15A NCAC 18A .2822 toys, equipment and FURNITURE

(a) Toys, equipment, and furniture provided by a child care center shall be kept clean and in good repair. In rooms designated for children who are not toilet trained, toys and other mouth-contact surfaces that are used by children shall be cleaned and then sanitized after each use and when visibly dirty. Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized as follows:

(1) the items shall be scrubbed in warm, soapy water, using a brush to reach into any crevices;

(2) the items shall be rinsed in clean water;

(3) the items shall be submerged in a sanitizing solution for at least two minutes or in accordance with the instructions on the label of the sanitizing solution; and

(4) the items shall be air dried.

(b) Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces that are not designed to be submerged in liquid shall be washed and rinsed in place, sprayed with a sanitizing solution, and allowed to air dry. Hard plastic toys may be washed and rinsed in a dishwasher and cloth toys may be laundered and mechanically dried without requiring sanitizing.

(d) Water play centers shall be filled with potable water immediately before children begin a water play session. Water shall be emptied after each play session and at a minimum each morning and afternoon, or more often if no longer clean. The water play centers, including toys, shall be cleaned and sanitized at least daily or more often if no longer clean. Water play is prohibited during the outbreak and investigation of a communicable disease or condition at the child care center. Wading pools are not considered water play centers and are regulated under the rules in Section .2500 of this Subchapter.

History Note: Authority G.S. 110-91;

Eff. July 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. February 1, 1995; July 23, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. April 15, 1998;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2006; January 1, 2006; April 1, 1999;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2023.