An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

Chapter 21 – Child Care Centers/Preschools

If the preschool prepares food onsite, all kitchen, food preparation and storage areas must be kept clean and protections must be taken to keep the areas free of rodents and other vermin. 2935 Preschools should check for cracks, crevices, and damaged screens or windows which could allow rodents or insects to enter those areas. Food should not be stored on the floor to avoid attracting rodents or insects. Preschools must ensure the food preparation areas have a sink, hot and cold running water, refrigeration, and storage space for food that is sufficient to meet the preschool’s food and snack service needs. 2936 This equipment must be well-maintained. Tables, dishes, and utensils must be provided for the children and dishes and utensils must be cleaned and sanitized after each use. 2937 Preschools may use disposable plates and utensils as long as they are sturdy, are the appropriate size for the children, and are properly disposed of after use. Preschools should consider potential effects on the environment if using disposable items. Additionally preschools must ensure all soaps, detergents, or other cleaning compounds are stored in areas separate from food supplies. 2938 Children should not play or otherwise be present in food preparation areas unless such activities are part of a supervised food-education program. 2939 F. A CTIVITIES A ND N APPING Child care centers must provide a variety of daily activities designed to meet the needs of the children. These activities can vary according to the children’s needs and the preschool’s capabilities. But preschools must provide rest and relaxation time for students. 2940 And no child may be left without supervision at any time. 2941 Preschools offering full-day programs must provide children with an opportunity to nap or rest without distraction or disturbance from other preschool activities. 2942 Each child under five years old in a full-day program must be given a napping space and a cot or mat. 2943 Preschools should have two or three extra cots or mats to provide to children five years old or older if that child becomes ill or tired. Preschools are not required to schedule napping periods or have napping equipment available for children in half-day programs. 2944 Children do not have to be asleep during the scheduled napping times. If a child wakes up early from a nap, or is restless, that child may engage in a quiet activity such as reading a book or drawing under the supervision of a teacher. If a child creates a disturbance for other children during napping time, another teacher not supervising the napping children must assist in supervising that child in a separate area. During nap periods a teacher-child ratio of one teacher supervising 24 napping children is permitted, as long as the remaining teachers necessary to meet the overall ratio requirements are immediately available at the preschool. 2945 A qualified teacher aide who is at least 18 years old may also supervise up to 24 napping children in place of the teacher as long as other teachers are immediately available at the preschool. 2946

An Administrator’s Guide to California Private School Law ©2019 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 652