Section 400.8176. Sleeping equipment.

(1) All bedding and sleeping equipment shall be appropriate for the child; be clean, comfortable, and safe; and be in good repair.

(2)   A crib or porta-crib shall be provided for all infants in care.

(3)   A crib, porta-crib, cot, or mat and a sheet or blanket of appropriate size shall be provided for all toddlers and preschoolers under 3 years of age in care.

(4)    A cot or a mat and a sheet or blanket of appropriate size shall be provided as follows:

(a)    For all preschoolers 3 years of age and older in care for 5 or more continuous hours.

(b)   For any child in care who regularly naps.

(c)   Upon a parent’s request for any child in care.

(5)   Car seats, infant seats, swings, bassinets, and playpens are not approved sleeping equipment.

(6)   A center shall not use stacking cribs.

(7)    Cribs and porta-cribs shall comply with the federal product safety standards issued by the consumer product safety commission.

(8)   A crib or porta-crib shall have a firm, tight-fitting waterproof mattress.

(9)   A tightly fitted bottom sheet shall cover the crib or porta-crib mattress with no additional padding placed between the sheet and mattress.

(10)   Soft objects, bumper pads, stuffed toys, blankets, quilts, comforters, and other objects that could smother a child shall not be placed in a crib or porta-crib with a resting or sleeping infant.

(11)   Blankets shall not be draped over cribs or porta-cribs when in use.

(12)     Cots  and  mats  shall   be  constructed   of  a  fabric   or  plastic  which   is  easily cleanable.

(13)    All sleeping equipment and bedding shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized when soiled, between uses by different children, and at least once a week regardless of use by different children.

(14)   When sleeping equipment and bedding are stored, both of the following apply:

(a)   Sleeping surfaces shall not come in contact with other sleeping surfaces.

(b)   Bedding shall not come in contact with other bedding.

(15)   All occupied cribs, porta-cribs, cots, and mats shall be placed in such a manner that there is a free and direct means of egress and shall be spaced, as follows:

(a)   Cribs and porta-cribs at least 2 feet apart. Cribs or porta-cribs with solid-panel ends may be placed end-to-end.

(b)   Cots and mats at least 18 inches apart.

History: 2013 AACS.