Chapter DCF 251

DCF 251.07(6)(e)1. 1. No child or other person with a reportable communicable disease specified in ch. DHS 145 may be admitted to or permitted to remain in a center during the period when the disease is communicable.

DCF 251.07(6)(e)3. 3. An employee, volunteer or a child may be readmitted to the group child care center if there is a statement from a physician that the condition is no longer contagious or if the person has been absent for a period of time equal to the longest usual incubation period for the disease as specified by the department.

DCF 251.07 Note Note: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, has developed materials that identify those communicable diseases that are required to be reported to the local public health officer. These materials also provide additional guidance on the symptoms of each disease and information on how long an infected child must be excluded from the center. The materials include a communicable disease chart and exclusion guidelines for child care centers. Copies of the communicable disease chart or the exclusion guidelines for child care centers are available from the Child Care Information Center at 800-362-7353.

DCF 251.07(6)(f) (f) Medications.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)1. 1. Center staff may give prescription or non-prescription medication, such as pain relievers, teething gels or cough syrup, to a child only under the following conditions:

DCF 251.07(6)(f)1.a. a. A written authorization that includes the child’s name and birthdate, name of medication, administration instructions, medication intervals and length of the authorization dated and signed by the parent is on file. Blanket authorizations that exceed the length of time specified on the label are prohibited.

DCF 251.07 Note Note: The department’s form, Authorization to Administer Medication — Child Care Centers, is used to obtain the parent’s authorization to provide medications. Information on how to obtain the department’s form is available on the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or from any regional licensing office in Appendix A.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)1.b. b. The medication is in the original container and labeled with the child’s name and the label includes the dosage and directions for administration.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)3. 3. Medication shall be stored so that it is not accessible to the children.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)4. 4. Medication requiring refrigeration shall be kept in the refrigerator in a separate, covered container clearly labeled “medication”.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)5. 5. All medication for a child in care shall be administered by the center as directed on the label and as authorized by the parent.

DCF 251.07(6)(f)6. 6. No medication intended for use by a child in the care of the center may be kept at the center without a current medication administration authorization from the parent.

DCF 251.07(6)(g) (g) Health precautions.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)1. 1. Bodily secretions, such as runny noses, eye drainage, and coughed-up matter shall be wiped with a disposable tissue used once and placed in a plastic-lined container.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)2. 2. Surfaces exposed to bodily secretions including walls, floors, toys, equipment, and furnishings shall be washed with soap and water and disinfected. The disinfectant solution shall be registered with the U.S. environmental protection agency as a disinfectant and have instructions for use as a disinfectant on the label. The solution shall be prepared and applied as indicated on the label.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)3. 3. As appropriate, children shall be protected from sunburn and insect bites with protective clothing, sunscreen, or insect repellent. Sunscreen and insect repellent may only be applied upon the written authorization of the parent. The authorization shall include the ingredient strength and be reviewed and updated every 6 months. If sunscreen or insect repellent is provided by the parent, the sunscreen or repellent shall be labeled with the child’s name. Recording the application of sunscreen or insect repellent is not necessary.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)4. 4. Children shall be clothed to ensure body warmth and comfort.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)5. 5. Center staff shall adopt and follow universal precautions when exposed to blood and blood-containing bodily fluids and injury discharges.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)6. 6. Single use disposable gloves shall be worn if there is contact with blood-containing bodily fluids or tissue discharges. Gloves shall be discarded in plastic bags.

DCF 251.07(6)(g)7. 7. Wet or soiled clothing shall be changed promptly from an available supply of clean clothing.

