Chapter DCF 251

DCF 251.08(8)(c) (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.

DCF 251.08 Note 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.

DCF 251.08 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97; CR 03-052: r. and recr. (3) and (7), am. (4) (b) and (5) (d), cr. (4) (d) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; CR 07-102: am. (1), (3) (b), (4) (d), (5) (b) 1. and (6) (b), r. and recr. (2) (a), cr. (3) (c), (4) (b) 2. to 5. and (5) (e), renum. (4) (b) to be (4) (b) 1. and am. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; CR 14-028: cr. (8) Register July 2016 No. 727, eff. 8-1-16; EmR1918: emerg. r. and recr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: r. and recr. Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20.

DCF 251.09 DCF 251.09 Additional requirements for infant and toddler care.

DCF 251.09(1) (1) Applicability and general requirements.

DCF 251.09(1)(a) (a) Group child care centers providing care and supervision to infants and toddlers shall comply with the additional requirements of this section.

DCF 251.09(1)(am) (am) Prior to admission, the licensee shall obtain written information from a child’s parent or guardian 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:

DCF 251.09(1)(am)1. 1. Schedule of meals and feeding.

DCF 251.09(1)(am)2. 2. Types of food introduced and timetable for new foods.

DCF 251.09(1)(am)3. 3. Toileting and diapering procedures.

DCF 251.09(1)(am)4. 4. Sleep and nap schedule.

DCF 251.09(1)(am)5. 5. The child’s way of communicating and being comforted.

DCF 251.09(1)(am)6. 6. Developmental and health history.

DCF 251.09 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form, Intake for Child Under 2 Years — Child Care Centers, or the licensee’s own form to record information for individualizing the program of care for each child. 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 251.09(1)(b) (b) Admission information for an infant or toddler shall be on file in the room or area to which the child is assigned and shall be known to the child care worker.

DCF 251.09(1)(c) (c) Child care workers shall document changes in a child’s development and routines every 3 months based on discussion with the parent.

DCF 251.09(1)(d) (d) Each infant and toddler shall be cared for by a regularly assigned child care worker in a self-contained room or area.

DCF 251.09(1)(e) (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 preservice entry-level training under s. DCF 251.05 (3) (f) or (g) it shall be obtained through continuing education.

DCF 251.09(1)(f) (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 where care may be provided for children under 30 months of age.

DCF 251.09(1)(g) (g) Safety gates shall be provided at open stairways.

DCF 251.09(1)(h) (h) For centers licensed on or after January 1, 2009, the space occupied by cribs shall be deducted in determining the 35 square feet space requirement under s. DCF 251.06 (7) (a) for each child.

DCF 251.09(1)(i) (i) The number of children under one year of age admitted at any one time may not exceed the number of cribs and playpens.

DCF 251.09(1)(j) (j) Cribs and playpens shall contain a tight-fitting mattress and a mattress covering that fits snugly over the mattress.

DCF 251.09(1)(k) (k) Sheets or blankets used to cover a child one year of age or older shall be kept away from the child’s mouth and nose, and if sleeping in a crib or playpen shall be tucked tightly under the mattress.

DCF 251.09(1)(L) (L) 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, 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.

DCF 251.09(1)(m) (m) An audio monitoring device shall be used in any area or room where children under one year of age are placed to sleep.

DCF 251.09(1)(n) (n) Waterbeds may not be used by children under 2 years of age.

DCF 251.09(2) (2) Daily program. In addition to the requirements under s. DCF 251.07, all of the following apply to the care of infants and toddlers:

DCF 251.09(2)(a) (a) Child care workers shall respond promptly to a crying child’s needs.

DCF 251.09(2)(b) (b) Each infant and each toddler shall be allowed to form and follow his or her own pattern of sleeping and waking.

DCF 251.09(2)(bm) (bm) Each child under one year of age shall be placed to sleep on his or her back in a crib unless otherwise specified in writing by the child’s physician. The child shall be allowed to assume the position most comfortable to him or her when able to roll over unassisted.

DCF 251.09(2)(c) (c) Emphasis in activities shall be given to play as a learning and growth experience.

DCF 251.09(2)(d) (d) Throughout the day each infant and each toddler shall receive physical contact and attention such as being held, rocked, talked to, sung to and taken on walks inside and outside the center.

DCF 251.09(2)(e) (e) Routines relating to activities such as taking a nap, eating, diapering and toileting shall be used as occasions for language development and other learning experiences.

