The Astounding Academy

Rule .36(3)(a-b) - Transportation Training (Recite-Not Met): (3) Transportation Training. Child Care Learning Centers that provide any type of transportation shall obtain two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training, biannually, for the Director and for each Staff person responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children. The training shall include, but is not limited to, a review of the transportation rules, a review of approved transportation forms and procedures, and instruction on the usage and completion of the forms and procedures. This training may be counted as part of the annual training requirements for Staff. (a) The Director and each Staff person who is responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children shall complete two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training on or before June 30, 2015 and at least every two years thereafter. (b) Effective July 1, 2015, the Director and each Staff person who will be responsible for or participate in the transportation of children shall have completed two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training prior to assuming any duties related to the transportation of children and at least every two years thereafter.

Rule .35(3) - Pool Ratios: (3) Supervision of Children in Water Two (2) Feet Deep and Over. For water-related activity (such as swimming, fishing, boating or wading) in water two (2) feet deep and over, continuous supervision of children must be provided as follows: Ages of Children Staff:Child Ratio* Under two and one-half (2 1/2) yrs. 1:2 Two and one-half (2 1/2) to four (4) yrs. 1:5 Four (4) yrs. and older who cannot swim a distance of fifteen (15) yards unassisted ** 1:6 Four (4) yrs. and older who can swim a distance of fifteen (15) yards unassisted** 1:15 * At least one person must have current evidence of having completed successfully a training program in lifeguarding offered by a water-safety instructor certified by the American Red Cross or YMCA or YWCA or other recognized standard-setting agency for water safety instruction. Such person may be a Center Staff member or an employee of a water facility (e.g., local swimming pool). ** In lieu of requiring each child to take a swimming test to determine whether the child can swim a distance of fifteen (15) yards unassisted, Center Staff may accept copies of certificates or cards from a recognized water-safety instruction organization showing that the child has successfully completed a swimming class which required the child to swim a distance of fifteen (15) yards unassisted.

Rule .09(1)(j) - Portability-Records Check Determination: (j) Portability for Directors, Employees and Provisional Employees, excluding Students-in-Training. Only the most recently issued determination letter is eligible for portability and must be ported electronically. A Center may accept a satisfactory Fingerprint Records Check Determination letter or a satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination letter issued by the Department if the Records Check Clearance Date is within the preceding 12 months from the hire date, the individual has not had a lapse of employment from the child care industry that lasted for 180 days (6 months) or longer, and the Center does not know or reasonably should not know that the individual's satisfactory status has changed.

Rule .36(7)(d)2. - Responsible Person checked vehicle - 2nd Check: 2. The second designated Staff person shall conduct a check of the vehicle immediately upon the completion of the first check of the vehicle. The responsible person shall physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle's interior; and sign the passenger transportation checklist(s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle. There shall be continuous watchful oversight of the vehicle between the first check and second check.

Rule .36(7)(c)2. - Load/Unload Accounted For: The driver or other designated person shall immediately document in writing, with a check or other mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist each time a child enters and exits the vehicle. The driver or other designated staff person shall document in writing with a different mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist who was not present on the vehicle for any reason. An explanation shall be documented in writing whenever a child is transported to a field trip site but is not present on the return trip to the Center.

Rule .36(6) - Parental Authorization (Recite-Not Met): (6) Parental Authorization. For routine transportation provided by the Center or on behalf of the Center, the child's Parent(s) must provide written authorization for the transportation and specify routine pick-up location, routine pick-up time, routine delivery location, routine delivery time and the name of any person authorized to receive the child.

Rule .36(4)(b) - Vehicle Interior (Recite-Not Met): (b) Interior. Interior of a transportation vehicle must be clean, in safe repair and free of hazardous items, objects and/or other non-essential items which could impede the children's access or egress from the vehicle or cause injury if the items were thrown about the vehicle as a result of a collision.

