Section 470IAC3-4.7-53. Rest periods

   (a) Caregivers shall provide a supervised rest period for children four (4) year of age and under after the noon meal and at any other time if requested by any age child. (This does not apply to children in attendance less than four (4) hours per day.)

  (b) Children of all ages shall not rest or sleep on the floor. Staff shall provide cots for all children that rest as follows:

(1) Cots shall be firm, portable, easily sanitized, in good repair, and have the underside of the sleeping surface off the floor.

(2) Staff shall sanitize cots daily after each use. Staff may sanitize cots weekly if the same child uses the same cot each day. If staff sanitize cots weekly, they shall clearly identify assigned cots.

(3) Staff shall space cots at a minimum of two (2) feet apart on all sides, except where they touch a wall or other room divider.

(4) Aisles between cots shall be kept clear of all obstructions while the cots are occupied.

(5) Cots shall not block exits.

  (c) The center shall assure that a cover is provided as follows for each child:

(1) The cover shall be clean, individually marked, and maintain comfort and warmth.

(2) The cover shall be washed at least weekly or promptly if soiled.

(3) If different children use the same cover, staff shall wash the cover between uses.

(4) Children's faces and heads shall be free from covering.

  (d) The center shall provide individual storage so that one (1) child's cover does not touch the cover of another child.

  (e) When resting, children shall lie in such a way that direct face-to-face situations are avoided.

  (f) After thirty (30) minutes, caregivers shall provide supervised alternate activities for nonsleeping children.

  (g) Caregivers shall permit sleeping children to awaken naturally at their own pace.

  (h) During the rest period for children toddler age and older, caregivers may supervise children at fifty percent (50%) of the required child/staff ratio provided that:

(1) the required child/staff ratio is maintained on the premises;

(2) required caregivers are immediately accessible; and

(3) a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the children in the class are asleep.

  (i) The fifty percent (50%) reduction in child/staff ratios does not apply to infants.

  (j) Caregivers shall supervise sleeping children and never leave them unattended.

  (k) Rest areas shall have a minimum average of five (5) foot-candles of light in all areas.

  (l) Caregivers shall make rest periods flexible based on discussions with the parent and the child's individual needs. (Division of Family Resources; 470 IAC 3-4.7-53; filed Aug 11, 2003, 3:00 p.m.: 27 IR 132; errata filed Nov 7, 2003, 2:45 p.m.: 27 IR 1184; readopted filed Oct 24, 2007, 11:25 a.m.: 20071121-IR-470070448RFA; readopted filed Aug 23, 2013, 3:36 p.m.: 20130918-IR-470130306RFA)