DCF 251.07(6)(i) (i) Personal cleanliness.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)1. 1. A child’s hands shall be washed with soap and warm running water before meals and snacks, after handling a pet or animal, and after toileting or diapering. A child’s hands and face shall be washed when soiled. For children under one year of age, hands may be washed with soap and a wet fabric or paper washcloth that is used once and discarded.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)2. 2. Persons working with children shall wash their hands with soap and warm running water before handling food, before and after assisting with toileting and diapering, after wiping bodily secretions from a child with a disposable tissue, and after exposure to blood or bodily fluids. If gloves are used, hands shall be washed after the removal of gloves.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)3. 3. Personal use items, such as cups, eating utensils, toothbrushes, combs, and towels may not be shared and shall be kept in a sanitary condition.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)4. 4. Wet or soiled clothing and diapers shall be changed promptly from an available supply of clean clothing.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)5. 5. Applicable rules under s. DCF 251.09 (4) (a), (c), and (d) shall apply when children 2 years of age and older require attention for diapering and toileting.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)6. 6. If running water is not immediately available when outdoors or on field trips, soap and water-based wet wipes may be used. When running water becomes available, hands must be washed immediately with soap and running water.

DCF 251.07(6)(i)7. 7. Disinfecting hand sanitizers may not replace the use of soap and water when washing hands.

DCF 251.07(6)(j) (j) Injuries.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)1. 1. Written permission from the parent to call a child’s physician or refer the child for medical care in case of injury shall be on file at the center. The center shall contact the parent as soon as possible after an emergency has occurred or, if the injury is minor, when the parent picks up the child.

DCF 251.07 Note Note: The center may use the department’s form, Child Care Enrollment, or its own form for obtaining medical consent from the parent. The form is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)2. 2. A center shall identify a planned source of emergency medical care, such as a hospital emergency room, clinic or other constantly staffed facility, and shall advise parents about the designated emergency medical facility.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)3. 3. A center shall establish and follow written procedures for bringing a child to an emergency medical care facility and for treatment of minor injuries.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)4. 4. First aid procedures shall be followed for serious injuries.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)5. 5. Each center shall have a supply of bandages, tape, and Band-Aids.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)6. 6. Superficial wounds shall be cleaned with soap and water only and protected with a bandaid or bandage.

DCF 251.07(6)(j)7. 7. Suspected poisoning shall be treated only after consultation with a poison control center.

DCF 251.07(7) (7) Pets and animals.

DCF 251.07(7)(a) (a) Animals shall be maintained in good health and appropriately immunized against rabies. Rabies vaccinations shall be documented with a current certificate from a veterinarian.

DCF 251.07 Note Note: Service animals used to assist persons with a disability are not considered pets when they are used as a service animal.

DCF 251.07(7)(b) (b) Animals that pose any risk to the children shall be restricted from the indoor and outdoor areas used by children.

DCF 251.07(7)(c) (c) Licensees shall ensure that parents are aware of the presence of pets and animals in the center. If pets and animals are allowed to roam in areas of the center occupied by children, written acknowledgement from the parents shall be obtained. If pets are added after a child is enrolled, parents shall be notified in writing prior to the pets’ addition to the center.

DCF 251.07(7)(d) (d) Reptiles, amphibians, turtles, ferrets, poisonous animals, psittacine birds, exotic and wild animals may not be accessible to children.

DCF 251.07 Note Note: Psittacine birds are hooked-billed birds of the parrot family that have 2 toes forward and 2 toes backward and include parrots, macaws, grays, lovebirds and cockatoos.

DCF 251.07(7)(e) (e) All contact between pets or animals and children shall be under the close supervision of a child care worker who is close enough to remove the child immediately if the pet or animal shows signs of distress or the child shows signs of treating the pet or animal inappropriately.

DCF 251.07(7)(f) (f) Pets in classrooms shall be confined in cages while food is being prepared or served in the classroom. Pets, cages and litter boxes are prohibited in kitchens, lunch rooms, and food storage areas. Pet and animal feeding dishes, excluding water dishes, and litter boxes may not be placed in areas accessible to children.

DCF 251.07(7)(g) (g) Indoor and outdoor areas accessible to children shall be free of animal excrement.

DCF 251.07(7)(h) (h) If dogs or cats are allowed in areas of the center accessible to children, the certificate of insurance required under s. DCF 251.04 (2) (g) shall indicate the number and types of pets covered by the insurance.

