1. A. Program of activities

   1. (1) There shall be planned, daily program of activities for all children.
   2. (2) Activities shall be developmentally appropriate.
   3. (3) Staff shall plan and provide daily age-appropriate activities such as stories, music, art, cooking, living skills, puzzles, blocks, etc. in accordance with the child’s developmental level.
   4. (4) Children shall be provided daily indoor opportunities for freedom of movement.
   5. (5) Quiet areas with supervision shall be made available to children desiring to be alone or to work on homework.
   6. (6) Staff persons shall provide the opportunity for the children to ask questions and engage in conversations with others. Staff shall have frequent positive verbal communications with the children.
   7. (7) Age appropriate radio and television, VCR tapes, DVDs and other media shall be previewed by the operator and staff and used only as a supplement and enhancement to the daily program. No child shall be required to view these media programs.
   8. (8) All children, including infants and toddlers shall be given the opportunity for outdoor play, weather permitting.
   9. (9) Napping expectations and time periods shall be developmentally appropriate and meet the needs of the individual child.

2. B. Discipline and behavior management

   1. (1) The group child care home’s discipline policy shall outline methods of guidance appropriate to the ages of the children. Positive, non-violent, non-abusive methods for managing behavior shall be implemented.
   2. (2) All teacher/caregivers shall sign an agreement to implement the discipline and behavior management policy, with a statement that specifies no corporal punishment shall be used except when authorized in writing by the parent(s)/guardian(s); corporal punishment shall not exceed guidelines established in Section 20-7-490(2)(a) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976 amended.
   3. (3) Emotional abuse is also prohibited, including but not limited to: profane, harsh, demeaning or humiliating language in the presence of children. Threatening, humiliating, ignoring, corrupting, terrorizing, or rejecting a child is prohibited.
   4. (4) Withholding, forcing, or threatening to withhold or force food, sleep or toileting is prohibited.
   5. (5) Unsupervised isolation of a child shall not be allowed. The child shall be within sight of staff if isolation from the group is used.
   6. (6) The use of children to discipline other children is prohibited.
   7. (7) Children shall not be restrained through drugs or mechanical restraints.
   8. (8) Each group child care home has the option to prohibit corporal punishment.

HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005.