Page 416

389

ethnicity, family composition, and special emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs of eachchild; l. Provide opportunities for: • self-expression and imaginative play; • at least twenty (20) minutes of vigorous physical activity for every three (3) hours the provider is open betweenthe hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm; • each child to foster independence; • intellectual and social development; • language development; and m. Limit screen viewing time including television, computer, and hand-held devices: • Prohibit screen viewing time for children younger than two (2) years of age; and • Only allow up to one (1) hour in a twenty-four (24) hour period, for children over two (2) years ofage.

2. Structure Providers must provide structure designed to promote a child’s individual physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development.

a. Infants and Toddlers in Care When infants and/or toddlers are in care, a provider may not routinely leave a child awake in a crib, swing, or similar device for more than fifteen (15) minutes without direct adult contact.

The provider must: • Provide opportunities for a child to develop a caring and nurturing relationship with and attachment to the provider; • Be responsive to a child’s needs and relieve a child’s distress; • Provide stimulation and comfort; • Provide frequent verbal communication during feeding, changing and cuddle times; • Provide physical contact through holding, rocking, play, bathing, dressing, and carrying a child; • Allow infants and toddlers ample supervised opportunity during the day to explore and learn on their own outside of a play yard or other restraining device;and • Ensure infants are placed on their back to sleep, unless otherwise ordered by a physician.