| Action | Revisions to the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers |
| Stage | NOIRA |
| Comment Period | Ended on 1/31/2024 |
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8VAC20-781-40 A
2. Abusive head trauma prevention and, if serving infants or toddlers, prevention of shaken baby syndrome, coping with crying babies and distraught children.
3. Safe sleeping practices and sudden infant death syndrome awareness.
Could be one item
8VAC20-781-460 and 8VAC20-781-470
Prior to a child being able to participate in swimming or wading activities, and annually thereafter, the center shall obtain (i) written permission from the parent of each child who participates in swimming or wading including a statement advising of the child's swimming skills, and (ii) a written assessment from a certified lifeguard or an adult who is familiar with basic swimming strokes to determine if the child is a swimmer or nonswimmer before the child is allowed in water with a depth of more than two feet.
If children are swimming or wading the center shall follow the posted rules and explain those rules to children participating in swimming or wading activities.
At no time shall there be fewer than two staff members supervising the activity. Notwithstanding ratio requirements in 8VAC20-781-280 and 8VAC20-781-290 A, staff actively supervising children in the water, shall only be responsible for the supervision of children participating in the water activity and additional staff shall be available to supervise children not participating.
The licensee shall ensure that staff have a system for accounting at all times for all children in the water and in the aquatic area.
When permanent swimming or wading pools are located on the premises of the center, the following shall apply:
The manufacturer's specifications for operating the pool shall be followed as well as any local ordinances and any Department of Health requirements for swimming pools;
Pools constructed, renovated, or remodeled after April 1, 1986, shall have a statement in writing of their inspection and approval from the local building official when such approval is required;
Entrances shall be locked when not in use.
Outdoor swimming pools shall be enclosed by safety fences and gates which are in compliance with the applicable edition of the Virginia USBC (13VAC5-62)
A whistle or other audible signaling device, a buoy or a lemon line, a reach pole, and a backboard shall be available at the swimming or wading site.
If children are allowed to swim in a lake or other place other than a pool, safe swimming areas shall be clearly marked and there shall be appropriate water safety equipment. Piers, floats, and platforms shall be in good repair and where used for diving, the minimum water depth shall be stated on the deck or planking.
If a pool, lake, or other swimming area has a water depth of more than two feet, a certified lifeguard holding a current certification shall be on duty supervising whenever a child is participating in swimming or wading activities.
One lifeguard for every 25 children in the water shall be on duty and supervising the children.
The designated certified lifeguard shall not be counted in the staff-to-children ratios.
The lifeguard certification shall (i) include an in-person competency demonstration, and (ii) be obtained from an individual or organization holding instructor certification from an organization such as the American Red Cross.
Outdoor swimming activities shall occur only during daylight hours unless underwater and deck lighting is provided.
Portable wading pools without an integrated filtration system shall be
emptied, rinsed, and filled with fresh water after use by a group of children, or more frequently as necessary,
shall be emptied, sanitized, and stored in a position to keep them clean and dry, after each day's use
not used by children who are not toilet trained.
That is just reorganized, I think some of is unnecessary, I marked that in italic, they are new and seem obscure and unnecessary.