1. (a)

   1. (1) Within thirty (30) days of registration and within thirty (30) days of any change or modification of the floor plan, the facility shall file a copy of their floor plan with the local Office of Emergency Management including the following (Arkansas Code § 20-78-228, Acts 2013, No. 1159):

      1. (A) A schematic drawing of the facility and property used by the childcare facility including the configuration of rooms, spaces, and other physical features of the building;
      2. (B) The location or locations where children enrolled in child care spend time regularly;
      3. (C) The escape routes approved by the local fire department for the childcare facility;
      4. (D) The licensed capacity and ages of children per room at the facility;
      5. (E) The contact information for at least two (2) emergency contacts for the facility; and
      6. (F) An aerial view of the childcare facility and property used by the childcare facility shall be included with the floor plan if available.
   2. (2) Homes already registered on the effective date of this part shall have thirty (30) days to comply.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The registered childcare family home shall have a written plan detailing the procedures to follow in the event of emergencies (fires, floods, tornadoes, utility disruptions, bomb threats, etc.)

   2. (2) The plan and procedures are required for emergencies that could:

      1. (A) Cause structural damage to the facility;
      2. (B) Be identified as a threat by the Division of Emergency Management; or
      3. (C) Pose a health or safety hazard to the children and staff.
   3. (3) This plan shall include provisions for “sheltering in place” or “lock down”, in the event of situations that warrant such measures.

3. (c) The written plan shall include the following information:

   1. (1) Designated relocation site and evacuation route;
   2. (2) Procedures for notifying parents of relocation;
   3. (3) Procedures for ensuring family reunification;

   4. (4) Procedures to address the needs of individual children, including children with:

      1. (A) Special needs;
      2. (B) Disabilities; and
      3. (C) Chronic medical conditions;

   5. (5) Procedures and documentation for annual training of staff regarding:

      1. (A) The plan; and
      2. (B) Possible reassignment of staff duties in an emergency; and
   6. (6) Plans to ensure that all caregivers and volunteers are familiar with the components of the plan.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The home shall maintain, on-site, a current copy of the Arkansas Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan issued by the division.

   2. (2) This plan shall be reviewed by the licensee and signed and dated, indicating that they:

      1. (A) Have reviewed the current plan; and
      2. (B) Agree to comply with the provisions of the plan.
5. (e) The registered childcare family home shall coordinate with local emergency management officials to plan for emergencies.
6. (f) Written procedures and evacuation diagrams for emergency drills shall be posted in each room used for child care.

7. (g) Fire and tornado drills shall be practiced as follows:

   1. (1) Monthly;
   2. (2) On separate days and at different times of the day;
   3. (3) During all hours when children are in care (evenings, nights, weekends, etc.);
   4. (4) Everyone in the home at the time of the drill shall participate in the drill; and
   5. (5) Caregivers, including volunteers, shall be trained in safety drill procedures.

8. (h)

   1. (1) The registered childcare family home shall maintain a record of emergency drills.

   2. (2) This record shall include:

      1. (A) Date of drill;
      2. (B) Type of drill;
      3. (C) Time of day;
      4. (D) Number of children participating in the drill;
      5. (E) Length of time taken to reach safety; and
      6. (F) Notes regarding things that need to be improved upon.

9. (i)

   1. (1) The registered childcare family home shall maintain an evacuation pack that shall be taken:

      1. (A) On all drills; and
      2. (B) During real emergency evacuations.
   2. (2) The pack shall be easily accessible in an emergency and all caregivers shall know the location of the pack.

   3. (3) The evacuation pack shall include, but is not limited to the following:

      1. (A) List of emergency numbers;
      2. (B) List of all emergency and contact information for children;
      3. (C) List of all emergency and contact information for staff;
      4. (D) First-aid kit, 20 CAR § 478-1101(i), with extra gloves;
      5. (E) Kleenex;
      6. (F) Battery-powered flashlight and extra batteries;
      7. (G) Battery-powered radio and extra batteries;
      8. (H) Hand sanitizer;
      9. (I) Notepad and pens or pencils;
      10. (J) Whistle;
      11. (K) Disposable cups;
      12. (L) Wet wipes; and
      13. (M) Emergency survival blanket.

10. (j)

    1. (1) The registrant shall immediately notify the Child Care Licensing Unit of any damage to the building or grounds.
    2. (2) If phone service is not available, notification shall be as soon as service is restored or available.

11. (k)

    1. (1) Registered homes shall:

       1. (A) Maintain a log of all child product recall and safety notices:

12. (i) Issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission; or

    1. (ii) Distributed by the Attorney General’s office; and

       1. (B) Post or otherwise make these notices available for parents to review.

    2. (2) The holder of the registration shall certify on an annual basis that:

       1. (A) These notices have been maintained and reviewed; and
       2. (B) Any identified items have been removed from the home.

    3. (3) Forms for self-certification:

       1. (A) Will be provided by the childcare licensing specialist; and

       2. (B) Shall be submitted annually.

          1. (l)
    4. (1) Electrical outlets shall be guarded.

    5. (2) Protective caps, if used, shall be large enough to prevent swallowing.

       1. (m)
    6. (1) Indoor or outdoor cooling or heating units shall have guards or barriers when necessary.
    7. (2) All outdoor electrical boxes, gas lines, and exposed electrical cords shall be enclosed.
13. (n) Stairways shall be well-lighted and guarded as needed.
14. (o) Dangerous equipment or objects shall be stored away from areas used by the children.

15. (p)

    1. (1)

       1. (A) All detergent and cleaning supplies shall be kept out of the reach of children.
       2. (B) This does not include hand soap in the children’s or staff’s bathrooms.
    2. (2) Supplies used for children’s activities shall be carefully supervised.

16. (q)

    1. (1) All poisonous substances shall be kept in a locked area.
    2. (2) Guns shall be unloaded.
    3. (3) Guns, other weapons, and ammunition shall be stored in a locked area in the home.
17. (r) Illegal drugs or paraphernalia shall not be in any part of the facility or on the premises, regardless of whether children are present or not.
18. (s) Tanks, ponds, swimming pools, open wells, drainage ditches, and sewage drainpipes shall be fenced if located within the play area.

19. (t)

    1. (1) Home swimming pools shall not be used by children in care unless permission is obtained from the licensing unit through an alternative compliance request.
    2. (2) This request must include written approval from the Department of Health for the use of the pool by children in care.
    3. (3) Home swimming pools used by children in care are considered semiprivate pools by the Department of Health and approval for these pools requires inspection during the construction phase.
    4. (4) Obtaining approval for existing pools is usually not possible.

20. (u)

    1. (1) Wading pools shall not be used by children under two (2) years of age.

    2. (2) Water sprinklers are acceptable.

       1. (v) Alcoholic beverages shall be kept out of reach of children.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules contained the following at the end of subdivision (b)(1): “(Act 801 of 2009)”. This section contained the following at the end of subdivision (k)(3)(B): "(Act 1313 of 2001)".