(a) Drop-in centers. A drop-in center is a child care center that provides care for children on an occasional basis where no child is in attendance for more than six hours a day for a maximum of 24 hours a week with an allowance for six extra hours per child three times a year.
(b) Requirements. Drop-in centers are required to meet the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-1 through 340:110-3-33.1.
(c) Notifications. In addition to the requirements contained in OAC 340:110-3-5(c)(1), a notice provided by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) stating the maximum number of hours a child may be in care at the facility is prominently posted. This statement is also included in all drop-in center literature and advertising.
(d) Attendance records. In addition to the requirements pertaining to daily attendance records in OAC 340:110-3-6(b)(3), a record of each child's time of arrival and departure, with weekly documentation of total hours of attendance, is required.
(e) Toilets and sinks. Drop-in centers operating after July 1, 1995, are exempt from the requirements in OAC 340:110-3-11(b)(10). One toilet and one sink are required for every 25 children.
(f) Outdoor play space. Drop-in centers are exempt from the requirements pertaining to outdoor play space contained in OAC 340:110-3-11(d)(2). If outdoor play space is not provided, the drop-in center is also exempt from the requirements contained in OAC 340:110-3-22.
(g) Indoor equipment. Drop-in centers comply with the requirements contained in this subsection.
- (1) Drop-in centers are exempt from the requirements contained in OAC 340:110-3-14(b) through (g) with the exception of crib safety features and requirements for mattresses and playpen pads. Drop-in centers are required to have equipment from each category in OKDHS Appendix L-5, Child Care Center Minimum Indoor Equipment Requirements, for each age group served. A sufficient amount of equipment and materials is available to avoid excessive competition among children or long waits for equipment.
- (2) If outdoor play space is not available, large muscle equipment is provided according to the number of children in care, as listed in (A) through (D) of this paragraph. No more than two of the same item are allowed.
- (A) 1-12 children, 3 items.
- (B) 13-24 children, 6 items.
- (C) 25-36 children, 9 items.
- (D) 37-48 children, 12 items.
(h) Program. Lesson plans and daily schedules as required in OAC 340:110-3-25.1(a)(1) through (6) reflect the flexibility of the program.
(i) Food and nutrition. Drop-in centers that provide limited food service only are exempt from the requirements in OAC 340:110-3-28. All drop-in centers must:
- (1) serve a snack or meal to each child who is in care for four or more consecutive hours;
- (2) allow children in care to bring food from home if food is not provided;
- (3) refrigerate perishable foods at 41 degrees F. or below and keep a thermometer in the refrigerator or ice chest; and
- (4) post a daily menu if food is provided.
(j) Food service and sanitation. If limited food service only is provided, the food service and sanitation requirements in OAC 340:110-3-31(a) through (n) are not required.