LAC 28:CLXV.311. Specific Certification Requirements for In-Home Child Care Providers

A. To be certified as a CCAP provider, in addition to the requirements in §305, an in-home care provider must meet the following requirements which include, but are not limited to, the requirements for registration as an in-home provider pursuant to R.S. 17:407.61 et seq. 1. Age. Be at least age 18. 2. Telephone. Have a working telephone that is capable of receiving incoming and making outgoing calls and that is available at all times in the home in which care is being provided. Notify the LDOE immediately upon a change in such phone numbers by submitting written notice to the LDOE by fax or email. 3. Costs. Pay costs necessary to obtain required criminal background checks. 4. State Fire Marshal. Provide written verification of current State Fire Marshal approval for the home where care is being provided. 5. Determination of Eligibility for Child Care Purposes. Provide documentation of a CCCBC-based determination of eligibility for child care purposes by the department for required persons in compliance with §310 of this Part; 6. Louisiana Sex Offender Sex Offender and Child Predator. Annually check Louisiana sex offender and child predator registry to determine if the name of any of the persons required to obtain a CCCBC-based determination of eligibility for child care purposes is recorded on the registry. 7. Children’s Daily Attendance. A daily attendance record for children shall be maintained that shall accurately reflect children in care at any given time and shall include the child’s first and last name, arrival and departure times, date, and first and last name of the person or entity to whom the child is released. 8. Transportation. If transportation is provided, the provider shall: a. use child safety restraints, such as car seat belts, child restraining seats, infant carrier seats, etc., as required by law in the transportation of children in care; b. take precautions necessary to ensure the safety of children being transported; c. develop written emergency procedures and actions to be taken in the event of an accident or breakdown.; d. maintain a current driver’s license and current automobile insurance as required by law; e. obtain written permission from a parent to transport the child; and f. maintain a transportation log for each trip to be used to track children during transportation, which shall include the child’s name, the date, time and place of pick up and drop off, and the name of the person to whom a child is released. 9. Immunizations. Obtain satisfactory evidence of immunization against, or of an immunization program in progress, for vaccine-preventable diseases for each child in care, according to the schedule approved by the Office of Public Health, Department of Health: a. if vaccination is contraindicated for medical reasons, the parent shall provide a written statement from a physician indicating said medical reasons; or b. if the parent objects to the immunizations for any other reason, the parent shall provide a written statement of dissent. 10. Emergency Preparedness Disaster Plan. Develop, practice and train on, and follow, a written emergency preparedness disaster plan that includes at a minimum: a. procedures for evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lock-down, communication and reunification with families, continuity of operations, accommodation of infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions; b. procedures for all adults living in or working in the residence where care is provided, or working on the property where care is provided; c. posting in a visibly accessible area all appropriate emergency phone numbers, such as fire and police, hospitals and Louisiana Poison Control, and the physical address and phone number for the residence in which care is provided; and d. be reviewed annually for accuracy and updated as changes occur. 11. First Aid Supplies. Maintain first aid supplies in the home. 12. Inspections. Allow inspection of the home where care is provided by LDE staff and other authorized inspection personnel during normal working hours or when children are in care. 13. Supervision. Children shall be supervised at all times in the home, on the property, on field trips, on non-vehicular excursions, and during all water activities and water play activities. 14. Group Size. A provider may care for a maximum of six children. 15. Child-to-Staff Ratios. The maximum child-to-staff ratio shall be 6:1. 16. Safe Sleep Practices a. Only one infant shall be placed in a crib. b. All infants shall be placed on their backs for sleeping. i. Written authorization from a physician is required for any other sleeping position. ii. Written notice of the specifically authorized sleeping position shall be posted on or near the crib. c. Infants shall not be placed in positioning devices, unless the provider has written authorization from a physician to use a positioning device. d. Written authorization from a physician is required for a child to sleep in a car seat or other similar device and shall include the amount of time that the child is allowed to remain in said device. e. “Back to Sleep” signs shall be posted in the room where infants sleep. f. Infants who use pacifiers shall be offered the pacifier when placed to sleep, but shall not be placed back in the mouth once the child is asleep. g. Bibs shall not be worn by any child while asleep. h. Nothing shall be placed over the head or face of an infant. i. A safety approved crib shall be assigned to and available for each infant in care. j. Children are prohibited from sleeping in playpens or cribs with mesh sides. k. Cribs shall be free of toys, including stuffed animals, and other soft or loose bedding, including comforters, blankets, sheets, bumper pads, pillows, and wedges when the infant is in the crib. Mattresses for cribs must have a properly fitted, clean sheet. 