Section 404.44  Buildings

a)         Buildings shall be maintained in compliance with state and local ordinances for health, safety and sanitation.

b)         The institution shall receive inspection annually and clearance from:

1)         the Illinois Department of Public Health or local health department; and

2)         the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, or designated local fire departments.

c)         The institution shall establish and maintain a program for the upkeep, repair, and replacement of buildings.

d)         Housekeeping and repair programs shall be scheduled and shall be the responsibility of housekeeping and maintenance personnel.

e)         No business shall be conducted on the institution premises that would intrude upon, deter, or interfere with the child care activities or services.

f)         An institution or organization proposing to construct a new child care institution, to relocate, or to undertake major remodeling of buildings shall:

1)         notify the Department of such plans;

2)         submit building plans for approval to state and local offices if required by law or regulation; and

3)         not allow children to occupy any buildings under construction or undergoing major remodeling.

g)         Architectural plans for new, remodeled or replaced buildings shall be suited to the child care function of the institution and its program needs.

h)         The institution shall not permit occupancy of any new, remodeled, or relocated building until state or local fire and health authorities have inspected and approved such buildings.

i)          Living quarters for children shall:

1)         be well ventilated, properly lighted, and well heated;

2)         be of adequate size and privacy to conform to good standards of health; and

3)         meet the children's basic and individual needs.

j)          Sleeping rooms for children shall:

1)         be separate for boys and girls over 6 years of age;

2)         provide at least 40 square feet of floor space per child, including rooms for single occupancy;

3)         provide each child with his own bed and readily accessible storage space where he may keep his personal belongings and possessions; and

4)         be equipped with furnishings including but not limited to chairs, tables, desks, mirrors, and bed linen, in good repair.

k)         Lavatory, bath, and toilet facilities for children shall:

1)         consist of one toilet and one lavatory for every 6 children;

2)         be equipped with hot and cold running water and shall be located near the sleeping quarters;

3)         be separate for boys and girls;

4)         consist of at least one tub or shower for every 8 children; and

5)         be equipped with mirrors and areas for storage of toilet articles and for hanging towels and wash cloths, unless provided individually in sleeping areas.

l)          Other living unit areas shall include:

1)         living rooms large enough to accommodate the free and informal use by the children of the unit;

2)         availability of areas for special or quiet activities of individuals and groups; and

3)         storage space for supplies and equipment not in use.

m)        The administrator who lives on the premises shall be provided with living quarters separate from those used by the children.

n)         Staff members who live on the premises shall be provided with sleeping rooms and bath facilities separate from those used by the children.

o)         Dining facilities and equipment shall be provided for all children and staff residing on the premises.

p)         Kitchen facilities shall provide for efficient and sanitary preparation, storage and service of food and for the proper cleaning, sanitizing and storage of all equipment and utensils in accordance with Department of Public Health requirements.

q)         There shall be adjacent, readily accessible hand washing and toilet facilities for the use of kitchen staff and helpers with posting of public health warning to remind food handlers, dishwashers, and other kitchen helpers to make use of hand washing facilities after toileting, grooming, and smoking.

r)          Children should be instructed in the proper use of laundry equipment facilities before they are permitted to use them.  Appliances shall be equipped with safety devices.

s)         There shall be office facilities and equipment for efficient conduct of the institution's business affairs.

t)          Formal classrooms located on the premises shall be housed in areas so planned or arranged that one program or activity does not intrude or interfere with another.

u)         There shall be rooms on the premises where children can see family, visitors, and professional staff in privacy and without undue or unnecessary interruptions.

v)         Facilities including toilets, lavatories, drinking fountains and telephones shall be available to accommodate non-resident staff and visitors.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 9976, effective July 1, 2005)