Supervision and grouping of children

Supervision and grouping of children. (1) Supervision. (a) Each child shall be supervised by a provider to guide the child’s behavior and activities, prevent harm, and ensure safety. (b) A provider shall be awake at all times when children are in care. (c) No individual provider may care for children for more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period. (d) No child may be in care for more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period. (e) At least one lead provider who has completed the training required under s. DCF 250.05 (3) (b) shall supervise children at all times, except as provided in par. (em) . (em) If a substitute is providing care and 2 providers are required to meet staff-to-child ratios, at least one provider who has completed the training required under s. DCF 250.05 (3) (b) or (bm) shall supervise children at all times. (f) No person under 18 years of age may be left in sole charge of the children. (g) The center shall have a written plan reviewed by the department for ensuring supervision of the children in an emergency or during a provider’s absence. (h) A provider may not be engaged in any other activity or occupation during the hours of operation of the center when children are in care, except for daily maintenance of the home. (i) The licensee may not combine the care of children enrolled in the child care center with foster care of other non-related children or adults without the prior written approval of both licensing agencies. (j) During the hours of the center’s operation, no provider or any other person in contact with children in care may consume or be under the influence of beverages containing alcohol or any non-prescribed controlled substance specified in ch. 961 , Stats. (k) A child may not be released to any person who has not been previously authorized by the parent to receive the child. (L) The licensee shall implement and adhere to a procedure to ensure that the number, names, and whereabouts of children in care are known to the provider at all times. (m) A provider shall be outside with children and provide sight and sound supervision of the children, unless the children are playing inside the enclosed outdoor area on the premises specified under s. DCF 250.06 (11) (b) . (n) A provider shall be outside with children providing sight and sound supervision of the children when a wading pool containing water is present in the outdoor play space specified in s. DCF 250.06 (11) (b) . (2) Grouping of children. (a) At no time may more than 12 children be in the care of the center. This limitation applies to all of the following: 1. All children under 7 years of age, including a provider’s own children. 2. All children 7 years of age or older who are not a provider’s own children. (b) A licensee shall do all of the following to determine if more than one provider is required for a group of children: 1. For each child in the group, determine the numerical weight for the child’s age group based on Table 250.055. 2. Add the total of all of the numerical weights for each child in the group. 3. If the total of the numerical weights is 1.2 or less, one provider may care for the group. 4. If the total of the numerical weights is more than 1.2, two providers are required. (c) 1. If one provider is caring for 4 children who are under the age of 18 months, the center may only enroll additional children who are 5 years of age and older. 2. If 2 providers are caring for 8 children under the 18 months of age, the center may only enroll additional children who are 5 years of age and older. (d) When care is provided on a level that is more than 6 feet above or below ground level, no more than 2 children under 18 months of age per provider may be in care.