17. Health Related Policies. The provider shall have a written copy of all health-related policies including policies regarding accidents, allergic reactions, fever, illness, immunizations, and infection and injuries, and shall provide a copy to the parent or guardian of each child in care. 18. Immediate Parental Notification. The parent shall be immediately notified in the following circumstances: a. blood not contained in an adhesive strip; b. head or neck or eye injury; c. human bite that breaks the skin; d. animal bite; e. impaled object; f. broken or dislodged teeth; g. allergic reaction skin changes (e.g. rash, spots, swelling, etc.); h. unusual breathing; i. symptoms of dehydration; j. temperature reading over 101 degrees oral, 102 degrees rectal, or 100 degrees axillary; or k. injury or illness requiring professional medical attention. 19. Biocontaminants. Staff shall properly dispose of all biocontaminants to safeguard against the spread of infectious disease. a. Discard disposable rubber gloves that come into contact with a biocontaminant after each use. b. Discard tissues, paper towels, disposable wipes, and similar products that come into contact with a biocontaminant after each use. c. Place soiled disposable diapers in a closed container that is lined with a leak-proof or impervious lining, remove the soiled disposable diapers from the facility, and place them in a closed garbage receptacle outside the building on a daily basis. d. Place soiled non-disposable diapers in a sealed plastic container that has been labeled with the child's name and return these diapers to the child's parent at the end of the day. e. Place soiled clothes in a sealed plastic container that has been labeled with the child's name and return the clothes to the child's parent at the end of the day or launder the clothes at the facility. f. Sheets and coverings shall be changed immediately when soiled or wet. 20. Cumulative File. A cumulative file that shall include an information form, written authorization for emergency medical treatment, individuals to whom the child may be released, and special dietary requirements shall be maintained on each child. a. The information form shall be signed and dated by the parent and updated as changes occur. The form shall contain the name of the child, date of birth, sex, date of admission, the name of parents, the home address of both child and parents, the phone numbers where parents may be reached while the child is in care, the name and phone number of the person to contact in an emergency if parents cannot be located promptly, any special concerns, including but not limited to allergies, chronic illnesses, and any special needs of the child, if applicable, and any special dietary needs, restrictions or food allergies, or intolerances, if applicable. i. Consent to Release. Written consent shall be obtained from the parent prior to releasing any information, recordings, or photographs from which the child might be identified, except to authorized state and federal agencies. This one-time written consent shall be obtained from the parent and updated as changes occur. ii. Confidentiality. Confidentiality and security shall be maintained for all records of children. Staff is prohibited from disclosing or knowingly permitting the disclosure of any information concerning the child or the family of the child, either directly or indirectly, to any unauthorized person. b. Emergency medical treatment written authorization shall be signed and dated by the parent to secure emergency medical treatment. c. Written authorization for child release shall be signed and dated by the parent noting the first and last names of individuals to whom the child may be released other than the parents, and any person or persons who may remove the child from the home. i. The parent may further authorize additional individuals via a text message, fax, or email to the provider in unplanned situations and follow it with written authorization. ii. A child shall never be released to anyone unless authorized in writing by the parent. iii. Any additions and deletions to the list of authorized individuals shall be signed and dated by the parent. iv. The provider shall verify the identity of the authorized person prior to releasing the child. d. Special Diets i. A parent may request in writing special diet adjustments (i.e. no milk on a particular day). ii. If a center is on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a written statement from a health care provider and the parent is required when the child requires a special diet for medical reasons if the meal is to be reimbursed by CACFP. iii. Information regarding food allergies and special diets of children shall be posted in the food preparation area with special care taken to ensure that individual names of children are not in public view. If a parent chooses to allow the provider to post the child’s name and allergy information in public view, a signed and dated authorization from the parent shall be obtained. 21. Shaken Baby Syndrome, Abusive Head Trauma, and Child Maltreatment. The provider shall maintain policy and procedure to identify, prevent, and respond to shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment. B. In-home child care providers receiving CCAP payments or certified to receive CCAP payments shall be inspected no less than annually by LDE staff or other authorized inspection personnel.