|
A day care home, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, MDHSS, is a home for which 5-10 unrelated children are cared. In Jefferson City’s zoning regulations a day care home is defined for 7-10 unrelated children; however, the Environmental Health Services Division is contracted by MDHSS and thus these guidelines are for 5 - 10 unrelated children. The following is a list of food service guidelines for these day care homes:
Child Care Home Application
1. The day care home must meet Jefferson City zoning regulations. Contact Planning and Zoning at 573-634-6410.
2. The home and premises are to be kept clean and free of insects, spiders, vermin, refuse and litter. Trash, litter, and refuse are to be removed at least once per week.
3. Doors to the outside must be tight fitting to prevent insects and vermin entry. Opened windows and doors must be screened.
4. The kitchen must have a stove or other cooking equipment for the number of children to be fed. It also must have a two compartment sink with cold and hot running water and a refrigerator.
5. Food storage areas must be defined. No food or food related supplies may be stored in bathrooms or diapering areas.
6. No home canned foods may be served to the children.
7. All refrigeration units must have a thermometer to allow the monitoring of air temperature in the refrigerator. All refrigerated foods must be kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
8. A food thermometer that reads 0 - 220 degrees Fahrenheit is required in order to monitor the cooking temperatures of meats and other foods.
9. Test kits appropriate for testing the strength of sanitizers are required. One sanitizing solution equals 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water (100 - 200 ppm).
10. Pets may not be in the kitchen during food preparation or service. A safe and secure area needs to be determined for pets during these times.
11. No reptiles are allowed in the home, according to the MDHSS guidelines.
12. Parrots must be tested for Psittacosis, according to the MDHSS guidelines.
13. Chemicals which include medicines and cleaning agents must be stored so that children can not access them and they must be stored in a location where food and food contact surfaces can not be contaminated. All chemicals and cleaning agents must be clearly labeled.
14. Any plant that is poisonous to children must be removed from areas they access.
15. The diapering area is to be located close to a hand sink so that clean up and hand washing can be done immediately after diaper changing. The kitchen sink may not be used. A covered trash can needs to be in this area as well.
16. Potty chairs and diapering surfaces must be cleaned after each use.
17. Hot water at hand sinks accessed by the children must be 100 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit will burn skin.
18. Soiled diapers may not be stored in the kitchen, and they must be stored in a container with a tight fitting lid. Soiled linens are to be stored in a container with a lid, as well.
19. Infant- and toddler-toys are to be washed, rinsed and dried daily.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Health Services Division at (573) 634-6410.
|