DCF 251.09(2)(f) (f) When a non-mobile child is awake, the child care worker shall change the child’s body position and location in the room periodically. Non-mobile children who are awake shall be placed on their stomach occasionally throughout the day.

DCF 251.09(2)(g) (g) The non-walking child who can creep or crawl shall be given opportunities during each day to move freely by creeping and crawling in a safe, clean, open, warm and uncluttered area.

DCF 251.09(2)(h) (h) Child care workers shall encourage infants and toddlers to play with a wide variety of safe toys and objects.

DCF 251.09(2)(j) (j) When infants and toddlers are taken outdoors for a walk, equipment, such as strollers or wagons, shall be provided.

DCF 251.09(2)(k) (k) An adult-size rocking chair or other adult-size chair shall be provided for each child care worker.

DCF 251.09(3) (3) Feeding.

DCF 251.09(3)(a) (a) Child care workers shall do all of the following:

DCF 251.09(3)(a)1. 1. Feed each infant and each toddler on the child’s own feeding schedule.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)2. 2. Ensure that food, breast milk, and formula brought from home are labeled with the child’s name and the date and are refrigerated, if required.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)2m. 2m. Ensure each infant and toddler is correctly fed the food, breastmilk, or formula labeled with the infant’s or toddler’s name.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)3. 3. Ensure that 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.

DCF 251.09 Note Note: Information on the meal program requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program may be found on the following website, http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)7. 7. Discard leftover milk or formula within 2 hours after each feeding and rinse bottles after use.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)8. 8. Offer drinking water to infants and toddlers, as appropriate, several times daily.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)9. 9. Hold a child who is unable to hold a bottle whenever a bottle is given. Bottles may not be propped.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)10. 10. Cover, date and refrigerate commercial baby food containers which are opened and foods prepared in the center which are stored. If not used within 36 hours, leftover food shall be discarded.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)11. 11. Hold or place a child too young to sit in a high chair in an infant seat during feeding. Wide-based high chairs, hook-on chairs or infant seats with safety straps shall be provided for children who are not developmentally able to sit at tables and chairs.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)12. 12. Encourage children to experiment with self-feeding with their hands and spoons. Eating utensils and cups shall be scaled to the size and developmental level of the children.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)13. 13. Offer a variety of nourishing foods to each child according to the child’s developmental level and the parent’s feeding instructions.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)14. 14. Refrain from feeding a child directly from commercial food containers.

DCF 251.09(3)(a)15. 15. Refrain from heating breast milk or formula in a microwave oven.

DCF 251.09(3)(b) (b) Procedures for heating infant formula, milk, and food shall be posted, and child care workers shall follow the posted procedures.

DCF 251.09(3)(c) (c) Infant bottles and nipples may not be reused without first being cleaned and sanitized.

DCF 251.09(4) (4) Diapering and toileting.

DCF 251.09(4)(a) (a) Child care workers shall do all of the following:

DCF 251.09(4)(a)1. 1. Plan toilet training in cooperation with the parent so that a child’s toilet routine is consistent between the center and the child’s home, except that no routine attempts may be made to toilet train a child under 18 months of age.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)2. 2. Change wet or soiled diapers promptly.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)3. 3. Change each child on an easily cleanable surface that is cleaned with soap and water and a disinfectant solution after each use. 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 251.09(4)(a)4. 4. If the diapering surface is above floor level, provide a barrier or restraint to prevent falling. A child may not be left unattended on the diapering surface.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)5. 5. Place disposable soiled diapers and gloves, if used, in a plastic-lined, hands-free, covered container immediately.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)6. 6. Place parent-supplied soiled cloth diapers in labeled plastic bags which are kept separate from other clothing.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)7. 7. Place center-supplied soiled cloth diapers in a plastic-lined, covered container for washing by a commercial diaper service.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)8. 8. Remove soiled diapers from containers as needed but at least daily for washing or disposal. Containers shall be washed and disinfected daily.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)10. 10. Apply lotions, powders or salves to a child during diapering only at the specific written direction of the child’s parent or the child’s physician. The directions on use shall be posted in the diaper changing area. Recording the use of lotions, powders or salves during diapering in the medical log book is not required.

DCF 251.09(4)(a)11. 11. Wash the child’s diaper area before each diapering with a disposable or fabric towel used only once.

