Document Citation: N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-12

Header:
NORTH DAKOTA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 75. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
ARTICLE 3. COMMUNITY SERVICES
CHAPTER 10. CHILD CARE CENTER EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:

75-03-10-12. Minimum qualifications for all staff members responsible for caring for or teaching children.

1. Staff members:

a. Shall be at least fourteen years of age, provided that each staff member under age sixteen has written parental consent for employment as a staff member, and the employment arrangements comply with North Dakota Century Code chapter 34-07;

b. Shall be individuals of good physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health and shall use mature judgment when making decisions impacting the quality of child care;

c. Shall certify completion of a department-approved basic child care course within the first three months of employment, with the exception of substitute staff members and emergency designees;

d. Shall certify the staff member"s own annual successful completion of the department-approved training related to child care as set forth below:

(1) If working thirty or more hours per week, certify thirteen hours of department-approved training annually;

(2) If working fewer than thirty hours and more than twenty hours per week, certify eleven hours of department-approved training annually;

(3) If working fewer than twenty hours and at least ten hours per week, certify nine hours of department-approved training annually; and

(4) If working fewer than ten hours per week, certify seven hours of department-approved training annually; and

e. Shall not place a child in an environment that would be harmful or dangerous to the child's physical, cognitive, social, or emotional health;

2. Receive a two-day, onsite orientation to the child care program during the first week of employment. The director shall document orientation of each staff member responsible for caring for or teaching children on an orientation certification form. The orientation must address the following:

a. Emergency health, fire, and safety procedures for the center;

b. The importance of handwashing and sanitation procedures to reduce the spread of infection and disease among children and staff members;

c. Any special health or nutrition problems of the children assigned to the staff member;

d. Any special needs of the children assigned to the staff member;

e. The planned program of activities at the child care center;

f. Rules and policies of the child care center; and

g. Child abuse and neglect reporting laws; and

3. Ensure safe care for children under supervision. Supervision means a staff member responsible for caring for or teaching children being within sight or hearing range of an infant, toddler, or preschooler at all times so the staff member is capable of intervening to protect the health and safety of the child. For the school-age child, it means a staff member responsible for caring for or teaching children being available for assistance and care so that the child"s health and safety is protected.