Section 251.095. Exceptions and additional requirements for care of school-age children.

 

(1)   Applicability. This section applies to group child care centers that serve only school-age children and group child care centers that serve school-age children in groups separate from children who are under 5 years of age. This section does not apply to group child care centers where school-age children are served in groups with children under 5 years of age.

(2)   Exceptions for group child care centers serving only school-age children. All requirements under ss. DCF 251.04 to 251.08 and 251.11 apply to group child care centers serving school-age children except for the following requirements:

(a) Section DCF 251.06 (2) (b) but only in regard to protection of electrical outlets.

(b) Section DCF 251.06 (8) (d) and (e) relating to shelves and storage space for clothing and personal belongings.

(c) Section DCF 251.06 (11) (b) 7. concerning a permanent enclosure of outdoor space. If hazards exist, such as traffic or bodies of water, the boundaries of outdoor play space shall be made known to the children.

(d) Section DCF 251.05 (1) (g) 2. , relating to training for assistant child care teachers.

(e) Section DCF 251.05 (3) (b) , relating to supervision of children, does not apply to children 8 years of age and older in the child care center.

(3)   Exceptions for group child care centers serving only school-age children in school buildings. The following requirements do not apply to group child care centers serving only school-age children in school buildings currently in use as school buildings:

(a) Section DCF 251.05 (1) (g) 2. , relating to training for assistant child care teachers.

(b) Section DCF 251.06 (1) (a) on maintaining a building inspection report.

(c) Section DCF 251.06 (4) (a) on fire extinguishers.

(d) Section DCF 251.06 (4) (j) on testing smoke detectors and fire alarms.

(dm) Section DCF 251.06 (5) (c) on the requirement that garbage containers be covered. All other requirements of this section shall be met.

(e) Section DCF 251.06 (6) (b) on testing well water.

(4)   Additional requirements for group child care centers serving school-age children.

(a) Supervision.

1. A center serving school-age children is responsible for the health, safety and well-being of a child between the time the child arrives at the center and the time the child is released to the parent or to another activity which is specifically authorized in writing by the parent.

2. The center shall have on file an agreement, signed by the parent, which specifies the attendance schedule to be followed and authorizes the child's release to activities away from the center.

3. School-age children 8 years of age and older may be authorized by staff to participate in center-sponsored activities in the child care center away from direct supervision by center staff.

5. School-age children 8 years of age and older may move between groups if a tracking method is implemented to ensure that child care workers know the whereabouts of each child assigned to the worker's care.

(b) Staff qualifications.

1. The administrator of a center serving only school-age children shall meet the requirements in s. DCF 251.05 (1) (d) 2. or department-approved experience, credits or courses in elementary education, physical education, child guidance or recreation or other department-approved training.

2. A center director or child care teacher of a center serving only school-age children shall meet the requirements of s. DCF 251.05 (1) (e) or (f) , as appropriate, or shall substitute for those requirements department-approved experience, credits or approved courses in elementary education, physical education, child guidance, recreation or other department-approved training.

3. Each assistant child care teacher shall meet the requirements in s. DCF 251.05 (1) (g) or shall have satisfactorily completed at least 10 hours of training approved by the department in the care of school-age children within 6 months after assuming the position.

(c) Program. A center serving school-age children shall have a planned program which provides a change from the routine of school through provision of:

1. Rest and quiet areas.

2. Recreational activities, including outdoor and active play.

3. Freedom for children to select and plan their own activities.

(d) Meals and snacks.

1. Children enrolled in school who are attending the center when a meal or snack is served shall be offered the meal or snack.

2. School-age children present after school shall be served a snack.

Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493 , eff. 8-1-97; correction in (2) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, April, 1999, No. 520 ; CR 03-052 : renum. from HFS 46.10 and am. (1), (2) (intro.), (c), (3) (intro.) and cr. (3) (dm) Register December 2004 No. 588 , eff. 3-1-05; corrections in (2), (3) and (4) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635 ; CR 07-102 : am. (2) (intro.), (c), (e), (4) (a) 3., (b) 1. and 3., cr. (4) (a) 5. Register December 2008 No. 636 , eff. 1-1-09; correction in (4) (b) 3. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635 ; 2015 Wis. Act 132 : am. (2) (d), (3) (a) Register February 2016 No. 722 , eff. 3-1-16.

Note

The requirements in pars. (b) to (e) do not apply to centers serving only school-age children in school buildings because school buildings are covered in chs. SPS 361 to 365 and NR 109 . Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 The licensee may use either the department's form, Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement — Child Care Centers, or the licensee's own form for securing the parent's signed agreement. Information on how to obtain the department's form is available on the department's website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov , or from any regional licensing office in Appendix A. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1