In Regards to Infant Care in MD...

[Luvnmykidz]

Are we allowed to use sleep sacks for infants? What infant equipment is allowed and what's against the regs for home day care (swing, exersaucer,bouncer,etc.)? If you are on the food program what (brand) formulas are allowed if you provide them? Also can we use checkinkids for sign in/out or are we required to have an actual signature from the parents/guardians? TIA for your help.

[Naptime yet?]

I didn't see anywhere in the regs that sleep sacks couldn't be used, & the SIDS sites aren't condemning them (I could be wrong, though, but I was trying to figure this out myself a few weeks ago).

I believe you can have an exersaucer, bouncy chair, etc., I do & my licensor has never said anything about them (although I haven't really used them that much).

As for infant formula, it has to be iron-fortified and you have to write down the specific brand on the menu sheets (I don't provide formula, but this is what I was told). But when you join the Food Program your food person should go over it with you.

I don't know about the sign-in. I use good old fashion paper & pen, but then I read something in another county's newsletter that parents no longer had to sign-in. It's confusing because the regulations can be vague, or updated/changed, different licensing people will tell you different things...

Anyway, I hope this helps a little.

[Second Home]

I was told that all parents must sing an attendance sheet that the lic specialist can see . I use a monthly sheet where I check off which days the child is here and the parents sign it weekly . I have never had a problem with the attendance during an inspection and they always check ( at least for me) .

Also you are not allowed to use the type of pack N play ( Bassinet) which raises the level of the infant so you are not reaching to the bottom .

[Luvnmykidz]

I didn't see anywhere in the regs that sleep sacks couldn't be used, & the SIDS sites aren't condemning them (I could be wrong, though, but I was trying to figure this out myself a few weeks ago).

I believe you can have an exersaucer, bouncy chair, etc., I do & my licensor has never said anything about them (although I haven't really used them that much).

As for infant formula, it has to be iron-fortified and you have to write down the specific brand on the menu sheets (I don't provide formula, but this is what I was told). But when you join the Food Program your food person should go over it with you.

I don't know about the sign-in. I use good old fashion paper & pen, but then I read something in another county's newsletter that parents no longer had to sign-in. It's confusing because the regulations can be vague, or updated/changed, different licensing people will tell you different things...

Anyway, I hope this helps a little.

Yes thank you, it was very helpful. I just received my letter of who my specialist is and that she will contact me within 14 days to schedule my inspection. Was told that the food program will not schedule with me until I have my inspection. Is this true? Also when you received your letter, how far out did they schedule your inspection? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just excited to begin and want to be well prepared.

[Luvnmykidz]

I was told that all parents must sing an attendance sheet that the lic specialist can see . I use a monthly sheet where I check off which days the child is here and the parents sign it weekly . I have never had a problem with the attendance during an inspection and they always check ( at least for me) .

Also you are not allowed to use the type of pack N play ( Bassinet) which raises the level of the infant so you are not reaching to the bottom .

My thoughts were to use checkinkids daily and print attendance monthly for the parents to sign. Wow I was definitely not aware about the bassinet portion of the pack n play not being allowed. Thank you for the info.

[Blackcat31]

It is considered good business practice to always require parents to sign their child in and out of care. This documentation could come in handy in several situations....IRS audit, discrepancy with licensing, parent conflicts etc...

Here are several threads about sign in/out sheets.
I believe several of them have examples of sign in/out sheets you can print and use.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=sign+in+-+sample

[Luvnmykidz]

Thank you BC !

[GoodKarma]

It's always a good idea to contact your licensing specialist if you have questions. I have heard that specialists sometimes say different things, so if you get your answers from the one who will be inspecting you, there won't be any discrepancies.
Welcome to our a State of Confusion ::

[Second Home]

It seems that I have a different lic specialist every year . It can make things difficult since I never really get to know them .