An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

Chapter 21 – Child Care Centers/Preschools

Preschools must also establish an area to isolate and care for any child who becomes ill during the day. 2853 The isolation area must be equipped with a mat, cot, couch, or bed for each ill child. 2854 The child’s parents or legal guardians should be notified immediately when a child becomes ill enough for isolation. The preschool must ask the parents to remove the child from the preschool as soon as possible. 2855 As with any changes to outdoor facilities, preschools must notify DSS in writing of their intent to make any structural changes that would reduce the total amount of indoor activity space. 2856 D. F IXTURES , F URNITURE , E QUIPMENT , A ND S UPPLIES Preschools must ensure compliance with the following requirements for their fixtures, furniture, equipment, and supplies:  The indoor air temperature must be between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit; 2857

 All furniture and equipment, including any napping and playground equipment, must be maintained in a safe and good condition and free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts; 2858  Playground equipment must be securely anchored to the ground, unless it is portable by design; 2859  Tables and chairs, scaled to the size of the children, must be provided to meet their needs; 2860  All play equipment and materials used by children must be in good condition, of sufficient quantity, and age-appropriate; 2861  Drinking water must be available indoors and outdoors and children are free to drink water as they wish; 2862  Anchored steps or a broad-based platform must be used when a drinking fountain is too high for the attending children; 2863  Faucets used by children for personal care shall deliver hot water between 105 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although handwashing fixtures need not deliver hot water; 2864  There must be one toilet and one handwashing fixture for every 15 children, or fraction thereof, based on the preschool’s total licensed capacity; 2865  There must be one additional toilet and handwashing fixture, separate from and in addition to the basic toilet and sink requirements, designated for use by children who are ill, use by staff, or for emergency use. These fixtures must be located near the isolation area; 2866 and  All toilets and handwashing facilities must be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Common towels or washcloths are prohibited. 2867

An Administrator’s Guide to California Private School Law ©2019 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 645