(b)

1. (1) Children shall have a variety of toys, books, creative materials, and equipment that is easily accessible and arranged to support learning.

2. (2) This includes equipment for:

   1. (A) Large muscle and gross motor activities, such as climbing and running; and
   2. (B) Manipulative and fine motor activities, such as things done with the hands: puzzles, drawing, and modeling clay.

(c)

1. (1) There shall be a written daily schedule posted in each classroom listing developmentally appropriate activities for children.
2. (2) The program shall offer alternating periods of active play and quiet times throughout the day.

(d)

1. (1) There shall be a total of thirty (30) minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
2. (2) This could be included in outdoor play time if it meets this criterion.
3. (3) See the Office of Early Childhood website.

(e)

1. (1) Staff shall plan and provide experiences that meet children’s needs and stimulate learning in the following developmental areas found in Arkansas's Early Learning Standards:

   1. (A) Physical;
   2. (B) Social and emotional;
   3. (C) Creative and aesthetic;
   4. (D) Cognitive and intellectual; and
   5. (E) Language.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The facility shall have an approved curriculum with weekly activity plans appropriate for the developmental needs of each group of children.
   2. (B) See the office website for a list of approved curricula.
3. (3) Each child is viewed by staff as a unique person with an individual pattern of growth and development.

4. (4) The center has a variety of learning areas, for example:

   1. (A) Areas for dramatic play;
   2. (B) Blocks;
   3. (C) Books;
   4. (D) Art;
   5. (E) Language;
   6. (F) Literacy;
   7. (G) Math; and
   8. (H) Science.

5. (5) Children are provided opportunities to work individually or in small, informal groups most of the day and permitted:

   1. (A) To choose staff-directed, self-selected activities; or
   2. (B) Not to participate.

(g) There shall be meaningful, positive interaction between staff and children, to include but not limited to the following:

1. (1) Comfort children who are upset;

2. (2) Engage in frequent, multiple, and rich social interchanges such as:

   1. (A) Smiling;
   2. (B) Conversation;
   3. (C) Touching; and
   4. (D) Singing;
3. (3) Interact with children by being their play partner as well as protector;
4. (4) Help children identify and label feelings by being attuned to children’s needs;
5. (5) Communicate consistently with parents and guardians; and
6. (6) Interact with children and develop a relationship in the context of everyday routines.

(h)

1. (1) There shall be an opportunity for a supervised rest period.

2. (2) The supervised rest period:

   1. (A) Shall be at least one (1) hour but shall not exceed two (2) hours; and
   2. (B) If children do not fall asleep, they shall be allowed to participate in a quiet activity either on their cots, in the area, or in another room under direct supervision.

(j)

1. (1) Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation.

2. (2) Clarification.

   1. (A) The intent of subdivision (j)(1) of this section is to ensure that the parent or parents or guardian or guardians are able to have contact with their child during hours of care.
   2. (B) It is not intended to be a determining factor in child custody or visitation matters, nor should it be used to circumvent court ordered:

(i) Custody;

1. (ii) Visitation rights; or

   1. (iii) Schedules.
   2. (C) Facilities should encourage parents to resolve custody or visitation issues outside of the care environment.
   3. (D) Parents should be informed that continuing problems could result in the dismissal of their child.

(k)

1. (1) Each center is required to provide at least four (4) office-approved opportunities for parental involvement.
2. (2) Examples of approved activities are listed below.

3. (3)

   1. (A) See Arkansas Better Beginnings website for resources, www.arbetterbeginnings.com.
   2. (B) Parents are allowed to observe, eat lunch with a child, or volunteer in the classroom.
   3. (C) Conferences are held at least once a year and at other times, as needed, to discuss children’s development and learning.
   4. (D) A parent resource area is available with books, pamphlets, or articles on parenting and child development.
   5. (E) Parent meetings are held with guest speakers or special events, for example, open house or a family activity night.

   6. (F) Parents are informed of the center’s programs and activities through a:

      1. (i) Parents’ bulletin board;
      2. (ii) Regular newsletter;
      3. (iii) Email; or
      4. (iv) Web page.

   7. (G) Parents participate in program and policy development through:

      1. (i) Board involvement;
      2. (ii) Planning meetings; or
      3. (iii) Questionnaires and surveys.
      4. (l)
4. (1) The facility shall distribute materials developed or approved by the Department of Health on prevention of shaken baby syndrome to all parents of infants, upon enrollment.

5. (2) Written documentation of receipt of this information by each parent, with a signature, shall be placed in the child’s file (Carter’s Law, Acts 2013, No. 1208).

   1. (m) Staff shall not release a child to anyone who is not immediately recognized as the child’s parent or as someone on the authorized pick-up list unless the:
6. (1) Individual can provide an official picture identification (ID); and
7. (2) Person in charge can match the ID to the individual named on the child’s data sheet.

(n)

1. (1) Verification of permission for persons not on the authorized list shall be obtained by the person in charge by calling the parent at a number listed in the child’s record.
2. (2) The person in charge shall view an official picture ID of the individual to verify identity.

(o)

1. (1) There shall be a total of at least one (1) hour of outdoor play per day in suitable weather.

2. (2) When deciding if children should play outside, staff shall consider the following environmental factors:

   1. (A) When the heat index is forecast to be ninety degrees Fahrenheit (90° F) or above, outdoor play should be scheduled during early morning hours or the length of time spent outdoors should be reduced to avoid heat stress;

   2. (B) When outdoor play occurs during the hotter part of the day, children:

      1. (i) Should have shaded area;
      2. (ii) Should have an ample supply of water; and
      3. (iii) Should be monitored closely for signs of heat stress; and
   3. (C) When outdoor play occurs during the winter months and when temperatures are extremely cold, the time scheduled for outdoor play should be reduced or suspended depending on the temperature and other weather conditions.

(p) The use of television, digital versatile discs (DVDs), video cassettes, computer or video games, and other screen time activities shall meet the following requirements:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Shall be prohibited for children younger than two (2) years of age.
   2. (B) The use of DVDs or other video programs for any activities with this age group would have to be approved through an alternative compliance request;
2. (2) Shall be limited to programs of educational value which are age-appropriate;

3. (3)

   1. (A) Shall be scheduled and shall not exceed one (1) hour daily per child or group of children.

   2. (B) Children:

      1. (i) Shall not be required to participate in screen time activities; and
      2. (ii) Shall be offered other choices.

   3. (C) Viewing time may be extended for special events or occasions such as:

      1. (i) A current event;
      2. (ii) A holiday;
      3. (iii) A birthday celebration; or
      4. (iv) For the occasional viewing of age-appropriate movies, or other programs that may exceed one (1) hour in length; and

4. (4)

   1. (A) Educational computer learning periods for children below five (5) years of age may not exceed two (2) hours a day per child or group of children.
   2. (B) Educational computer learning periods for children five (5) years of age and older may exceed two (2) hours per day.