Regulation .12 Health and Safety Requirements.
Regulation .12 Health and Safety Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
The therapeutic nursery program director shall:
A.
Ensure that a criminal background investigation as required under Family Law Article, §§5-560 — 5-568, Annotated Code of Maryland, has been completed and is on file in each staff member's personnel record;
B.
If a child is involved in an accident or is injured while in attendance at a therapeutic nursery program:
(1)
Notify the primary caretaker on the day that the accident or injury occurs;
(2)
If the injury is serious, notify the parent or guardian immediately;
(3)
Ensure that appropriate treatment is provided; and
(4)
Document the incident according to the requirements of the risk management policy of the therapeutic nursery;
C.
At all times that children are participating in the therapeutic nursery program, ensure that staff are present who hold current certificates indicating approved training in:
(1)
Infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
(2)
First aid; and
(3)
If wading or swimming are therapeutic nursery activities, Red Cross water safety;
D.
Prepare an emergency evacuation plan that:
(1)
Is approved by the local fire authority;
(2)
Is posted in each room of the therapeutic nursery;
(3)
The staff and children practice at least monthly, and the staff maintain a written record of the dates and times of the practices; and
(4)
Includes:
(a)
Safe routes by which the staff and children may exit each area in the event of fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the building;
(b)
The address of a location that can be used by the staff and children in the event of fire or other emergency until the parents, guardians, or primary caretakers of the children are notified; and
(c)
The provisions that, during an evacuation or a practice, a designated staff member take out of the building the record of attendance for that date and verify the presence of each child in attendance;
E.
Provide telephones that are accessible to the staff in each activity area in the therapeutic nursery, and post the following information next to each telephone:
(1)
911 telephone number to summon fire, police, and rescue services;
(2)
The name, address, and telephone number of the therapeutic nursery;
(3)
Telephone number of the child protective services unit of the local department of social services; and
(4)
Telephone number of a poison control center;
F.
Release a child:
(1)
Only to the child's parent, guardian, or primary caretaker; or
(2)
If so directed by the child's parent, guardian, or primary caretaker, to another individual whose identity is verified;
G.
As required by COMAR 10.06.01:
(1)
Report communicable diseases; and
(2)
Restrict attendance by staff and children with communicable diseases;
H.
Not permit anyone to use alcohol or controlled dangerous substances on the premises or to smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes in rooms or areas approved for use by a child;
I.
Implement measures to prevent the spread of disease including requiring that staff wash hands and ensure that a child's hands are washed thoroughly with soap and water after toileting, before handling food, after outdoor activities, and at other times necessary to prevent the spread of disease;
J.
Provide for general cleanliness by ensuring that:
(1)
All surfaces, furnishings, materials, and equipment are clean;
(2)
Except for emergencies and clean-up activities that are part of the daily program, cleaning is not conducted while rooms are occupied by children;
(3)
Refuse containers in the building are:
(a)
Noncombustible; and
(b)
If they contain soiled diapers, lined with a disposable liner, covered with a lid, and inaccessible to children; and
(4)
Refuse containers outside the building meet the standards required by local code; and
K.
Provide written notification to each staff member and documentation that each staff member has read and understood the notification regarding:
(1)
The location of the telephone and the emergency telephone numbers specified in §E of this regulation;
(2)
The location of each child's emergency form;
(3)
Emergency evacuation procedures;
(4)
Identity of the staff members who have appropriate first aid, CPR, and Red Cross water safety training;
(5)
Signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect;
(6)
The requirements and procedures for reporting suspected child:
(a)
Abuse directly to the local department of social services or law enforcement agency; and
(b)
Neglect directly to the local department of social services;
(7)
Risk management; and
(8)
The contents of this chapter.