Rule .36(4)(a) - Vehicle Safety Check (Recite-Not Met): (4)(a) Vehicle Safety. Vehicles used for transporting children shall be maintained as follows: Annual Safety Check. Each vehicle shall have a satisfactory annual safety check, completed by a trained individual, of at least: tires, headlights, horn, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, brakes, suspension, exhaust system, steering, windows, windshields and windshield wipers. A copy of a standard inspection report used by the Department or an equivalent shall be kept in the Center or on the vehicle and should include evidence of any repairs and/or replacements that were identified as needed on the inspection report.

Rule .36(3)(a-b) - Transportation Training (Recite-Not Met): (3) Transportation Training. Child Care Learning Centers that provide any type of transportation shall obtain two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training, biannually, for the Director and for each Staff person responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children. The training shall include, but is not limited to, a review of the transportation rules, a review of approved transportation forms and procedures, and instruction on the usage and completion of the forms and procedures. This training may be counted as part of the annual training requirements for Staff. (a) The Director and each Staff person who is responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children shall complete two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training on or before June 30, 2015 and at least every two years thereafter. (b) Effective July 1, 2015, the Director and each Staff person who will be responsible for or participate in the transportation of children shall have completed two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training prior to assuming any duties related to the transportation of children and at least every two years thereafter.

Rule .32(4) - Center Cap. 19+/ Separate ages: (4) For Centers with a licensed capacity of 19 or more, children under three (3) years of age shall be housed in separate physical areas from older children and cannot be mixed with older children except at the following times and circumstances:

Rule .26(4) - Fence-playground (Recite-Not Met): Fence or Approved Barriers. Playgrounds shall be protected from traffic or other hazards by a four (4) foot or higher secure fence or other barrier approved by this Department. Fencing material shall not present a hazard to children and shall be maintained so as to prevent children from leaving the playground area by any means other than through an approved access route. Fence gates shall be kept closed except when persons are entering or exiting the area.

Rule .25(13) - Indoor Storage-Hazards: (13) Indoor Storage Areas. Potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies shall be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children. Examples of items to be stored include non-food related products under pressure in aerosol dispensing cans, flammable and corrosive materials, cleaning supplies, poisons, insecticides, office supplies and industrial-sized or commercial buckets with a capacity of three gallons or more or any other similar device with rigid sides which would not tip over if a toddler fell into the container head first.

Rule .14(2)(d) - Director First Aid/CPR Trained: (c) During any field trip or transportation of children, there must always be a staff member present who has current evidence of the successful completion of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and pediatric first aid.

Rule .03(1) - Activities/teaching methods (Recite-Not Met): (1) The center shall provide a daily planned program of varied and developmentally appropriate activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and literacy development of each child. Center staff shall use a variety of teaching methods to accommodate the needs of the children’s different learning styles.

Rule .36(7)(b) - Emergency Medical Information: (b) Emergency Medical Information. An emergency medical information record must be maintained in the vehicle for each child being transported. The emergency medical information record for each child shall include a listing of the child's full name, date of birth, allergies, special medical needs and conditions, current prescribed medications that the child is required to take on a daily basis for a chronic condition, the name and telephone number of the child's doctor, the local medical facility that the Center uses in the area where the Center is located and the telephone numbers where the Parents can be reached.

Rule .36(6) - Parental Authorization: (6) Parental Authorization. For routine transportation provided by the Center or on behalf of the Center, the child's Parent(s) must provide written authorization for the transportation and specify routine pick-up location, routine pick-up time, routine delivery location, routine delivery time and the name of any person authorized to receive the child.

Rule .36(4)(b) - Vehicle Interior (Recite-Not Met): (b) Interior. Interior of a transportation vehicle must be clean, in safe repair and free of hazardous items, objects and/or other non-essential items which could impede the children's access or egress from the vehicle or cause injury if the items were thrown about the vehicle as a result of a collision.

Rule .36(4)(a) - Vehicle Safety Check: (4)(a) Vehicle Safety. Vehicles used for transporting children shall be maintained as follows: Annual Safety Check. Each vehicle shall have a satisfactory annual safety check, completed by a trained individual, of at least: tires, headlights, horn, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, brakes, suspension, exhaust system, steering, windows, windshields and windshield wipers. A copy of a standard inspection report used by the Department or an equivalent shall be kept in the Center or on the vehicle and should include evidence of any repairs and/or replacements that were identified as needed on the inspection report.

