Changes in FCC Rules/Regs

[Country Kids]

Our lovely state is making 53 changes (proposed) to our FCC rules/regs. Alot of it is wording, grammerical errors, but there are some changes. A few that actually make you scratch your head and go Seriously? They have to spell that out for providers.

Anyway, this is ONE of the proposed changes and to me it is sounding like they are saying the children can choose to rest or not. Its to grey area I think because its not saying they actually have to even lay down, so if they choose not to rest does that mean they can stay up doing things? I see parents getting ahold of this and saying the state says my child can choose not to rest, so I would like my child not to take naps.


Also, for our first aid kit:

“First aid supplies and a chart or handbook of first aid instructions shall be maintained in one identified place and kept out of reach of children.

(a) The first aid supplies shall include: bandaids, adhesive tape, sterile gauze pads, soap or sealed antiseptic towelettes or solution to be used as a wound cleaning agent, scissors, disposable plastic gloves for handling blood spills, chlorine bleach for sanitizing after a blood spill, a sanitary temperature taking device and CPR mouth guards.

(b) A first aid kit and a copy of each child’s emergency medical information including a medical release form shall be taken any time the caregiver is transporting child care children or taking child care children on field trips.”

The chlorine bleach in a first aid kit is making me think what!!!! Also, they don't say how much and I'm thinking what would you keep it in, a glass jar? Also, the mouth guards-if it has to be locked up, no kids can get to it, who is grabbing these for me while I'm running to the person who needs the CPR?

There are other areas that are puzzling to me also but these to just made me think-seriously?

People are starting to comment on the different areas so during quiet time today, I want to sit and read through them and see what the providers in my state are thinking about these "proposed" changes.

[lolaland]

In what state are you?

[rmc20021]

To me it sounds as though when they mentioned chlorine bleach, it's listed under first aid 'supplies' not kit, so I would assume it just means to have bleach on hand in the event you would need it...not necessarily in a 'kit'.

[Willow]

Anyway, this is ONE of the proposed changes and to me it is sounding like they are saying the children can choose to rest or not. Its to grey area I think because its not saying they actually have to even lay down, so if they choose not to rest does that mean they can stay up doing things? I see parents getting ahold of this and saying the state says my child can choose not to rest, so I would like my child not to take naps.

The state may say it's not required, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have to be in your home

The chlorine bleach in a first aid kit is making me think what!!!! Also, they don't say how much and I'm thinking what would you keep it in, a glass jar? Also, the mouth guards-if it has to be locked up, no kids can get to it, who is grabbing these for me while I'm running to the person who needs the CPR?

I'd assume in your supplies doesn't necessarily mean contained inside a kit. The breathing barrier I'm thinking wouldn't be required for CPR, just good to have in case there is concern of infectious disease? I have a few, one in my car, one on my keychain, one in my kit...but I wouldn't need one on any of the kids I have now.

I'll be curious to see how that plays out though. Both licensors I've had in different counties have said I should bring a first aid kid outside with me every single time we go. Even if it's just in the front yard. I tell them while that's nice in theory isn't it supposed to be put up and away? Well yes, up and out of reach.....to which I then always inquire if I'm expected to hang it form a tree or what?? And being exposed to the elements, sun, heat, cold...won't that affect the integrity of many of the items like rubber gloves, bandaids, cleaning solutions etc? :confused:

They never seem to have a good solution to either problem when I ask. If you could solve the issue of having a kit outside I'd say just store your barrier in there so it would be no less accessible than grabbing your phone to call 911.

Please keep us updated in how all those changes go?

[nanglgrl]

I'll be curious to see how that plays out though. Both licensors I've had in different counties have said I should bring a first aid kid outside with me every single time we go. Even if it's just in the front yard. I tell them while that's nice in theory isn't it supposed to be put up and away? Well yes, up and out of reach.....to which I then always inquire if I'm expected to hang it form a tree or what?? And being exposed to the elements, sun, heat, cold...won't that affect the integrity of many of the items like rubber gloves, bandaids, cleaning solutions etc? :confused:

They never seem to have a good solution to either problem when I ask.

