Knowledge Beginnings

7.10(09)(b)(01)

Age Group / Full or Half Day Program: Infants (up to 15 months old)(Full or Half Day) Maximum Group Size: 7 Educator / Child Ratio: 1: 3, 1 additional educator for 4 – 7 infants Educator Qualifications: At least 1 Infant/Toddler Teacher, per 7.09(18)(c)(02) Domain: Health and Safety. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(06)

Chipping and Peeling Paint. The licensee must maintain the interior and exterior of the program in good repair, free of chipping, flaking, or peeling paint or broken plaster. Domain: Physical Facility - Indoors. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(13)(e)

Programs serving infants must: Domain: Sleep, Rest, Quiet Activities. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(10)

Indoor Space. The indoor space must be clean, safely maintained, well-ventilated and well-lit, of sufficient size for the children served, and must encourage play and learning. Domain: Health and Safety. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(13)(d)(03)(c)

provide sleeping materials that are individually marked and in good repair and clean; and Domain: Equipments and Materials. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(10)(k)

Personal items intended for individual use by children, including but not limited to bottles, pacifiers, toothbrushes and sleeping materials, must be labeled with the name of the child for whom they are intended. Domain: Health and Safety. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.09(17)(a)(02)(c)

the content of the orientation which must include, but not be limited to a review of the following: job description; personnel policies; statement of purpose; statement of non-discrimination; health care policy, including medication administration policies and infant sleeping positions; information contained in the children’s records that is pertinent to the education and care of the children; the program’s confidentiality policy; child guidance policies and procedures for protecting children from abuse and neglect; suspension and termination policy; emergency plans and procedures; program plans; referral procedures; transportation plans; procedures for parent visits, input, conferences and communication; the identification of the Department of Early Education and Care as the licensing authority; and notification that 102 CMR 1.00 and 606 CMR 7.00 and 14.00 are available at the program site. Domain: Medications. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(01)

The licensee must ensure that the physical facilities are safe, clean, in good repair and free from hazards and clutter. The licensee must monitor the environment daily to identify and remove or repair any hazards that may cause injury to children. Exits and evacuation routes must be kept clear of obstructions. Domain: Physical Facility - Indoors. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(14)(c)

in a manner that protects the privacy of each child: Domain: Postings. Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(18)(d)(01)

a current staff records check list that reflects all regular employees, Domain: Review of Written Materials. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(02)(l)(05), 7.11(02)(l)(04), 7.11(02)(l)(03), 7.11(02)(l)(02), 7.11(02)(l)(01) — Current consent for administered medications

Current consent for administered medications Type of Medication: Topical, non-Prescription (not applied to open wounds or broken skin) Written Parental Consent Required: Yes, renewed annually Health Care Practitioner Authorization Required: No. Items not applied to open wounds or broken skin may be supplied by program with notification to parents of such, or parents may send in preferred brands of such items for their own child(ren)’s use. Logging Required: No for items not applied to open wounds or broken skin., Type of Medication: Topical, non-Prescription (when applied to open wounds or broken skin) Written Parental Consent Required: Yes, renewed annually Health Care Practitioner Authorization Required: No in FCC. Yes in Large and Small Group. Must be in original container with original label containing the name of the child affixed Logging Required: Yes, including name of child, dosage, date, time, & staff signature, Type of Medication: Unanticipated Non-Prescription for Mild Symptoms (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamines) Written Parental Consent Required: Yes, renewed annually Health Care Practitioner Authorization Required: No in FCC. Yes in Large and Small Group. Must be in original container with original label containing the name of the child affixed Logging Required: Yes, including name of child, dosage, date, time, & staff signature, Type of Medication: Oral Non-Prescription Written Parental Consent Required: Yes, renewed weekly with dosage, times, days and purpose Health Care Practitioner Authorization Required: No in FCC. Yes in Large and Small Group. Must be in original container with original label containing the name of the child affixed Logging Required: Yes, including name of child, dosage, date, time, & staff signature. Missed doses must also be noted along with the reason(s) why the dose was missed., Type of Medication: All Prescription Written Parental Consent Required: Yes Health Care Practitioner Authorization Required: Yes. Must be in original container with original label containing the name of the child affixed. Logging Required: Yes, including name of child, dosage, date, time, & staff signature. Missed doses must also be noted along with the reason(s) why the dose was missed. Domain: Medication. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(10)(c), 7.11(10)(d), 7.11(10)(f), 7.11(10)(g), 7.11(10)(h), 7.11(10)(i), 7.11(10)(j), 7.11(10)(m), 7.11(10)(l) — Infection Control/Hand Washing

