NAC432A.440. Institutions: General requirements.

     1. A licensee of an institution may:

     (a) Contract with any parent for the supervision, care and guidance of a child;

     (b) Provide for the moral and religious training of the children according to the religious belief of the child or the child’s parents; or

     (c) Accept guardianship of a child when appointed as a guardian by a juvenile court.

     2. A licensee of an institution shall:

     (a) Establish the policies which it will follow and review the policies and purposes on a regular basis to determine whether the interests of the children are being served;

     (b) Review its practices to ensure that they do not discriminate in the employment of personnel, the admittance of children or the services provided to children on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or the marital status or age of the parents;

     (c) Approve a budget and be responsible for obtaining and disbursing money;

     (d) Maintain accurate records of the employment of members of its staff;

     (e) Employ a qualified person as director and delegate to the director the responsibility for the administration of the institution and the employment of other members of the staff; and

     (f) Notify the Division of any major changes which are pending or have occurred in the organization or administration of the institution, including any changes in its owner or director.

     3. A director of an institution shall:

     (a) Possess knowledge of services available for the welfare of children and demonstrate administrative skill and leadership;

     (b) Be a graduate of an accredited college or university and have taken a minimum of 15 credits in the social sciences;

     (c) Have at least 2 years’ experience in an administrative or supervisory position in a child care facility; and

     (d) Authorize a member of the staff who is qualified to be a director to act as director in his or her absence.

     4. The director, or a person to whom he or she has delegated responsibility, must be available to parents and the Division at all times.

     5. The licensee of an institution shall notify the parents of a child of the child’s discharge within a reasonable time before the discharge. Discharge of a child must be a part of a planned program which was established after informing the child and his or her parents. Upon discharge, the licensee of an institution shall provide pertinent information regarding the child’s health to the person receiving the child.

     6. A representative of the Division who is authorized by the Administrator of the Division must have access to any report of an institution which is pertinent to licensing.

     7. Each licensee of an institution shall develop a list of clothing which is required for each child at the institution and shall maintain the child’s wardrobe at a level which is comparable to that of other children in the community. Each child’s clothing must, by a label or marking, be identified as belonging to the particular child. Children must, to the greatest extent feasible, be allowed to participate in the selection and purchase of their clothing. Donated clothing may be used at an institution only if it is suitable for use and in good condition.

     8. Any serious illness or hospitalization of a child must be reported to the child’s parent.

     9. Each licensee of an institution shall arrange with a physician licensed in this State or with a clinic employing a physician to serve as the medical director of or consultant to the institution and to be responsible for a program of medical care within the institution, which includes visits to the institution and office visits.

     10. Each child must receive adequate dental care.

     11. Each licensee of an institution shall provide:

     (a) Separate toilets and bathrooms for children of each sex who are over 6 years of age;

     (b) Separate bath and toilet facilities for the staff;

     (c) One toilet for every eight children, one tub or shower for every eight children and one washbasin for every four children; and

     (d) At least one toilet and washbasin near every living room and recreation area.

     12. A licensee of an institution shall:

     (a) Provide each child with a bed for the child’s own use, which must be at least 30 inches wide, of a length which is adequate for the child’s height and the bottom of which is at least 6 inches above the floor;

     (b) Provide separate sleeping areas for boys and girls;

     (c) House no more than four children in one sleeping area, except that partitions may be used in large areas;

     (d) Keep all beds at least 3 feet apart at the head, foot and sides;

     (e) Provide each bed with level box springs, a comfortable and supportive mattress in good condition, a pillow, two sheets and coverings which are sufficient for the child’s comfort;

     (f) Provide a complete change of clean bed linens at least once a week; and

     (g) Provide each child with a closet, locker or dresser for clothing and personal belongings, access to which must be reserved solely to the child.

     [Bd. for Child Care, Child Care Facilities Reg. §§ 18.2-18.5, 18.8-18.10, 18.19 & 18.21-18.23, eff. 2-28-80]