OCFP

Office

of

 Child and Family Policy

 

Department of Children and Family Services

 

Index No: 99-03

 

Issuance Date: February 5, 1999

 

Origin of Request: Central Office of Licensing

 

Distribution: Licensing Staff, Administrative Staff, Office of Child and Family Policy (A,L,P)

 

Key Words: 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407, Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 406, Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 408, Licensing Standards for Group Day Care Homes, Blankets

 

Approved by:

 

Interpretation

 

Applicable To:            Licensed Day Care Centers

Licensed Day Care Homes

Licensed Group Day Care Homes

 

Policy Citation:          407.350(e):  Freshly laundered sheets and blankets shall be provided and changed at least twice per week for infants and toddlers and at least once per week for preschool children, or more frequently if wet or soiled.

 

406.22(f)(4):  Bed linens used on cots, cribs or playpens shall be safe, tightly, fitting, and washable.

 

408.105(b)(2):  Routines such as naps and feedings shall be discussed with the parents and shall be consistent with the child’s routine at home.

 

408.105(f)(4):  Bed linens used on the cots, cribs, or playpens shall be safe, tightly fitting, and washable.

 

Question:       Can a light blanket be placed over a sleeping child’s face?

 

Discussion:    Licensing standards for day care centers, day care homes and group day care homes require that bed linen be safe, tightly fitting and washable.  The standards are silent on the use of the blankets.

 

Children have different sleeping habits and can pull a blanket up to or over their faces when sleeping.  It would not be appropriate for a staff person to place a blanket over a child’s head that was already sleeping.  If the child pulls the blanket over his/her head on their own, the staff have a responsibility to monitor the children and check the child under the blanket on a periodic basis.  Pulling the blanket away from the child’s face once they are asleep would be appropriate.

 

Response:     Day care providers shall assure that children have safe, tightly fitting and washable bed linen.  They shall monitor the children while napping.  If a child pulls the blanket over their face, the staff shall monitor the child on a periodic basis.  The staff shall not place the blanket on a sleeping child’s face.