Infection Control/Hand Washing The licensee must ensure that educators and children wash their hands with liquid soap and running water, using friction, in accordance with DPH guidelines. Hands must be dried with individual or disposable towels or automatic hand blow-dryers. The use of common towels is prohibited. Educators and children must wash their hands at least at the following times:, In addition, educators must wash their hands:, The licensee must ensure that equipment, materials, items or surfaces (including floors, walls and clothing used for dramatic play) are washed with soap and water and disinfected as needed to maintain a sanitary environment., All floors used by children must be swept and/or vacuumed daily., All eating surfaces must be washed and disinfected before and after each use., Where applicable, the following items, equipment and surfaces must be washed and disinfected after each use:, Toys mouthed by children must be set aside and stored after each use and may not be used by another child until they are washed and disinfected., The following must be washed and disinfected at least weekly:, The following items must be monitored for cleanliness and washed and disinfected at least daily: Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(03) — Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP)

Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) Individual Health Care Plans The licensee must maintain as part of a child’s record, an individual health care plan for each child with a chronic medical condition, which has been diagnosed by a licensed health care practitioner. The plan must describe the chronic condition, its symptoms, any medical treatment that may be necessary while the child is in care, the potential side effects of that treatment, and the potential consequences to the child’s health if the treatment is not administered. Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(02)(c), 7.11(02)(e) — Medication

Medication All prescription medications must be in the containers in which they were originally dispensed and with their original labels affixed. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original manufacturer’s packaging., Unless otherwise specified in a child’s individual health care plan, the educator must store all medications out of the reach of children and under proper conditions for sanitation, preservation, security and safety during the time the children are in care and during the transportation of children. Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(13)(d), 7.07(01), 7.07(02), 7.07(10) — Indoor Space

Indoor Space All play equipment, fences and structures must be free of entrapment hazards., The licensee must ensure that the physical facilities are safe, clean, in good repair and free from hazards and clutter. The licensee must monitor the environment daily to identify and remove or repair any hazards that may cause injury to children. Exits and evacuation routes must be kept clear of obstructions., Building Inspection. Every program that is not located in a residence and every program that has a licensed capacity of more than 10 children must provide a certificate of inspection from the Department of Public Safety or the local building inspector certifying that the facility complies with the State Building Code (780 CMR). The certificate must indicate the following:, Indoor Space. The indoor space must be clean, safely maintained, well-ventilated and well-lit, of sufficient size for the children served, and must encourage play and learning. Domain: Physical Facility - Indoors. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.05(05), 7.05(06), 7.05(08) — Child Guidance & Interactions

Child Guidance & Interactions Educators must provide guidance to children in a positive and consistent way based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of children by:, Educators must have a method of communicating effectively with each child., The following practices are strictly prohibited: Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(07), 7.04(08)(b), 7.06(05)(b), 7.10(09)(a)(05) — Children's Records

Children's Records Children’s Records. The licensee must maintain an individual written record for each child that includes:, For school age children, the licensee may accept either:, The licensee must obtain parental consent prior to contacting any outside social, educational or health care resource or service provider on behalf of an individual child. If such direct contacts are made by the program, the licensee must maintain a written record of such contacts and the results of such contacts., Whenever a child is considered for assignment in a fixed age group outside his chronologically defined age group, the licensee must: Domain: Administration. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.10(08)(b)(02), 7.09(05) — Staff Schedule/Qualifications - R Sep 2025

