Section 407.100  General Requirements for Personnel

a)         Staff shall be able to demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child's physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development.  Factors contributing to the attainment of this standard include:

1)         Emotional maturity when working with children;

2)         Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program;

3)         Respect for children and adults;

4)         Flexibility, understanding and patience;

5)         Physical and mental health that do not interfere with child care responsibilities;

6)         Good personal hygiene;

7)         Frequent interaction with children;

8)         Listening skills, availability and responsiveness to children;

9)         Sensitivity to children's socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and individual needs and capabilities;

10)         Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques; and

11)         Ability to provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation and other activities.

b)         Child care staff, in addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (a), shall generally demonstrate skill and competence necessary to assume direct responsibility for child care including:

1)         Skills to help children meet their developmental and emotional needs; and

2)         Skills in planning, directing, and conducting programs that meet the children's basic needs.

c)         Child care staff shall be willing to participate in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served.

1)         The director and each child care staff member shall participate in 15 clock hours of in-service training per year.  For the first year of employment, topics that must be included in the training are staff requirements to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect, how to make a child abuse or neglect report, rules governing the operation of the facility, and the legal protection afforded to persons who report violations of licensing standards.  Subsequent in-service training may include, but shall not be limited to, child development, symptoms of common childhood illnesses, hygiene, guidance and discipline, and communication with parents.

2)         A record of in-service training shall be maintained at the site.

3)         The required in-service training hours may consist of on-site training; documented attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences and early childhood classes; and documented self-study programs that have been approved by the day care center director.  Staff meetings may be counted only if a planned in-service program is presented.

4)         Staff serving children who require special program services shall receive in-service training and/or consultation on issues related to those specific needs.

5)         By September 1, 2012, all child care staff employed by the day care center, assistants and the director shall become members of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry, with all educational and training credentials entered into the registry verified in accordance with procedures and requirements adopted by the Department of Human Services (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 50.Subpart G).  Newly hired staff serving children shall become members of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry within 30 days after hire.

6)         The director and each child care staff member must complete the online Mandated Reporter Training that is available on the Department's website.  Current staff must complete this training by October 15, 2014.  Newly hired staff must complete this training within 30 days after hire. 

7)         If the facility is licensed to care for newborns and infants, all newly hired day care center staff shall take and complete the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) trainings within 30 days after hire.

8)         Every 3 years, all child care staff in a facility licensed to care for newborns and infants, including the day care center director, shall receive training on the nature of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), SIDS and the safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

d)         Newly employed staff shall submit a report of a physical examination completed no more than 6 months prior to employment that provides evidence that they are free of communicable disease, including active tuberculosis, and physical or mental conditions that could affect their ability to perform assigned duties.  This examination shall include a test for tuberculosis by the Mantoux method.

e)         Cooks, kitchen helpers and others assisting in the preparation, serving and handling of food and cooking/serving utensils shall make their positions known to the examining physician, and shall comply with the current rules and regulations of the Illinois Department of Public Health pertaining to Food Service Sanitation (77 Ill. Adm. Code 750).

f)         Staff shall have physical re-examinations every 2 years and whenever communicable disease or illness is suspected.

g)         A staff member experiencing fever, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea shall not be responsible for food handling or the care of children.

h)         The center shall have on duty at all times at least one staff member who has successfully completed training and is currently certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver, and for centers serving infants, first aid for choking infants in accordance with the approved method specified in the Department of Public Health's rules 77 Ill. Adm. Code 520 (The Treatment of Choking Victims).  CPR certification must be specific for all age groups served, i.e., infant (birth to 12 months), child (one to 8 years) and adult (8 years and older).

i)          Any center that serves food shall have posted in a conspicuous location visible to employees the Choke Saving Methods Poster available from the Illinois Department of Public Health at http://www.state.il.us/about/choking.htm.

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 17293, effective August 1, 2014)