Nighttime Care

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth requirements for facilities providing nighttime care for children. (1) If nighttime care is to be offered on a regular basis, rules shall be met as set forth for nighttime care and the home shall be specifically licensed to include nighttime care. (2) Family child care homes licensed for nighttime care shall meet the requirements of the following additional rules: (A) Special effort shall be made by the child care provider to individualize care at children’s bedtime and awakening. The parent(s) shall be consulted concerning his/her child’s particular behavior patterns at bedtime and awakening; (B) As parents will be calling for children at various hours during nighttime care, room arrangements shall take into consideration the child’s need for undisturbed sleep; (C) Combs, brushes, toothbrushes, or other personal items shall be individually marked with the child’s name; (D) Night-lights shall be located in areas as required by individual children’s needs; (E) Separate sleeping and dressing areas shall be provided for school-age boys and girls; and (F) During sleeping hours, the provider or assistant(s) shall be in close proximity to sleeping areas in order to respond to children needing attention. Close proximity means that the provider shall be close enough to the children to be able to hear any sounds they might make that would indicate a need for assistance. AUTHORITY: section 161.092, RSMo 2016, and section 210.221.1(3), RSMo Supp. 2021.* This rule previously filed as 13 CSR 40-61.130, 13 CSR 40-61.145, and 19 CSR 40-61.145. Original rule filed March 29, 1991, effective Oct. 31, 1991. Changed to 19 CSR 40-61.145, effective Dec. 9, 1993. Changed to 19 CSR 30-61.145 July 30, 1998. Moved to 5 CSR 25-400.145, effective Aug. 30, 2021. Amended: Filed Oct. 7, 2021, effective May 30, 2022. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, and 210.221.1(3), RSMo 1949, amended 1955, 1987, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2015, 2019, 2020.