Staff Schedule/Qualifications - R Sep 2025 the Licensee must keep the schedule current and posted in an area easily visible to educators, parents and visitors., All educators must possess the qualifications required for their positions in accordance with EEC regulations. Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.10(05)(d), 7.10(05)(f) — Supervision of Children

Supervision of Children Educators must be positioned to maximize their ability to see and/or hear children in their care., Educators must not engage in any other activities or tasks that could unnecessarily divert their attention from supervising the children. Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(05)(a), 7.04(05)(b), 7.04(05)(c), 7.09(09) — Staff Records

Staff Records documentation that the employee has the qualifications required under 606 CMR 7.09, including, but not limited to, health records, as required by 606 CMR 7.09(11);, copies of licenses, certifications and registrations held, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle operator’s license (if the staff member transports children) and EEC educator qualification;, documentation of orientation, training and professional development, as required by 606 CMR 7.09(15)(d-f), 7.09(16)(c) and 7.09(17)(a), and 7.11(1), 7.09 (18)(d), and 7.09(19)(b),as applicable;, All educators must attend an orientation to early education and care approved by the Department. Domain: Administration. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(01) — EEC Essentials Training completion

EEC Essentials Training completion Training. All educators must be trained in the program’s emergency and evacuation procedures, in standard precautions and in medication administration procedures. Domain: Administration. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.09(17)(a)(02)(c)

the content of the orientation which must include, but not be limited to a review of the following: job description; personnel policies; statement of purpose; statement of non-discrimination; health care policy, including medication administration policies and infant sleeping positions; information contained in the children’s records that is pertinent to the education and care of the children; the program’s confidentiality policy; child guidance policies and procedures for protecting children from abuse and neglect; suspension and termination policy; emergency plans and procedures; program plans; referral procedures; transportation plans; procedures for parent visits, input, conferences and communication; the identification of the Department of Early Education and Care as the licensing authority; and notification that 102 CMR 1.00 and 606 CMR 7.00 and 14.00 are available at the program site. Domain: Medications. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(07)(d) — Playground free from hazards; fenced if applicable

Playground free from hazards; fenced if applicable The outdoor play area must be free from hazards including but not limited to: a busy street, a parking lot, poisonous plants, water hazards, debris, broken glass, chipping, peeling or flaking paint, dangerous machinery or tools, and weather-related and environmental hazards or small objects that could present a choking hazard to young children. Any such hazard must be removed or fenced by a sturdy, permanently installed barrier which is at least four feet high or otherwise protected or removed, as appropriate. Domain: Physical Facility - Outdoors. Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.12(07)(e), 7.12(07)(d), 7.12(07)(c), 7.12(07)(b), 7.12(09) — Food Storage, Sanitation & Safety

Food Storage, Sanitation & Safety the licensee must properly wash and sanitize all bottles, eating utensils, drinking utensils, dishes, and preparation utensils after each use;, the licensee must store all food in clean, covered containers;, the licensee must ensure that foods are not served to children beyond their recommended dates of use;, the licensee must ensure that snacks and meals are prepared and served in a safe and sanitary manner;, Eating and drinking utensils must be free from defects, cracks and chips and appropriate to the ages and needs of the children, including children with disabilities. Disposable cups and plates may be used. If plastic utensils are used, they must be heavy-duty and if reused, must be designed for this purpose and dishwasher safe. Domain: Health. Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(02)(j), 7.11(02)(l) — Documentation of medication administration; Current consent for medications

Documentation of medication administration; Current consent for medications Each time a medication is administered, the educator must document in the child’s record the name of the medication, the dosage, the time and the method of administration, and who administered the medication, except as noted in (k) below., All medications must be administered in accordance with the consent and documentation requirements specified below: Domain: Health. Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).