(a) The out-of-school time (OST) program shall:

1. (1) Develop a written weekly routine listing developmentally appropriate activities for participants; and
2. (2) Provide a copy of the routine of weekly activities to parents when they enroll the participants.

(b) Each OST program shall be equipped with supplies, resources, and equipment to:

1. (1) Take care of the needs of the total group; and
2. (2) Provide each participant with a variety of activities during program operations.

(c)

1. (1) The OST program shall post a daily schedule in each program space that reflects activities that promote physical, social, emotional, cognitive language and literacy, and cultural.

2. (2) Activities shall:

   1. (A)

(i) Organize the environment so that participants may participate in activities individually and in small groups, so that the development of each participant is supported.

1. (ii) The program shall be flexible and shall provide some opportunities for a participant to choose how to spend their time;

   1. (B) Provide a variety of activities suitable to the ages and interests of the participants;
   2. (C) Be age-level and skill-level appropriate;
   3. (D) Offer project-based, experiential activities that promote creativity and youth self-expression;
   4. (E) Offer short-term and long-term projects;
   5. (F) Offer opportunities for alternating periods of indoor and outdoor activities, weather permitting;
   6. (G) Offer alternating periods of active and quiet activities;
   7. (H) Offer a balance of large-muscle and small-muscle activities; and

   8. (I) Offer more than one (1) option for an activity including individual, small-group, or large-group activities.

      1. (d) The OST program shall offer activities that target life skill development that:
2. (1) Encourage development of critical thinking skills; and
3. (2) Offer a progression of skill levels within activities.

(e) The OST program shall offer activities that integrate opportunities throughout the program for the participants to develop personal responsibility, self-direction, and leadership by providing opportunities to:

1. (1) Work on self-directed projects;
2. (2) Make content choices;
3. (3) Plan and conduct activities;
4. (4) Offer opportunities for leadership roles throughout the program;
5. (5) Support participant leadership through the policies and engagement strategies of the program;
6. (6) Form special clubs and groups within the program; and
7. (7) Plan and participate in community service.

(f) The OST program shall provide activities that provide recognition of achievement and participation that:

1. (1) Promote diversity in cultures, religion, ethnicities, abilities, etc.;
2. (2) Are representative of the varying ages, cultures, and abilities of the participants; and
3. (3) Are adaptable for different levels of ability.

(g) School-age participants who leave the OST program to participate in other activities shall have written permission from the parents naming the:

1. (1) Activity;
2. (2) Date;
3. (3) Time of leaving and returning; and
4. (4) Method of transportation.

(h)

1. (1) Each facility is required to provide at least four (4) Office of Early Childhood-approved opportunities to increase parental and family involvement.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Examples of approved activities are listed below.
   2. (B) See Better Beginnings website for resources, www.arbetterbeginnings.com.

3. (3) Parents are allowed to:

   1. (A) Observe;
   2. (B) Eat meals or snacks with a participant; or
   3. (C) Volunteer in the program.

4. (4) Conferences are held at least once a year and at other times as needed to discuss participant’s:

   1. (A) Progress;
   2. (B) Accomplishments; and
   3. (C) Difficulties.
5. (5) A parent resource area is available with books, pamphlets, or articles on parenting and child and youth development.

6. (6)

   1. (A) Parent meetings are held with guest speakers or special events.
   2. (B) For example, open house or participant’s programs.
7. (7) Parents are informed of the facilities’ programs and activities through a parent’s bulletin board or regular newsletter.

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

   1. (A) Board involvement;
   2. (B) Planning meetings; or

   3. (C) Questionnaires.

      1. (i) There shall be sufficient lighting to provide adequate supervision of the participants.

(j)

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

2. (2) Clarification.

   1. (A) The intent of this rule 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 and visitation matters, nor should it be used to circumvent court-ordered custody and visitation rights or schedules.
   3. (C) Facilities should encourage parents to resolve custody and visitation issues outside of the care environment.
   4. (D) Parents should be informed that continuing problems could result in the dismissal of their child.

(k) Staff shall not release a participant to anyone who is not immediately recognized as the participant’s parent or as someone on the authorized pickup list unless:

1. (1) The individual can provide an official picture identification (ID); and

2. (2) The person in charge can match the ID to the individual named on the participant’s data sheet.

   1. (l)
3. (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 participant’s record.

4. (2) The person in charge shall view an official picture ID of the individual to verify identity.

   1. (m) Photos or video recordings shall not be made of any participant without prior written permission from the parent or guardian.