I'm the same way and have to at least question regs that are silly or not applicable in the daycare world. Most of the time the licensors agree with me that the reg is stupid and didn't have much thought put into it but last year I really made one mad. It's not that I'm not going to follow the regs, even if I think they are silly I will follow them but I need to question them. I always feel the need to let them know that I think and don't just blindly follow.

[Country Kids]

Heres more on the naptime. I know this is all proposed but has safety totally gone out the window?

(a) An individual bed, mat or cot with individual bedding appropriate to the season shall be provided at nap time for each toddler and preschool-age child in the home, and for each school-age child who wants to rest.

(A) Family beds or sofas may be used with individual bedding appropriate to the season.

(B) If the parent(s) so request, siblings may share the same bed.

(C) The upper level of bunk beds shall not be used for children under ten years of age.

(D) The upper level of bunk beds may be used for children ten years or older if the bed rail and safety ladder are in place.

(b) Infants shall have a crib, portable crib or playpen with a clean, non-absorbent mattress. All cribs must comply with current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

[butterfly]

I just got a letter in the mail last week with proposed reg. changes for our state too. It really has me wondering if it's worth keeping my license or to just let it lapse and do daycare unregistered (which is legal in my state). I understand the need for the regulation, but sometimes it really just doesn't make sense to have so much 'paperwork' to be able to care for the kids.

[nanglgrl]

If we do daycare in our basement we have to have at least 2 exits. Most basements have a door that goes up and out and then small windows so in most cases you have to add an egress. I agree with this reg not only because it provides another escape route but I think children need that sunshine.
The problem with this reg is that you also have to build stairs up from your basement floor to the window and also in the window well of the egress to your grass. I have several problems with this.
1. The steps on the inside actually make it harder to get out because the ceiling height is so low in most finished basements. We have 9 feet but most people have 8 and I can't imagine how bad it is for them when they have to crouch on the steps, open the window and get children out. They also make it harder for a firefighter with gear to get in.
2. On the outside we have to have steps in the window well. My hubby is in construction and said it wasn't possible to put steps that would meet city code and so we called the city and they said the same. The steps would only be about 4 inches deep and they would pretty much fill up the entire area because you have to have steps going all the way to the grass. The city actually told me that we would not pass our inspection for the egress if we put steps in because the steps would not be to code and neither would the egress because code says you have to have X amount of OPEN space in the pit (for firefighters and their gear). They turned a blind eye to this one when I told them it wasn't possible.
3. We have to have a gate at the bottom of the steps on the inside so kids don't play on them and get hurt.
4. The kicker is the states reasoning for all of the steps is that if there is a fire the kids can escape on their own. Soooo...they are going to climb over the gate at the bottom of the steps, unlock both latches on the window, slide it open, pop out the screen and save themselves? Where the heck am I and I'm pretty sure even my really bright ones couldn't do all of that.

Sorry about the rant. These things make my blood boil.

[Blackcat31]

Heres more on the naptime. I know this is all proposed but has safety totally gone out the window?

(a) An individual bed, mat or cot with individual bedding appropriate to the season shall be provided at nap time for each toddler and preschool-age child in the home, and for each school-age child who wants to rest.

(A) Family beds or sofas may be used with individual bedding appropriate to the season.

(B) If the parent(s) so request, siblings may share the same bed.

(C) The upper level of bunk beds shall not be used for children under ten years of age.

(D) The upper level of bunk beds may be used for children ten years or older if the bed rail and safety ladder are in place.

(b) Infants shall have a crib, portable crib or playpen with a clean, non-absorbent mattress. All cribs must comply with current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

I'm not understanding how any of this would be considered unsafe?

.....a little dig to providers who actually have common sense maybe.

[Country Kids]

I'm not understanding how any of this would be considered unsafe?

.....a little dig to providers who actually have common sense maybe.

They are changing toddler ages to begin at 12 months. I would in no way feel safe putting a 12 month old on a bed in another room.

Also, with the sofa, I can see them rolling off and getting hurt.

[Blackcat31]

They are changing toddler ages to begin at 12 months. I would in no way feel safe putting a 12 month old on a bed in another room.

Also, with the sofa, I can see them rolling off and getting hurt.

Here toddlers start at 12 months too. Preschool age at 2 yrs.

All my kiddos over age 12 months are transitioned to a nap mat so that might be why I didn't think any of that was unsafe.