Rule .36(3)(a-b) - Transportation Training: (3) Transportation Training. Child Care Learning Centers that provide any type of transportation shall obtain two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training, biannually, for the Director and for each Staff person responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children. The training shall include, but is not limited to, a review of the transportation rules, a review of approved transportation forms and procedures, and instruction on the usage and completion of the forms and procedures. This training may be counted as part of the annual training requirements for Staff. (a) The Director and each Staff person who is responsible for or who participates in the transportation of children shall complete two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training on or before June 30, 2015 and at least every two years thereafter. (b) Effective July 1, 2015, the Director and each Staff person who will be responsible for or participate in the transportation of children shall have completed two (2) clock hours of state-approved or state-accepted transportation training prior to assuming any duties related to the transportation of children and at least every two years thereafter.

Rule .33(3) - Staff Training-Health and Safety Orientation

Rule .32(7) - Supervision-Watchful Oversight: (7) Supervision. Children shall be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm’s length away from children thirty-six (36) months of age and younger.

Rule .31(13) - Applicable Laws and Regulations: (13) Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations. Center Staff shall not commit any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center. Center staff shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Rule .26(4) - Fence-playground: Fence or Approved Barriers. Playgrounds shall be protected from traffic or other hazards by a four (4) foot or higher secure fence or other barrier approved by this Department. Fencing material shall not present a hazard to children and shall be maintained so as to prevent children from leaving the playground area by any means other than through an approved access route. Fence gates shall be kept closed except when persons are entering or exiting the area.

Rule .03(1) - Activities/teaching methods: (1) The center shall provide a daily planned program of varied and developmentally appropriate activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and literacy development of each child. Center staff shall use a variety of teaching methods to accommodate the needs of the children’s different learning styles.

Rule .33(4) - Staff training-food preparation and nutrition training (Recite-Not Met): (4) Food Preparation and Nutrition Training. Within the first year of employment, the Director and the person primarily responsible for food preparation shall receive four (4) clock hours of training in food nutrition planning, preparation, serving, proper dish washing and food storage.

Rule .27 - Posted Notices (Recite-Not Met): Each Center shall post in a designated area for public viewing near the front entrance the following: the Center's current License or Permit; a copy of these rules; a copy of the current communicable disease chart; a statement allowing Parent(s) access to all child care areas upon notifying any staff member of his or her presence; names of persons responsible for the administration of the Center in the administrator's absence; the dated current week's menu for meals and snacks; emergency plans for severe weather, fire, and other emergency situations; a statement requiring visitors to check in with Staff when entering the Center; no smoking signs; and a notice provided by the Department which advises Parents of their right to review a copy of the Center's most recent licensure evaluation report upon request to the Center Director. The Center shall provide any Parent with a copy of this evaluation report upon request.

Rule .26(9) - Playground-Safe/Clean: (9) Safety and Upkeep of Playground. Playgrounds shall be kept clean, free from litter and free of hazards, such as but not limited to rocks, exposed tree roots and exposed sharp edges of concrete.

Rule .26(6) - Equipment-outdoor (Recite-Not Met): (6) Equipment. Playground equipment shall provide an opportunity for the children to engage in a variety of experiences and shall be age-appropriate. For example, toddlers shall not be permitted to swing in swings designed for School-age Children. The outdoor equipment shall be free of lead-based paint, sharp corners and shall be regularly maintained in such a way as to be free of rust and splinters that could pose significant safety hazard to the children. All equipment shall be arranged so as not to obstruct supervision of children.

Rule .25(13) - Indoor Storage-Hazards: (13) Indoor Storage Areas. Potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies shall be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children. Examples of items to be stored include non-food related products under pressure in aerosol dispensing cans, flammable and corrosive materials, cleaning supplies, poisons, insecticides, office supplies and industrial-sized or commercial buckets with a capacity of three gallons or more or any other similar device with rigid sides which would not tip over if a toddler fell into the container head first.

