5101:2-12-42 Cribs in licensed child care centers.

 

 

 

5101:2-12-42               Cribs in licensed child care centers.

 

 

 

(A)   Each infant shall be provided with a separate crib. The center shall have cribs, which meet requirements of this rule, for the total number of infants that the center is licensed to serve.

 

(1)   Each crib shall be labeled with the infant's name who is assigned to use the crib, and shall be for the infant's exclusive use.

 

(2)   Cribs and mattresses shall be thoroughly cleaned with an appropriate germicidal detergent and regularly and sanitized before assignment for use by another child.

 

(3)   When cribs are in use they shall be spaced apart from each other by a minimum of two feet on all sides.

 

(4)   If the center does not have all full size cribs, the center shall have a combination of full size and porta cribs.

 

(5)   Cribs shall be defined by size as follows:

 

(a)    "Full size crib" has an interior dimension greater than fifty-two inches (plus or minus five-eighths inch) in length and twenty-eight inches (plus or minus five-eighths inch) in width. With the mattress support in its lowest position and the crib side in its highest position. The vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper surface of the crib side or end panel shall not be less than twenty-six inches.

 

(i)   Only children under thirty-five inches tall shall be assigned to use a full size crib.

 

(ii)    Children thirty-five inches tall and over thirty-five inches tall shall be assigned to use a cot unless written authorization is obtained from a physician and updated every six months for the child to remain in the crib.

 

(b)    "Porta crib" has dimensions less than those specified for a full size crib. Only children under thirty inches tall shall be assigned to use a porta crib. Porta cribs with dimensions less than thirty-six inches in length and twenty-four inches in width shall not be used. With the mattress support in its lowest position and the crib side in its highest position, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress support to

 

 

the upper surface of the crib side or end panel shall not be less than twenty-two inches.

(6)   An infant sixteen months or older may be assigned to a cot with written parental permission. The crib assigned to the sixteen month old infant may be placed in storage onsite once the child is no longer using it, however, the crib shall not be assigned to another infant until the original child is eighteen months of age or no longer attending the center.

(7)   If a crib is considered hazardous for an infant, regardless of age, the infant may be assigned to a cot with written permission from parent or guardian.

(B)    Each crib shall be of sturdy construction, with closely spaced bars and with corner posts that do not exceed one sixteenth of an inch above the top of the end panel.

(1)   Spaces between the bars of the crib and between the bars and end panels of the crib shall not exceed two and three-eighths inches.

(2)   Stacked cribs shall be prohibited.

(3) Mesh cribs, playpens and bassinets of any type shall be prohibited for use during any nap time period.

(C)  Cribs shall be safe and meet the following standards.

(1)   The space between the mattress and the side or end panels of the crib shall not exceed one and one-half inches.

(2)   Each mattress shall be at least one and one half inches thick, securely covered with a waterproof material which is not dangerous to children and can be thoroughly sanitized and have a properly fitted clean crib sheet.

(3)   Bumper pads shall not be used in cribs or portable porta cribs.

(4)    Nothing shall obstruct the staff member's visibility of an infant and nothing shall be placed in the crib or hung over the side of the crib that obstructs this visibility.

(D)  Infants shall be cared for in a safe manner.

(1)   Infants shall not be placed in the cribs with bibs or any other items which could

pose a strangulation or suffocation risk. This includes devices designed to maintain sleep positions, unless prescribed in writing by a physician.

(2)    Infants shall be placed in their cribs for sleeping, and shall not be allowed to sleep in car seats, swings, mesh cribs, playpens, bassinets of any type, or other equipment. If a medical condition exists where a child needs to sleep in equipment other than a crib, written permission shall be obtained and updated every six months from a licensed physician and be available on file for review.

(3)     Infants shall be placed on their backs to sleep unless the child's licensed physician provides a written request to do otherwise on the JFS 01235 "Sleep Position Waiver" (rev. 9/2006) (rev. 03/2007). These forms shall be kept on file for review by the department.

Effective:                                                     09/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates:                         01/01/2012

CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Certification

06/18/2007

Date

Promulgated Under:                           119.03

Statutory Authority:                           5104.011

Rule Amplifies:                                  5104.011

Prior Effective Dates:                         3/1/81, 6/1/84, 9/1/86, 4/1/03, 1/1/07