PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the requirements for the furniture, equipment and materials needed in a group day care home or child day care center.

1. (1) Indoor Furniture and Equipment.

   1. (A) General Requirements.

      1. 1. All furniture and equipment shall be

constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only leadfree paint shall be used.

1. 2. Furniture and equipment shall be

arranged to provide a clear passage to all exits.

1. (B) Sleeping Equipment.

   1. 1. General requirements.

      1. A. An individual cot or bed with an

individually assigned sheet and blanket shall be provided for each child who naps or sleeps. Upper levels of bunk beds shall not be used.

1. B. All bedding shall be clean with

sheets laundered at least once a week. Once bedding has been used by a child, it shall not be used by another child until it has been laundered.

1. C. If two (2)-year olds are in care,

they shall be napped in an area separate from the other children so they can sleep undisturbed longer than the older children.

1. D. Sleeping equipment shall be

arranged to provide at least a two foot (2') aisle on one (1) long side of the equipment.

1. 2. Infants and toddlers.

   1. A. An individually assigned crib,

portable crib or playpen shall be provided for each infant and toddler. Stack cribs shall not be used.

1. B. With written parental consent on

file, cots may be used for napping or sleeping for toddlers twelve (12) months and older.

1. C. Cribs and playpens shall have side

rail spokes not more than two and threeeighths inches (2 3/8") apart. Cribs or playpens previously approved for licensed centers and which do not meet this requirement shall have bumper pads in place for children under twelve (12) months of age.

1. D. The crib mattress or playpen pad

shall be sized correctly to the crib or playpen, in good condition, waterproof and kept clean and dry. Sheets and covers shall be changed immediately when soiled or wet.

1. E. Cribs and playpens shall be left

consistently in place for infants and toddlers who use them for napping.

1. (C) Tables and Seating Equipment.

   1. 1. Preschool and school-age children.

      1. A. Individual chairs and table space

for the licensed capacity of the facility shall be available for children twelve (12) months of age and older. Chairs shall be proportioned so children's feet are firm on the floor when they are sitting back as far as possible on the chair.

1. B. Provision shall be made for seating

during meals and for table space for eating and table activities.

1. 2. Infants and toddlers. Infants and tod-

dlers who are unable to sit at a table shall have one (1) piece of mealtime feeding equipment for every four (4) infant/toddlers which may include feeding tables, high chairs, infant seats or other safely designed infant seating equipment. Equipment shall be provided which will allow the child to sit comfortably and securely while being fed. Appropriate restraints shall be used.

1. (2) Indoor Play Equipment and Materials.

   1. (A) General Requirements.

      1. 1. Play equipment and materials shall be

clean, in good condition with all parts intact and accessible to children.

1. 2. Play equipment and materials shall be

replaced as needed to maintain the number of items required for the licensed capacity of the facility.

1. 3. Toys or materials that come in sets

shall be considered one (1) item.

1. (B) Preschool and School-Age Children.

   1. 1. Children twenty-four (24) months of

age and older shall have an ample variety of age-appropriate toys, books, creative materials and activities which provide fun, stimulation, development and opportunities for individual choices.

1. 2. A minimum of forty (40) approved

items shall be required for every ten (10) children in the licensed capacity of the facility. The forty (40) items shall include at least four (4) items from each of the following categories:

1. A. Blocks, construction and trans-

portation toys;

1. B. Manipulatives;
2. C. Creative arts;
3. D. Large muscle activities;
4. E. Library and language activities;
5. F. Music and rhythm activities;
6. G. Dramatic and housekeeping play;

and

1. H. Science activities or sensory expe-

riences.

1. (C) Infants and Toddlers.

   1. 1. Infants and toddlers shall have safe

toys which shall be washed when soiled. Toys, parts of toys or other materials shall not be small enough to be swallowed. Toys and materials shall include a minimum of one (1) approved item from each of the following categories for each infant and toddler in the licensed capacity of the facility:

1. A. Push-pull toys;
2. B. Balls or other large muscle equip-

ment;

1. C. Blocks, stacking toys or other

manipulatives; and

1. D. Cloth or plastic coated books.

1. (3) Outdoor Equipment.

   1. (A) All outdoor equipment shall be constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only lead-free paint shall be used.
   2. (B) Outdoor equipment shall be provided for the ages and number of children in care to meet their physical and developmental needs.
   3. (C) Children shall be instructed in the safe use of outdoor equipment.
   4. (D) Stationary equipment such as swings, slides and climbers shall be securely anchored, have no exposed footings and be placed to avoid accidents or collisions.
   5. (E) For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for facilities installing new equipment, any part of the equipment from which children might fall shall not be more than six feet (6') in height.
   6. (F) Equipment with moving parts which might pinch or crush children's hands or fingers shall not be used unless the moving parts which pose a threat to children have guards or covers. “S” hooks shall be pinched together to avoid catching children's skin or clothing.
   7. (G) Swings shall have lightweight seats of rubber, plastic, canvas or nylon.
   8. (H) Exposed bolts and screws shall be recessed into the frame, covered or filed to avoid sharp edges.
   9. (I) Ropes, loops or any hanging apparatus that might entrap, close or tighten upon a child shall not be permitted.
   10. (J) Trampolines shall not be used. Minitrampolines, aerobic bouncers or other similar small jumping equipment may be used with close supervision.

AUTHORITY: section 210.221.1(3), RSMo Supp. 1993.* This rule previously filed as 13 CSR 40-62.081, 13 CSR 40-62.092 and 19 CSR 40-62.092. Original rule filed March 29, 1991, effective Oct. 31, 1991. Changed to 19 CSR 40-62.092, effective Dec. 9, 1993. Changed to 19 CSR 30-62.092 July 30, 1998. *Original authority 1949, amended 1955, 1987, 1993.