Section 7.57.810. Specialized program activities.

	(a)  A child care facility may not provide a program of moderate-risk activities on a regular basis unless the facility has a specialized program activity specialization approved by the department. Moderate-risk activities include specialized program activities such as gymnastics, swimming, camping, wilderness walks, horseback riding, canoeing, skiing, climbing, fishing, skateboarding, rollerblading, scooter riding, and bike riding.  
	(b)  A child care facility must base a program activity on a plan that addresses each requirement in this section. A child care facility shall ensure that each employee involved in the activity reviews the plan and that a copy of the plan is taken on each activity away from the facility.  
	(c)  A child care facility shall ensure that the plan required under (b) of this section establishes emergency procedures and injury control procedures for any specialized program activity conducted, including  
		(1) carrying or posting of emergency telephone numbers, if telephones are available;  
		(2) identification of, respect for, and avoidance of potential weather hazards;  
		(3) identification and warning to children of other potential hazards, such as noxious plants, bears and other wild animals, cliffs, mine shafts, and polluted water; and  
		(4) development of contingency plans to deal with lost children, accidents, and other emergencies.  
	(d)  A child care facility must plan for supervision during a specialized program activity so that  
		(1) the child-to-caregiver ratios required in 7 AAC 57.505 are maintained, or are increased as appropriate to the activity as documented and recommended by  
			(A) a certifying or accrediting organization with national standards for the activity that are widely recognized by professionals, instructors, or other experts in the field; or  
			(B) an individual certified or accredited in the activity from an organization described in (A) of this paragraph;  
		(2) a caregiver who has at least the equivalent of one year of experience in the specialized program activity is designated to supervise the activity;  
		(3) caregivers who supervise a specialized program activity in which children participate have demonstrated competency in the activity; this demonstration may include certification from an organization with recognized expertise in the activity or documentation of training or experience in the activity; and  
		(4) if applicable, caregivers have received special training necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of children identified as having special needs under 7 AAC 57.940.  
	(e)  A child care facility shall take the following general health and safety precautions during an activity away from the facility:  
		(1) the facility shall take a first aid kit on field trips and outings as required by 7 AAC 10.1075(a)(2) or (3), as applicable; and  
		(2) at least one caregiver accompanying the children must be certified in first aid and CPR.  

Authorities

44.29.020;47.32.010;47.32.030

Notes

Reference

7 AAC 57.030
7 AAC 57.240
7 AAC 57.350

Authority

AS 44.29.020 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 ________________________

History

Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178