Rule .12(4) - Equipment/Furniture-Secured: (4) Equipment and furniture shall be secured if it is of a weight or mass that could cause injury from tipping, falling, or being pulled or pushed over. Potentially unstable equipment and furniture that might injure a child if not secured include, but are not limited to, televisions, chests of drawers, bookcases, shelving, cabinets and fish tanks. Examples of items not required to be secured include, but are not limited to, child-sized tables and chairs, rocking chairs, and cribs.

Rule .36(4)(b) - Vehicle Interior: (b) Interior. Interior of a transportation vehicle must be clean, in safe repair and free of hazardous items, objects and/or other non-essential items which could impede the children's access or egress from the vehicle or cause injury if the items were thrown about the vehicle as a result of a collision.

Rule .33(4) - Staff training-food preparation and nutrition training: (4) Food Preparation and Nutrition Training. Within the first year of employment, the Director and the person primarily responsible for food preparation shall receive four (4) clock hours of training in food nutrition planning, preparation, serving, proper dish washing and food storage.

Rule .27 - Posted Notices: Each Center shall post in a designated area for public viewing near the front entrance the following: the Center's current License or Permit; a copy of these rules; a copy of the current communicable disease chart; a statement allowing Parent(s) access to all child care areas upon notifying any staff member of his or her presence; names of persons responsible for the administration of the Center in the administrator's absence; the dated current week's menu for meals and snacks; emergency plans for severe weather, fire, and other emergency situations; a statement requiring visitors to check in with Staff when entering the Center; no smoking signs; and a notice provided by the Department which advises Parents of their right to review a copy of the Center's most recent licensure evaluation report upon request to the Center Director. The Center shall provide any Parent with a copy of this evaluation report upon request.

Rule .20(4) - Medication-Storage: (4) Storage. Medications shall be kept in a storage cabinet or container which is locked or otherwise not accessible to the children and shall be stored separate from cleaning chemicals, supplies or poisons. Medications requiring refrigeration shall be placed in a leak-proof container in a refrigerator that is not accessible to the children.

Rule .03(1) - Activities/teaching methods: (1) The center shall provide a daily planned program of varied and developmentally appropriate activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and literacy development of each child. Center staff shall use a variety of teaching methods to accommodate the needs of the children’s different learning styles.

Rule .36(7)(d)2. - Responsible Person checked vehicle - 2nd Check: 2. The second designated Staff person shall conduct a check of the vehicle immediately upon the completion of the first check of the vehicle. The responsible person shall physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle's interior; and sign the passenger transportation checklist(s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle. There shall be continuous watchful oversight of the vehicle between the first check and second check.

Rule .36(7)(d)1. - Responsible Person checked vehicle - 1st Check (Recite-Not Met): 1. The first check shall be conducted immediately upon unloading the last child at any location including, but not limited to, a field trip destination, arrival at the Center, and the last stop during transportation to home or school. The responsible person on the vehicle shall: physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle’s interior; sign the passenger transportation checklist (s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle; and give the passenger transportation checklist(s) to the second designated Staff person.

Rule .36(7)(c)3. - Departure/arrival dates/times (Recite-Not Met): 3. The driver or other designated Staff person shall also document in writing the dates and the departure/arrival times for all types of transportation on the passenger transportation checklist as follows: School Transportation - each time the vehicle departs from the Center, is loaded or unloaded at each school and when the vehicle returns to the Center; Home Transportation - each time the vehicle departs from the Center, arrives at the location where any child is picked up or dropped off and when the vehicle returns to the Center; and Field Trip Transportation- each time the vehicle leaves the Center, arrives at a field trip destination, leaves a field trip destination, and returns to the Center.

Rule .26(6) - Equipment-outdoor: (6) Equipment. Playground equipment shall provide an opportunity for the children to engage in a variety of experiences and shall be age-appropriate. For example, toddlers shall not be permitted to swing in swings designed for School-age Children. The outdoor equipment shall be free of lead-based paint, sharp corners and shall be regularly maintained in such a way as to be free of rust and splinters that could pose significant safety hazard to the children. All equipment shall be arranged so as not to obstruct supervision of children.

