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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Contact Information CEHB Website