DCF 251.09(4)(b) (b) Each self-contained classroom or area serving infants or toddlers who are diapered shall have a sink with hot and cold running water which is not used for food preparation or dishwashing within the room or area.

DCF 251.09(4)(c) (c) There shall be a solid barrier between the diapering area and any food preparation area.

DCF 251.09(4)(d) (d) There shall be a supply of diapers sufficient to meet the needs of the children using diapers at the center.

DCF 251.09 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97; CR 03-052: renum. (1) (a) to be (am), am. (1) (title) and (intro.), (f), (2) (f) and (3) (a) 4., cr. (1) (j) to (L) and (2) (bm), r. (3) (a) 5. Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; corrections in (1) (e) and (h) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (1) (d) (intro.), 1., 2., (h), (4) (a) 3., 5. and 10. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; 2015 Wis. Act 132: am. (1) (e) Register February 2016 No. 722, eff. 3-1-16; EmR1918: emerg. am. (1) (am) (intro.), renum. (1) (d) (intro.) to (1) (d) and am., r. (1) (d) 1., 2., am. (1) (e), (f), (k), (L), cr. (2) (intro.), r. (2) (i), am. (2) (j), (k), (3) (a) 2., 3., r. (3) (a) 4., 6., am. (3) (a) 8., 9., 13., 15., (b), cr. (3) (c), am. (4) (a) 2., 3., r. (4) (a) 9., am. (4) (d), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: am. (1) (am) (intro.), renum. (1) (d) (intro.) to (1) (d) and am., r. (1) (d) 1., 2., am. (1) (e), (f), (k), (L), cr. (2) (intro.), r. (2) (i), am. (2) (j), (k), (3) (a) 2., 3., r. (3) (a) 4., 6., am. (3) (a) 8., 9., 13., 15., (b), cr. (3) (c), am. (4) (a) 2., 3., r. (4) (a) 9., am. (4) (d) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; CR 21-100: am. (1) (j), cr. (1) (m), (n), (3) (a) 2m., am. (3) (a) 7. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23.

DCF 251.094 DCF 251.094 Staff in school-age programs.

DCF 251.094(1) (1) Applicability.

DCF 251.094(1)(a) (a) This section applies to group child care centers that serve only school-age children and group child care centers that serve school-age children in groups separate from children who are under 5 years of age.

DCF 251.094(1)(b) (b) Except for s. DCF 251.09, all requirements under ss. DCF 251.04 to 251.12 apply to school-age programs in addition to or except as specified in this section and s. DCF 251.095.

DCF 251.094(2) (2) School-age administrator.

DCF 251.094(2)(a) (a) The licensee may act as a school-age administrator. If the licensee does not act as the school-age administrator, the licensee shall designate a person or persons to be the school-age administrator. The school-age administrator shall be responsible for overall organizational management, including personnel, finance, physical plant, and the implementation of policies and procedures.

DCF 251.094(2)(b) (b) A school-age administrator, including a licensee that is a school-age administrator, shall meet either the qualifications of an administrator under s. DCF 251.05 (3) (d) 2. to 5. or the qualifications in this subsection.

DCF 251.094(2)(c) (c) A school-age administrator shall be at least 21 years of age and have completed high school or its equivalent, as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.

DCF 251.094(2)(d) (d)

DCF 251.094(2)(d)1. 1. Before a person assumes the position of school-age administrator, the person shall have all the following:

DCF 251.094(2)(d)1.a. a. At least one year of experience as a manager or satisfactory completion of a department-approved course in business or program administration.

DCF 251.094(2)(d)1.b. b. One year of experience as a school-age director or satisfactory completion of a noncredit department-approved course or course for credit in school-age child growth and development.

DCF 251.094(2)(d)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., a person is not required to complete the preservice training specified in subd. 1. if the person was employed as an administrator in a school-age program prior to March 1, 2023, and met the preservice training requirements at that time.

DCF 251.094(2)(e) (e) Within one year after assuming the position, each school-age administrator shall complete at least 10 hours of training in supervision or personnel management if the school-age administrator has not previously received that training. The training may be counted as part of the annual continuing education requirement.

DCF 251.094(2m) (2m) School-age administrator and school-age director. An individual may perform the duties of both a school-age administrator under sub. (2) (a) and a school-age director under sub. (3) (a) if the individual meets the qualifications for both positions under subs. (2) (b) to (e) and (3) (b) to (d).

DCF 251.094(3) (3) School-age director.