10. A review of the use of the vehicle alarm, if applicable.
11. Any other job responsibilities as determined by the licensee.
(c) 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.
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:
a. The seriousness of any accidents or violations.
b. How much time has passed since an accident or violation occurred.
c. The number of accidents or violations.
d. The likelihood that a similar incident will occur.
3. A driver whose driving record indicates that the driver poses a threat to the children may not transport children.
(f) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a driver of a vehicle that is transporting children in care may not use a cellular phone or other wireless telecommunication device while loading, unloading, or transporting children, except when the vehicle is out of traffic, not in operation, and any of the following applies:
1. The phone or device is used to call 911.
2. The phone or device is used to communicate with emergency responders.
3. The phone or device is used to communicate with the center regarding an emergency situation.
2. A navigation device may be used during transportation if the device is programmed to a destination when the vehicle is out of traffic and not in operation.
(5) Vehicle. (a) The licensee shall ensure that each vehicle that is used to transport children is all of the following:
1. Registered with the Wisconsin department of transportation or the appropriate authority in another state.
2. Clean, uncluttered, and free of obstruction on the floors, aisles, and seats.
3. Enclosed. Children may not be transported in a truck except in the cab.
4. In safe operating condition.
(b) At 12-month intervals the licensee shall provide the department with evidence of a vehicle’s safe operating condition on a form provided by the department.
Note: The department’s form, Vehicle Safety Inspection, is used to record evidence of the vehicle’s safe operating condition. Information on how to obtain forms is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs. (c) At least once per year, the licensee shall make available to the department each vehicle that is required to have a child safety alarm under sub. (8) (a) to determine whether the child safety alarm is in good working order.
(d) Hired or contracted school buses used to transport children shall be in compliance with ch. Trans 300. (6) Seat belts and child safety restraints. (a) No person may transport a child under the age of 8 in a motor vehicle, unless the child is restrained in a child safety restraint system that is appropriate to the child’s age and size and in accordance with s. 347.48 Stats., and ch. Trans 310. (b) 1. Each child who is not required to be in an individual child car safety seat or booster seat when being transported under par. (a) shall be properly restrained by a seat belt in accordance with s. 347.48, Stats., and ch. Trans 315. 2. Each adult in the vehicle shall be properly restrained by a seat belt in accordance with s. 347.48, Stats., and ch. Trans 315. 3. Seat belts may not be shared.
(c) Children transported in school buses or vehicles built to school bus standards shall be properly seated according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
(d) Children under age 13 years who are in the care of the center may not ride in the front seat of a vehicle.
(7) Vehicle capacity and supervision. (a) The center shall be responsible for a child from the time the child is placed in a vehicle until the children reaches his or her destination and is released to a person responsible for the child. A parent of a school age child may authorize a child to enter a building unescorted.
(b) Children may not be left unattended in a vehicle.
(c) When children are transported in a vehicle, there shall be at least one adult supervisor in addition to the driver whenever there are more than 3 children who are either under 2 years of age or who have a disability that limits their ability to respond to an emergency.
(d) The licensee shall develop and implement a procedure to ensure that all children exit the vehicle after being transported to a destination.
(e) No child may be in a vehicle for transport to or from a center, a field trip, or other center activity for more than 60 minutes for a one-way trip.
(8) Child care vehicle safety alarm. (a) A vehicle shall be equipped with a child safety alarm that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting if all of the following conditions apply:
1. The vehicle is owned or leased by a licensee or a contractor of a licensee.
2. The vehicle has a seating capacity of 6 or more passengers plus the driver. The seating capacity of the vehicle shall be determined by the manufacturer.
3. The vehicle is used to transport children in care.
(b) No person may shut off a child safety alarm unless the driver first inspects the vehicle to ensure that no child is left unattended in the vehicle.
(c) The child safety alarm shall be in good working order each time the vehicle is used for transporting children to or from a center.
Note: Information on the required vehicle safety alarm is available in the “child care licensing/information for providers” section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov. SECTION 306. DCF 251.09 (1) (am) (intro.)is amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (1) (am) (intro.) Prior to admission, an interview shall be conducted with the licensee shall obtain written information from a child’s parent or guardian to obtain written information which will aid child care workers in individualizing to individualize the program of care for the child. Child care workers shall use the information obtained from parents to provide care to the child. Information shall include all of the following:
SECTION 307. DCF 251.09 (1) (d) (intro.) is renumbered DCF 251.09 (1) (d) and amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (1) (d) Each infant and toddler shall be cared for by a regularly assigned child care worker in a specific an approved self−contained room or area. Infants and toddlers may not be transferred to the care of another child care worker or another group or room in order to adjust group sizes or staff−to−child ratios, except under one of the following circumstances:
SECTION 308. DCF 251.09 (1) (d) 1. and 2. are repealed.
SECTION 309. DCF 251.09 (1) (e), (f), (k), and (L) are amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (1) (e) The regularly assigned child care teacher and assistant child care teacher for each group of infants and toddlers shall have a minimum of 10 hours of training in infant and toddler care approved by the department within 6 months after assuming the position. If the training is not part of the required pre-service entry−level training under s. DCF 251.05 (1) (2) (f) or (g) it shall be obtained through continuing education. (f) Infants and toddlers are restricted to first floors and ground floors having direct grade−level exits unless the building is in compliance with all applicable building codes that permit children to be cared for on other levels. The building inspection report on file with the licensing office shall indicate that where care may be provided for children under 2 years 30 months of age may be cared for on other levels of the center.