Rule .25(13) - Indoor Storage-Hazards: (13) Indoor Storage Areas. Potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies shall be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children. Examples of items to be stored include non-food related products under pressure in aerosol dispensing cans, flammable and corrosive materials, cleaning supplies, poisons, insecticides, office supplies and industrial-sized or commercial buckets with a capacity of three gallons or more or any other similar device with rigid sides which would not tip over if a toddler fell into the container head first.

Rule .21(3) - Fire/Tornado Drills (Recite-Not Met): (3) The Center shall conduct drills for fire, tornado and other emergency situations. The fire drills will be conducted monthly and tornado and other emergency situation drills will be conducted every six months. The Center shall maintain documentation of the dates and times of these drills for two years.

Rule .32(4) - Center Cap. 19+/ Separate ages: (4) For Centers with a licensed capacity of 19 or more, children under three (3) years of age shall be housed in separate physical areas from older children and cannot be mixed with older children except at the following times and circumstances:

Rule .30(2) - Safe sleep environment: (2) Sleeping and Resting Environment for Infants. A Center shall provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant’s back unless the Parent has provided a physician’s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant’s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer’s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant’s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. However, swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician’s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.

Rule .21(3) - Fire/Tornado Drills (Recite-Not Met): (3) The Center shall conduct drills for fire, tornado and other emergency situations. The fire drills will be conducted monthly and tornado and other emergency situation drills will be conducted every six months. The Center shall maintain documentation of the dates and times of these drills for two years.

Rule .18(8) - Food storage-Containers (Recite-Not Met): (8) Containers of food shall be stored above the floor on clean surfaces protected from splash and other contamination. Containers for food storage other than the original container or package in which the food was obtained shall be impervious and non-absorbent, have tight-fitting lids or covers and labeled as to contents.

Rule .17(8) - Handwashing-Staff (Recite-Not Met): (8) Handwashing, Staff. Personnel shall wash their hands with liquid soap and warm running water: immediately upon arrival for the day, when moving from one child care group to another, and upon re-entering the child care area after outside play; before and after diapering each child, dispensing medication, applying topical medications, ointments, creams or lotions, handling and preparing food, eating, drinking, preparing bottles, feeding each child, and assisting children with eating and drinking; after toileting or assisting children with toileting, using tobacco products, handling garbage and organic waste, touching animals or pets, and handling bodily fluids, such as, but not limited to, mucus, saliva, vomit or blood; and after contamination by any other means.

Rule .17(7) - Handwashing-Children (Recite-Not Met): (7) Handwashing, Children. Children's hands shall be washed with soap and warm running water: immediately upon arrival for care; when moving from one child care group to another, and upon re-entering the child care area after outside play; before and after eating meals and snacks, handling or touching food, or playing in water; after toileting and diapering, playing in sand, touching animals or pets, and contact with bodily fluids such as, but not limited to, mucus, saliva, vomit or blood; and after contamination by any other means.

Rule .08(1) - Childrens Enrollment Application (Recite-Not Met): (1) A Center must maintain a file for each child while such child is in care at the Center and for a period of one (1) year after such child is no longer in care at the Center. In order for the file to be complete, the file shall contain the following: identifying information about the child to include: name, date of birth, sex, address, living arrangement if not with both Parents, name of school, if applicable; identifying information about the Parent(s) to include: names of both Parents, if applicable, home and work addresses, and home and work telephone numbers; name(s) and addresses of the person(s) to whom the child may be released. Such information shall contain the authorized person’s address, telephone numbers, relationship to child and to Parent(s), and other identifying information; identifying information about the person(s) to contact in emergencies when the Parent cannot be reached to include name(s) and telephone number(s); identifying information about the child's primary source of health care to include physician's or clinic's name and telephone number; and a statement regarding known allergies or other physical problems, mental health disorders, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities which would limit the child's participation in the Center's program and activities.