[Adopted 7-20-1951]
In these rules and regulations, "child-care center" shall mean and include any agency giving day care to children, as defined in MGL c. 111, § 58, as amended.
These rules and regulations are made, and may be revised or changed, in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 111, § 60, as amended.
No person shall conduct a child-care center without obtaining a license from the Board of Health. An application therefor shall be in a form prescribed by the Board, and it and any statement attached to it shall contain such information as may be required by the Board.
A. 
Building. Any building used for a child-care center shall comply with all the local licensing, fire, safety and health regulations.
B. 
Room. No room located above the second floor and no basement rooms, the floor of which is more than three feet below the surface levels, shall be used for or as a part of a child-care center. All room used for that purpose shall be dry, well ventilated, and warm; any wooden floors shall be free from splinters, and the construction shall be such that they may be easily cleaned. Every room shall have a window area for natural lighting equal to not less than 20% of the floor area. Adequate protection from accident hazards due to stairways, windows, doors, radiators and pipes shall be provided.
C. 
Toilets. Not less than one toilet, of suitable height for the age of the children cared for, shall be provided for each 15 children or fraction thereof. Toilets shall be provided with "split seats" and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times.
D. 
Washbowls. Not less than one washbowl of suitable height furnished with hot and cold running water shall be provided for each 15 children or fraction thereof. Individual or single-use toilet articles, such as towels, wash cloths or combs, shall be provided.
E. 
Furniture. Tables and chairs, free from splinters and sharp edges, sturdy and of suitable height, shall be provided in sufficient number. Sufficient cots and blankets shall be available for each child remaining over four hours in the center. A telephone shall be available in the center.
F. 
Indoor and outdoor space. There shall be at least 35 square feet of floor space for each child, exclusive of halls, washrooms and kitchens. Ample outdoor playground space shall be provided.
A. 
Chest examination. All personnel, except students doing temporary practice teaching, serving a child-care center shall have a chest X-ray before employment and on alternate years thereafter. A record of each such chest examination, signed by a registered physician, shall be on file at the Board of Health at all times.
B. 
Physical examination of children. Within six months prior to admission to the child-care center, each child shall have a physical examination by a registered physician, a written report of which shall be filed at the center.
C. 
Immunization. Each child admitted to a child-care center should have been vaccinated against smallpox and immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
D. 
Daily inspection and examination. A daily inspection of each child to detect any communicable disease shall be made by a competent trained adult. The Board of Health nurse shall make an inspection of each child-care center from time to time as directed by the Board of Health. Upon detection of a child who is ill, or suspected of having a communicable disease, such child shall be immediately isolated in a suitable manner and place until he may be removed to his home. Provision for emergency first aid shall be available in each child center.
E. 
Transportation. Vehicles used to transport children to and from school shall not be overcrowded.
F. 
Service of liquids. Water, milk, fruit juices or any other liquid served to children at the center shall be dispensed in the original container with straws, or in individual single-use containers.
A. 
The person in charge of a child-care center shall have had training or experience in the care and education of children of pre-school age that is satisfactory to the Board of Health. Each such center shall provide properly trained persons to children cared for in the following ratio: one to 15 or fraction thereof.
B. 
Records should be kept to meet administrative requirements and to ensure knowledge of the needs of children. These should include: full names, home addresses, work addresses and telephones of parents; full name and date of birth of child; date when child entered and left center; attendance records with reasons for absence; records of all physical examinations and other matters relating to the child's health; and records of progress of the child.