DCF 251.07(7)(i) (i) Licensees shall ensure that the center is in compliance with all applicable local ordinances regarding the number, types and health status of pets or animals.

DCF 251.07(8) (8) Miscellaneous activities. A center that includes in its program watercraft, riflery, archery, horseback riding, or adventure-based activities shall comply with the applicable requirements under s. DCF 252.44 (8), (9), (11), and (13).

DCF 251.07 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97; CR 03-052: am. (1) (a) (intro.), (2) (b) and (e) (intro.), 1. and 3., Table 46.07 (title), (5) (a) 9., (6) (d) 5. (intro.), (e) 1., 2. and 3., (f) 1., a. and c., (6) (j) 5. and 9. and (k) 5., cr. (5) (a) 9m. and (6) (f) 2., renum. (6) (f) 2. and 3. to be 3. and 4., r. and recr. (7) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; corrections in (6) (e), (i) 5., (L), (7) (h) and (8) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (1) (a), (2) (e) (intro.), 1., (4) (b), (5) (a) 5. (intro.), (6) (a) 2., (c) (intro.), (e) 2., 3., (f) 1. (intro.), c., 2., (g) 3., (j) 8., 9., (k) 1., 2. and (7) (f), cr. (1) (a) 7., (2) (e) 5., (3) (f), (5) (a) 6m., (6) (f) 5., 6., (i) 6. and 7. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; 2015 Wis. Act 132: am. (6) (k) 3. Register February 2016 No. 722, eff. 3-1-16; EmR1918: emerg. am. (2) (b), (c), (3) (title), (a) (intro.), cr. (3) (a) 5., r. and recr. (3) (e), cr. (3) (g) to (i), r. and recr. (4) (c), cr. (4) (cm), am. (4) (d), (e), (5) (title), (a) 4., cr. (5) (a) 4m., r. (5) (a) 5. d., cr. (5) (a) 5m., r. (5) (a) 7., am. (5) (s) 8., 9., r. and recr. (5) (b) (title), cr. (5) (b) 3. to 5., renum. (6) (a) 1. to (6) (a), r. (6) (a) 2., am. (6) (b), r. and recr. (6) (c), cr. (6) (dm), am. (6) (e) 1., r. (6) (e) 2., (f) 1. c., 2., r. and recr. (6) (g), r. (6) (h), am. (6) (i) 1. to 3., 5., r. (6) (j) 8., 9., (k), (L), am. (8), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: am. (2) (b), (c), (3) (title), (a) (intro.), cr. (3) (a) 5., r. and recr. (3) (e), cr. (3) (g) to (i), r. and recr. (4) (c), cr. (4) (cm), am. (4) (d), (e), (5) (title), (a) 4., cr. (5) (a) 4m., r. (5) (a) 5. d., cr. (5) (a) 5m., r. (5) (a) 7., am. (5) (s) 8., 9., r. and recr. (5) (b) (title), cr. (5) (b) 3. to 5., renum. (6) (a) 1. to (6) (a), r. (6) (a) 2., am. (6) (b), r. and recr. (6) (c), cr. (6) (dm), am. (6) (e) 1., r. (6) (e) 2., (f) 1. c., 2., r. and recr. (6) (g), r. (6) (h), am. (6) (i) 1. to 3., 5., r. (6) (j) 8., 9., (k), (L), am. (8) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; correction in (4) (cm) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2020 No. 771; CR 21-100: am. (1) (a) (intro.), r. and recr. (2) (a) 1., (c), r. (2) (d), am. (6) (g) 4., cr. (6) (g) 7. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23; correction in (2) (a) 1. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2024 No. 817.

DCF 251.08 DCF 251.08 Transportation.

DCF 251.08(1) (1) Applicability.

DCF 251.08(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), this section applies to all transportation of children in care, including both regularly scheduled transportation to and from the center and field trip transportation if any of the following apply:

DCF 251.08(1)(a)1. 1. The licensee owns or leases the vehicle used.

