Washoe County Child Care Licensing wants to ensure that all providers are aware of the recently approved changes to sections 24 and 29 of the Washoe County Child Care Licensing Regulations. These regulations were approved by the Board of County Commissioners on October 26, 2021.
*24.4: Staff-to-child ratio. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection 29.5 of these Regulations, licensee shall adhere to the following minimum standards for staff-to-child ratio:
A. Family child care home
1. One caregiver shall be on duty at all times with provisions for an alternate on call in case of an emergency.
2. Two caregivers shall be on duty when four or more of the children in the facility are children with special needs.
*3. Maximum number of children is six with the following limitations:
** The County, in consultation with the Fire Department chooses to be more restrictive than the State ratios for in-home care. Providers may care for no more than four children under the age of two years of age.
Please note that as written, the above regulation specifies that home providers can have no more than 4 children under the age of three years in their care at one time. You may have a total of four children between the ages of 12 months and three years if there are no children under the age of 12 months in the home.
*29.3, I, 5. Safe sleep requirements for infants under 12 months of age:
- Ensure that each infant under 12 months of age is placed in a free standing crib, portable crib, or playpen for napping or sleeping. Swings, bouncy seats, car seats, or other devices are not permitted for napping or sleeping;
- Ensure that each infant under 12 months of age is placed on his back on a firm mattress, mat, or pad manufactured for use by an infant when the infant is napping or sleeping;
- The staff of a facility shall not use a waterbed, sofa, sofa mattress, pillow, or any other soft surface on which to place an infant under 12 months of age to nap or sleep;
- No blankets, quilts, bumpers, pads, toys, or wedges are to be used in cribs or port-a-cribs. The sleeping space should be bare;
- Only a tight-fitting sheet designed to cover a mattress may be used for bed linens; and
- Wearable blankets designed to keep infants warm during sleep are permitted. Do not over bundle and keep the infant’s face and head uncovered during sleep. Swaddling with a blanket is not permitted.
Please reach out to your child care licensing surveyor with any questions.