(k) Sheets or blankets used to cover the child a child one year of age or older shall be tucked tightly under the mattress and shall be kept away from the child’s mouth and nose.
(L) Children A child under one year of age may not sleep in a crib or playpen that contains soft or loose materials, such as sheepskins, pillows, fluffy blankets, flat sheets, bumper pads, bibs, pacifiers with attached soft objects, or stuffed animals. No blankets and other items may be hung on the sides of the crib or playpen.
SECTION 310. DCF 251.09 (2) (intro.) is created to read:
DCF 251.09 (2) (intro.) In addition to the requirements under s. DCF 251.07, all of the following apply to the care of infants and toddlers: SECTION 311. DCF 251.09 (2) (i) is repealed.
SECTION 312. DCF 251.09 (2) (j) and (k) and (3) (a) 2. and 3. are amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (2) (j) Equipment When infants and toddlers are taken out doors for a walk, equipment shall be provided to take infants and toddlers out of doors for a walk, such as strollers or wagons.
(k) An adult−size rocking chair or other adult-size chair shall be provided for each child care worker for the purpose of holding and rocking children.
(3) (a) 2. Ensure that food, breast milk, and formula brought from home are labeled with the child’s name, and dated, and are refrigerated, if required.
3. Ensure that formula prepared by the center is of the commercial, iron−enriched type and mixed according to the manufacturer’s directions food, breast milk, and formula offered to infants and toddlers is consistent with the requirements of the U.S. department of agriculture child and adult care food program.
SECTION 313. DCF 251.09 (3) (a) 3. (Note) is created to read:
SECTION 314. DCF 251.09 (3) (a) 4. and 6. are repealed.
SECTION 315. DCF 251.09 (3) (a) 8., 9., 13., and 15. and (b) are amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (3) (a) 8. Offer drinking water to infants and toddlers, as appropriate, several times daily.
9. Hold a child who is unable to hold a bottle whenever a bottle is given. Bottles may not be propped.
13. Offer a variety of nourishing foods to each child, such as cereal, vegetables, fruit, egg yolks and meat, according to the child’s developmental level and the parent’s feeding schedule instructions.
15. Refrain from heating breast milk or formula in a microwave oven.
(b) Procedures for heating infant formula, milk, and food in a microwave oven shall be posted near the microwave oven. Child, and child care workers shall follow the posted procedures for heating food, milk and formula.
SECTION 316. DCF 251.09 (3) (c) is created to read:
DCF 251.09 (3) (c) Infant bottles and nipples may not be reused without first being cleaned and sanitized.
SECTION 317. DCF 251.09 (4) (a) 2. and 3. are amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (4) (a) 2. Change wet or soiled diapers and clothing promptly.
3. Change each child on an easily cleanable surface which that is cleaned with soap and water and a disinfectant solution after each use with a chlorine bleach solution of one tablespoon bleach to one quart of water, made fresh daily, or a quaternary ammonia product prepared in accordance with label directions. 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.
SECTION 318. DCF 251.09 (4) (a) 3. (Note) and 9. are repealed.
SECTION 319. DCF 251.09 (4) (d) is amended to read:
DCF 251.09 (4) (d) There shall be a supply of dry and clean clothing and diapers sufficient to meet the needs of all the children using diapers at the center.
SECTION 320. DCF 251.095 (3) (f) and (g) are created to read:
DCF 251.095 (3) (f) Section DCF 251.06 (2) (o) on the requirement that windows and doors used for ventilation be screened. (g) Section DCF 251.06 (11) (b) 5. on the requirement for an energy absorbing surface on playgrounds to a depth of at least 9 inches. SECTION 321. DCF 251.095 (4) (b) 1., 2., and 3. are amended to read:
DCF 251.095 (4) (b) 1. The administrator of a center serving only school−age children shall meet the requirements in s. DCF 251.05 (1) (2) (d) 2. or shall have department−approved experience, credits, or courses in elementary education, physical education, child guidance, social work, coaching, juvenile justice, or recreation, or other department−approved training. 2. A center director or child care teacher of a center serving only school−age children shall meet the requirements of s. DCF 251.05 (1) (2) (e) or (f), as appropriate, or shall substitute for those requirements department−approved experience, credits or approved courses in elementary education, physical education, child guidance, recreation, coaching, social work, juvenile justice, or other department-approved training. The Wisconsin Afterschool and Youth Credential may be used to meet the requirements for a center director or child care teacher. 3. Each assistant child care teacher shall meet the requirements in s. DCF 251.05 (1) (2) (g) or shall have satisfactorily completed at least 10 hours of training approved by the department in the care of school-age children within 6 months after assuming the position. SECTION 322. DCF 251.095 (4) (c) is repealed.
SECTION 323. DCF 251.10 (1) and (2) (a), (b), and (c) are amended to read:
DCF 251.10 (1) Applicability. Group child care centers which that operate during any period of time between 9:00 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. shall comply with the additional requirements of this section.
