp points or edges or splinters, or be made of small parts that can be pulled off and swallowed.

(1) The combination of toys shall provide and encourage:

(A) Auditory stimulation.

(B) Visual stimulation.

(C) Tactile stimulation.

(D) Manipulative skills.

(2) Pacifiers shall have a shield or guard large enough so that infants cannot choke on them.

(3) Rattles shall be large enough so that they cannot become lodged in an infant's throat and constructed so that they will not separate into small pieces.

(4) It is recommended that centers comply with the following U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advice for the selection and safe use of children's toys:

(A) Avoid toys with small parts.

(B) Look for labels that give an age recommendation.

(C) Toys should be suited to the skills, abilities and interests of children.

(m) Fixtures, furniture, equipment, supplies and toys shall not be made of or contain toxic materials or substances.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1596.72 and 1596.81, Health and Safety Code.