Seems to match our state's regs and ours haven't changed since I first opened other than the new crib rules.

I'm all for safety but I honestly don't see anything wrong with any of that.

[nannyde]

If we do daycare in our basement we have to have at least 2 exits. Most basements have a door that goes up and out and then small windows so in most cases you have to add an egress. I agree with this reg not only because it provides another escape route but I think children need that sunshine.
The problem with this reg is that you also have to build stairs up from your basement floor to the window and also in the window well of the egress to your grass. I have several problems with this.
1. The steps on the inside actually make it harder to get out because the ceiling height is so low in most finished basements. We have 9 feet but most people have 8 and I can't imagine how bad it is for them when they have to crouch on the steps, open the window and get children out. They also make it harder for a firefighter with gear to get in.
2. On the outside we have to have steps in the window well. My hubby is in construction and said it wasn't possible to put steps that would meet city code and so we called the city and they said the same. The steps would only be about 4 inches deep and they would pretty much fill up the entire area because you have to have steps going all the way to the grass. The city actually told me that we would not pass our inspection for the egress if we put steps in because the steps would not be to code and neither would the egress because code says you have to have X amount of OPEN space in the pit (for firefighters and their gear). They turned a blind eye to this one when I told them it wasn't possible.
3. We have to have a gate at the bottom of the steps on the inside so kids don't play on them and get hurt.
4. The kicker is the states reasoning for all of the steps is that if there is a fire the kids can escape on their own. Soooo...they are going to climb over the gate at the bottom of the steps, unlock both latches on the window, slide it open, pop out the screen and save themselves? Where the heck am I and I'm pretty sure even my really bright ones couldn't do all of that.

Sorry about the rant. These things make my blood boil.

this is what I put under one of my windows. It pretty much incapacitates that window. I'm so glad I had the foresight to put in two windows so I can leave one without the stairs.

[Country Kids]

Here toddlers start at 12 months too. Preschool age at 2 yrs.

All my kiddos over age 12 months are transitioned to a nap mat so that might be why I didn't think any of that was unsafe.

Seems to match our state's regs and ours haven't changed since I first opened other than the new crib rules.

I'm all for safety but I honestly don't see anything wrong with any of that.

Our preschool age starts at 3

A napmat is fine but having a 12 month old on a bed in another room seems unsafe-IMO. Children don't have to be in sight at all times hear, just sight/sound. So I can see kids being in other rooms (12 monthers-2 years olds) on beds and falling off beds or just screwing around and getting hurt.

We actually had a child die in a childcare here because they became wedged in between the wall and bed, it was a younger child also. It might have been during overnight are since they were able to get wedged and stop breathing but it could easily have happened during naptime.

Our state also is a baby on back only state. They can have things in the cribs/pnp with them.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Heres more on the naptime. I know this is all proposed but has safety totally gone out the window?

(a) An individual bed, mat or cot with individual bedding appropriate to the season shall be provided at nap time for each toddler and preschool-age child in the home, and for each school-age child who wants to rest.

(A) Family beds or sofas may be used with individual bedding appropriate to the season.

(B) If the parent(s) so request, siblings may share the same bed.

(C) The upper level of bunk beds shall not be used for children under ten years of age.

(D) The upper level of bunk beds may be used for children ten years or older if the bed rail and safety ladder are in place.

(b) Infants shall have a crib, portable crib or playpen with a clean, non-absorbent mattress. All cribs must comply with current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

I'm taking that to mean for each school age child that wants to rest ... not the others. ::

[MarinaVanessa]

Both licensors I've had in different counties have said I should bring a first aid kid outside with me every single time we go. Even if it's just in the front yard. I tell them while that's nice in theory isn't it supposed to be put up and away? Well yes, up and out of reach.....to which I then always inquire if I'm expected to hang it form a tree or what?? And being exposed to the elements, sun, heat, cold...won't that affect the integrity of many of the items like rubber gloves, bandaids, cleaning solutions etc? :confused:

A good solution for this is to make a smaller travel sized first-aid kit and put the contents inside a fanny pack. Wear it when you go outside or on field trips so you have it handy and then take it back inside and hang it somewhere to protect the integrity of the items. This is what I do for field trips.