Child Care Requirements

Washington Administrative Codes

WAC 110-300 Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs

The child care licensing regulations include several sections that address lead hazards including:

110-300-0148 – Gardening Spaces

• Soil must be free from lead, arsenic, and other contaminants

110-300-0235 – Safe Water Sources

• Requires water testing for lead and copper

110-300-0400 – Application Materials

• Requires lead and arsenic evaluation for sites located within the Tacoma Smelter Plume
• Drinking water test results for lead and copper

110-300-0410 – License and Program Location

• Must prevent exposure of children to lead hazards including lead-based paint, lead plumbing and solder, lead in drinking water, and other toxic hazards. Applicants whose program is within the Tacoma Smelter Plume must contact Department of Ecology.

110-300-0465 – Records

• Must have drinking water test results for lead and copper

WAC 110-301 Foundational Quality Standards for School-Aged Programs

The school-age licensing regulations include several sections that address lead hazards including:

110-301-0148 – Gardening Spaces

• Soil must be free from lead, arsenic, and other contaminants

110-301-0235 – Safe Water Sources

• Requires water testing for lead and copper

110-301-0400 – Application Materials

• Requires lead and arsenic evaluation for sites located within the Tacoma Smelter Plume
• Drinking water test results for lead and copper

110-301-0410 – License and Program Location

• Must prevent exposure of children to lead hazards including lead-based paint, lead plumbing and solder, lead in drinking water, and other toxic hazards. Applicants whose program is within the Tacoma Smelter Plume must contact Department of Ecology.

110-301-0465 – Records

• Must have drinking water test results for lead and copper

You must have a current health policy

We recommend including a Lead Addendum for child cares in buildings built before 1978, located along historically busy roadways or smelter sites, or who have other risk factors for lead.

Caring for Our Children National Performance Standards 

The following best practice standards relate to lead hazards in child care facilities:

Standard 5.2.9.13: Testing for and Remediating Lead Hazards

Standard 5.7.0.1: Maintenance of Exterior Surfaces

Standard 5.7.0.7: Structure Maintenance

Standard 9.4.1.13: Maintenance and Display of Inspection Reports

Standard 5.2.6.3: Testing for Lead and Copper Levels in Drinking Water

Standard 5.7.0.5: Cleaning Schedule for Exterior Areas

Standard 9.4.1.2: Maintenance of Records

Standard 4.5.0.2: Tableware and Feeding Utensils

Standard 4.2.0.11:; Ingestion of Substances that Do Not Provide Nutrition

Standard 5.1.1.2: Inspection of Buildings

Standard 5.2.9.15: Construction and Remodeling

Standard 5.3.1.1: Safety of Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings

Head Start requirements

• Blood Lead Testing for Young Children
• Head Start Program Performance Standard 1302.47 (10)
• Head Start Lead Resources and Information

ECEAP Performance Standards

ENV-4 Safe Facilities (1) Contractors must monitor the health and safety of their ECEAP providers’ indoor and outdoor facilities and maintain records of these inspections. Facilities must be: (c) Free from exposed lead-based paint in facilities built prior to 1978.