(a) Responsible agent. A child care center is operated by a public or private organization or an individual.
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(1) A public child care center is created and exists by an act of the state, county, city, or other political subdivision and operated under the control of a governmental agency.
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(2) A not-for-profit center operates under a governing board responsible for developing policies and establishing and maintaining a sound financial structure.
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(3) A proprietary child care center's owner is responsible for the policy and financial structure of the child care center.
(b) Purpose. A statement defining the purpose or function of the child care center is filed with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and includes:
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(1) ages of children accepted;
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(2) hours of operation; and
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(3) type of care and services offered.
(c) Notifications. Requirements pertaining to notifications are contained in this subsection.
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(1) The items posted in a prominent place where staff, parents, and others may view them are the:
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(A) center's license, permit, or notice of denial or revocation of license;
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(B) name of the person responsible for the center during the director's absence;
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(C) notice of the requirement to report suspected child abuse and neglect;
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(D) notice prohibiting smoking anywhere in the facility while children are in care;
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(E) emergency procedures;
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(F) weekly menu of all food provided by the center; and
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(G) evacuation plan.
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(2) The items accessible in a place where staff, parents, and others may easily view them are:
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(A) the daily program schedule;
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(C) a time schedule for use of outdoor play space if the center is licensed for 24 or more children and has outdoor play space of less than 75 square feet per child, per
OAC 340:110-3-11(d)(2); and
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(D) a certificate of One Star Plus, Two Star, or Three Star status, if applicable.
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(3) Form 07LC093E, Insurance Exception Notification, if applicable per
OAC 340:110-3-5.1(c), is posted in clear view of the main entrance to the facility.
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(4) A notice of staff-child ratios and group size is posted in every room where children are in care.
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(5) In accordance with
Section 7103 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, any person who has reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected is required to report the matter promptly to the statewide toll-free Child Abuse Hot Line, 1-800-522-3511. It is a misdemeanor for any person to fail to report.
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(6) The center is required to notify the OKDHS Oklahoma Child Care Services (OCCS) Licensing Services (Licensing) on the next working day of:
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(A) a temporary, unscheduled, or permanent closing of the center;
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(B) a change in the director;
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(C) changes in liability insurance coverage;
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(D) any damage to the facility that affects the amount of usable square footage or compliance with any requirement;
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(E) legal action against a center or staff person that involves or affects a child in care or the operation of the center;
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(F) any known criminal charges or child abuse investigations involving staff that are pending or have had a disposition;
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(G) an accident involving transportation unless there were no injuries and only minor damage to the vehicles;
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(H) any injury to a child requiring emergency medical attention; and
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(I) the death of a child that occurred while the child was in care.
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(7) The center is required to notify Licensing at least 30 days prior to:
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(A) a change in ownership or sponsorship;
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(B) a change in name of the center;
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(C) any change or alteration to the physical facility that affects the amount of usable square footage or compliance with any requirements;
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(D) the anticipated closing or relocation of the child care center; and
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(E) a proposed change in the licensed capacity.
(d) Public access to records-Compliance Posting.
(e) Compliance file. A compliance file that is accessible to staff, parents, and others contains:
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(1) the most recent child care licensing monitoring report provided by the licensing specialist;
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(2) the following documents issued by Licensing within the last 120 days:
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(A) child care licensing monitoring reports and licensing correspondence;
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(B) Form 07LC037E, Notice to Comply;
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(C) licensing complaints; and
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(D) Form 04CP004E, Child Welfare Investigative Summary Notification to (OCCS), with findings of unconfirmed or unsubstantiated to include findings of services not needed, ruled out, or services recommended; and
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(3) Form 04CP004E with findings of confirmed or substantiated, for one year from the completion of the investigation.
(f) Effect of change in ownership or location on license. When a center changes ownership or location: