Minnesota Administrative Rules

9502.0415 ACTIVITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

Subpart 1.

General activities.

Day care activities must provide for the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of the child. The environment must facilitate the implementation of the activities. Activities must:

A.

be scheduled indoors and outdoors, weather permitting;

B.

be appropriate to the developmental stage and age of the child;

C.

include active and quiet activity; and

D.

contain provider-directed and child-initiated activity.

Subp. 2.

[Repealed, 10 SR 2617]

Subp. 3.

Equipment.

The provider must have the equipment specified in this part in adequate quantities for the number and ages of children in care and to carry out the activities specified in this part. Equipment may be new, used, commercial, or homemade, as long as it is appropriate for the ages of the children and activities for which it will be used, safe, and in good repair.

Subp. 4.

Newborn or infant activities.

The provider shall:

A.

Hold the infant or newborn during bottle feedings until the child can hold its own bottle. Bottles must not be propped.

B.

Respond to the infant or newborn's attempts to communicate.

C.

Provide freedom of movement to the infant or newborn during a large part of the waking day to the extent that safety and weather permits. The noncreeping child shall spend part of each day out of a crib or infant seat. The creeping infant or newborn shall have freedom to explore outside of the crib or infant seat.

D.

Give the infant or newborn opportunity to stimulate the senses by providing a variety of activities and objects to see, touch, feel, smell, hear, and taste.

E.

Provide activities for the infant or newborn that develop the child's manipulative and fine motor skills, self-awareness, and social responsiveness.

Subp. 5.

Newborn or infant equipment.

The following minimum equipment is required for each infant or newborn:

A.

an infant seat or high chair; and

B.

a crib, portable crib, or playpen with waterproof mattress or pad which meets the requirements in part 9502.0425, subpart 9.

Subp. 6.

Toddler activities.

The provider shall:

A.

Provide the toddler with freedom of movement and freedom to explore outside the crib or playpen.

B.

Talk to, listen to, and interact with the toddler to encourage language development.

C.

Provide the toddler with large muscle activities and activities which develop the child's small muscles and manipulative skills.

D.

Develop and stimulate learning by reading stories to the child or looking at picture books together.

E.

Give the toddler opportunities to stimulate the senses by providing a variety of age-appropriate activities and objects to see, touch, feel, smell, hear, and taste.

Subp. 7.

Toddler equipment.

Each toddler shall be provided with a mat, crib, cot, bed, sofa, or sleeping bag.

Subp. 8.

Preschooler activities.

The provider shall:

A.

Encourage conversation between the child and other children and adults.

B.

Provide opportunity to play near and with other children; provide time and space for individual and group play; allow for quiet times to talk or rest; allow for unplanned time and individual play time.

C.

Foster understanding of personal and peer feelings and actions and allow for the constructive release of feelings and anger through discussion or play.

D.

Give assistance in toileting and provide time to carry out self-help skills and provide opportunity to be responsible for activities like putting away play equipment and helping around the house.

E.

Provide opportunity for each child to make decisions about daily activities and to take credit for the consequences of decisions.

F.

Provide time and areas for age appropriate large muscle play.

G.

Provide learning, small muscle, manipulative, creative or sensory activities.

H.

Read stories, look at books together, and talk about new words and ideas with the child.

Subp. 9.

Preschooler equipment.

Each preschooler shall be provided with a mat, bed, cot, sofa, or sleeping bag.

Subp. 10.

School-age activities.

The provider shall:

A.

provide opportunities for individual discussion about the happenings of the day and planning for activities;

B.

provide space and opportunity for games, activities, or sports using the whole body, outdoors, weather permitting;

C.

provide space and opportunity for individual rest and quiet time;

D.

allow increased freedom as the child demonstrates increased responsibility;

E.

provide opportunities for group experiences with other children;

F.

provide opportunities to develop or expand self-help skills or real-life experiences; and

G.

provide opportunities for creative and dramatic activity, arts and crafts, or field trips.

Subp. 11.

[Repealed, 10 SR 2617]

Subp. 12.

Written permission.

Written permission must be obtained from the parent to allow a school-age child in care to participate in activities away from the residence.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 245A.09; 252.28

History:

9 SR 2106; 10 SR 2617

Published Electronically:

October 8, 2007