Mo. Code Regs. Ann. tit. 5, § 25-400.085
PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the requirements for the physical plant and indoor and outdoor space.
(1) General Requirements.
(2) Indoor Space.
(A) General Requirements.
by the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee.
Barriers to prevent children from falling against windows or falling from windows shall be provided when windows are less than twenty-four inches (24”) from the floor and not constructed of safety glass or other nonbreakable material.
heights to avoid impact.
footcandles of light throughout each room used for child care.
ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68°F) and no more than eightyfive degrees Fahrenheit (85°F) when measured two feet (2’) from the floor.
which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.
be covered with carpet, tile, linoleum or other floor covering.
four inches (24”) in height from which children might fall and be injured shall be protected with pads or mats which will effectively cushion the fall of a child. Carpeting alone is not an acceptable resilient surface under indoor equipment.
insects, spiders, rodents or other pests.
for incoming and outgoing calls. If a telephone answering machine is used, it must be turned on so incoming messages can be heard and parents’ calls can be returned promptly.
ambulance and other emergency telephone numbers shall be posted near the telephone.
(B) Floor Space Calculations and Utilization.
shall be provided for each child coming into the home for day care.
inside walls of areas used for children’s activities.
bathrooms, hallways used exclusively as passageways, closets, office space or floor space occupied by furniture or shelving not used by the children or for their activities.
or playpens used for napping cannot be counted as usable floor space. Cots shall not be set up early or left in place to interfere with children’s play activities.
of the space shall be accessible to the children.
(C) Bathrooms.
1. General requirements.
with running water shall be provided.
order and convenient for the children’s use.
towels, soap and toilet paper shall be provided and easily accessible so the children can reach them without assistance. If individual towels are used, they shall be laundered daily.
commode or toilet with an adaptor seat shall be provided. Potty chairs shall be located in the bathroom and shall be emptied, cleaned and disinfected after each use.
(D) Kitchens.
meals are catered from a source approved by the local or state sanitarian, or both.
with a stove, sink, hot and cold running water, a refrigerator and storage space for food, dishes and cooking utensils.
a refrigerator and storage space for food, dishes and cooking utensils shall be provided.
unless the activities are part of the learning program and the children are supervised by adults.
(3) Outdoor Space.
(A) General Requirements.
the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. It shall be fenced when necessary for the protection of children from traffic, water or other hazards. For family day care homes initially licensed after the effective date of these rules, or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42”) high. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.
outdoor play area shall be provided.
supervision for children under three (3) years of age.
if the play area is not fenced and adjoining the building exit, or unless the children are of school age and definite limits have been established as their boundaries. These children shall receive frequent and routine supervision.
maintained, free of hazards such as poisonous plants, broken glass, rocks or other debris and shall have good drainage.
where children might fall and be injured shall be covered with impact-absorbing materials which effectively cushions the fall of a child. This material may include sand, pea gravel, tanbark, shredded tires, wood chips, rubber matting or other approved resilient material. Grass may be an approved resilient material, but if grass becomes worn or sparse, the area must be covered with another approved resilient material.
fall-zone area of resilient material necessary for the protection of children.
continuous maintenance to ensure that the material remains in place and retains its cushioning properties. The resilient material shall be supplemented immediately or replaced as needed.
surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
(B) Swimming and Wading Pools.
be constructed, maintained and used in a manner which safeguards the lives and health of children.
system. The water in swimming and wading pools shall be treated, cleaned and maintained in accordance with health practices and rules as determined by the local or state health authority, or both.
access by children. For family day care homes initially licensed after the effective date of these rules, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42”) high and shall have a locked gate. Above-the-ground pools may use a forty-two inch (42”) fence around the top of the pool with barricades of the steps to the pool deck.
instructed in water safety and supervised by an adult at all times.
including infant/child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, shall be on duty when a swimming or wading pool containing a depth of forty-eight inches (48”) or more of water is being used.
safety, which includes infant/child CPR, shall be on duty when a swimming or wading pool containing less than forty-eight inches (48”) of water is being used.
(4) Animals.