5101:2-7-10. Care of a foster child under age two

(A) A foster child under two years of age or under thirty-five inches in height shall be provided with a full-sized crib which meets the following requirements:

(1) Crib slats shall be no more than two and three-eighths inches apart.

(2) Decorative cutout areas on crib end panels which could entrap the head of a child are not permitted.

(3) Only cribs that are compliant with the U.S. consumer product safety commission specifications shall be used.

(4) Each crib shall have a firm mattress which is at least one and one-half inches thick and covered with a waterproof material not dangerous to a child. The mattress shall fit close enough in the frame so that there is no more than one inch between the mattress and the sides of the crib.

(B) A bassinet or cradle may be used only for infants less than fifteen pounds in weight.

(C) A foster child under two years of age shall be provided with the following:

(1) Regular opportunities for individual attention and physical contact with a caring adult.

(2) Consistent and regular opportunities for safe and comfortable participation in developmental activities, as appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability, such as:

(a) Sitting.

(b) Crawling.

(c) Walking.

(d) Playing.

(D) A foster child under two years of age shall be supplied with safe play items appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability.

(E) A foster child under two years of age shall be fed according to instructions from the child's physician or the recommending agency as required by the individual child care agreement. A foster caregiver shall comply with the following requirements when feeding a child under the age of two:

(1) A caregiver shall ensure the child is placed in one of the following:

(a) High chair.

(b) Infant seat.

(c) Held.

(2) No foster child shall be placed in a crib or bassinet for feeding.

(3) A bottle shall not be propped for feeding at any time.

(F) Under both of the following conditions, a foster child under the age of two years may use a toddler bed or standard bed for sleeping:

(1) The foster caregiver, the custodial agency, and the recommending agency agree that the child continually creates a danger to him or her self by climbing out of his or her crib. Written documentation of any agreement shall be signed by a custodial agency representative and maintained in the foster caregiver's record.

(2) The child shall not use the upper bunk of a bunk bed.

(G) No one in the home is to co-sleep or bed-share with infants who are placed in the home.

Effective: 6/15/2020
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 3/19/2020 and 06/15/2025
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5103.03
Rule Amplifies: 5103.02, 5103.03
Prior Effective Dates: 12/30/1966, 10/01/1986, 02/01/1988, 01/01/1991, 09/18/1996, 09/01/2002, 12/11/2006, 08/01/2009, 07/01/2014, 04/01/2019