DCF 251.08(1)(a)2. 2. The licensee contracts with another individual or organization that owns or leases the vehicle used.

DCF 251.08(1)(a)3. 3. Employees, parents, or volunteers are transporting children at the direction, at the request, or on behalf of the licensee.

DCF 251.08(1)(b) (b) The following requirements do not apply to transportation provided in vehicles owned and driven by parents or volunteers who are not counted in the staff-to-child ratios in s. DCF 251.055 (2) (b):

DCF 251.08(1)(b)1. 1. The requirement that a licensee obtain a copy of the driver’s driving record and review it under sub. (4) (c).

DCF 251.08(1)(b)2. 2. The requirement to provide evidence that the vehicle is in safe operating condition at 12-month intervals under sub. (5) (b).

DCF 251.08(1)(b)3. 3. The requirements related to child care vehicle safety alarms under sub. (8).

DCF 251.08(1)(c) (c) The licensee shall document in its policies that transportation provided through a written or verbal contract with another individual or organization meets the requirements of this section.

DCF 251.08(2) (2) Permission and emergency information. Before transporting a child, a licensee shall obtain signed permission from the parent for transportation and emergency information for each child. The form shall include all of the following information:

DCF 251.08(2)(a) (a) The purpose of the transportation and the parent or guardian’s permission to transport the child for that purpose.

DCF 251.08(2)(b) (b) An address and telephone number where a parent or other adult can be reached in an emergency.

DCF 251.08(2)(c) (c) The name, address, and telephone number of the child’s health care provider.

DCF 251.08(2)(d) (d) Written consent from the child’s parent or guardian for emergency medical treatment.

DCF 251.08 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form, Child Care Enrollment, to obtain consent of the child’s parent for emergency medical treatment. Information on how to obtain forms is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 251.08(3) (3) Required information for each trip. The licensee shall ensure that written documentation of all of the following is maintained at the center and in any vehicle transporting children while the children are being transported:

DCF 251.08(3)(a) (a) A list of the children being transported.

DCF 251.08(3)(b) (b) A copy of the completed permission and emergency information form under sub. (2) for each child being transported.

DCF 251.08(3)(c) (c) For transportation to or from a child’s home or school, the transportation route and scheduled stops.

DCF 251.08(4) (4) Driver.

DCF 251.08(4)(a) (a) The driver of a vehicle used to transport children in care shall be at least 18 years of age and shall hold a valid driver’s license for the state where the driver resides and for the type of vehicle driven.

DCF 251.08(4)(b) (b) Before a driver who is not the licensee first transports children, the licensee shall provide the driver with a training. The licensee shall review, document, and update the training as necessary with each driver annually. The training shall include all of the following:

DCF 251.08(4)(b)1. 1. The procedure for ensuring that all children are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seat.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)2. 2. The procedure for loading, unloading, and tracking of children being transported.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)3. 3. The procedure for evacuating the children from a vehicle in an emergency.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)4. 4. Behavior management techniques for use with children being transported.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)5. 5. A review of this chapter and applicable statutes under s. 347.48, Stats.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)6. 6. A review of applicable center policies.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)7. 7. First aid procedures.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)8. 8. A review of child abuse and neglect laws and center reporting procedures.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)9. 9. Information on any special needs a child being transported may have and the plan for how those needs will be met.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)10. 10. A review of the use of the vehicle alarm, if applicable.

DCF 251.08(4)(b)11. 11. Any other job responsibilities as determined by the licensee.

DCF 251.08(4)(c) (c)

DCF 251.08(4)(c)1. 1. Prior to the day a driver first transports children in care and annually thereafter, the licensee shall obtain a copy of the driving record for each driver and place the record in the staff file. The licensee shall review each driving record to ensure that the driver has no accidents or traffic violations that would indicate that having children ride with the driver could pose a threat to the children.

DCF 251.08(4)(c)2. 2. In determining whether a driver may pose a threat to the children, the licensee shall consider the totality of the driver’s record, any other relevant facts, and the following factors in combination: