§407.APPENDIX A. Equipment for Infants and Toddlers

MINIMUM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:

INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAMS

(For every group of 12 infants and 15 toddlers)

 

This list of minimum equipment and supplies and their arrangement is not intended to define nor limit any program's philosophical approach. A minimum quantity and variety of materials is required to stimulate the development of each group of infants and toddlers.  This list takes into account the following characteristics of infants and toddlers:

 

short attention span;

physical needs for active and quiet play over a short time period;

need to learn through concrete activities; and

inability to share.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all items on this list shall be available to the children at all times when they are active and awake.

 

FURNISHINGS
INFANTS		TODDLERS
1)	Seating appropriate for the children's developmental abilities; safe, sturdy, with backs (and sides/arms as appropriate)	1)	Same
2)	One crib with mattress, sheet, and blanket per infant	2)	Stackable cots with sheet and blanket may be used for napping
3)	Adult-sized chairs with backs for staff, including at least one rocking chair; No folding chairs are permitted	3)	Same
4)	Low, open shelves and bookcases (one foot of shelving per child)	4)	Same
5)	Space and equipment for maintaining children's records	5)	Same
6)	Individual space for outer clothing	6)	Same
7)	Infant seats	7)	Not required
8)	Bathing tub	8)	Same
9)	Diaper-changing table with a non-porous, non-absorbent surface, and an accessible hand-washing sink	9)	Same
10)	Separate tightly covered, washable receptacles and disposable plastic liners for disposable diapers, cloth diapers and soiled clothes/linen	10)	Same
11)	Area rug or carpeting	11)	Same
12)	Portable gates as needed (must be tested and certified by Juvenile Products Manufacturers' Association)	12)	Same
13)	Refrigerator	13)	Not required
14)	Container for isolating, cleaning and disinfecting toys that have been in children's mouths	14)	Same
15)	Safety mirrors placed where children can observe themselves	15)	Same
LARGE MUSCLE – INDOORS
1)	Safe (soft, no hard edges), large materials for stacking, such as blocks-at least 20	1)	Safe, durable large building pieces or blocks, 20 per group of ten or fewer children, plus three per child for each additional child above the groups of ten children
2)	One piece of durable, large-muscle equipment for every 3 infants, such as rocking toys, activity gyms, tunnels	2)	One piece of durable large-muscle equipment for every 3 children, such as two-step slide, rocking boat, indoor gym, swing, tunnel, climber
3)	Variety of large balls	3)	Same
4)	Water-play equipment	4)	Same
5)	Pull toys	5)	Same
ART AND MUSIC
INFANTS		TODDLERS
1)	Audio equipment such as phonograph, cassette or compact disk player with at least six LP records, cassettes, or compact disks	2)	Same, plus at least one musical instrument/toy per child
2)	Not required	2)	Sufficient art materials such as crayons, large paper and Play Dough; for older, toddlers, one easel for every ten children
FINE MOTOR
INFANTS		TODDLERS
1)	Two toys per child that are responsive to children's actions for sensory and manipulative activities, such as bells, busy boards, small balls, snap-together beads, nesting bowls, shape sorters, squeeze toys that squeak, mobiles, plastic clutch toys, shape toys, teething toys, rattles	2)	Small blocks, including blocks that grip or lock together and other blocks which can be used for building; at least 100 pieces per group of ten or fewer children, plus ten blocks per child for each child over the ten children
2)	None	2)	One manipulative toy per child, such as puzzles, pegs and pegboards, bead and string sets, nesting blocks, shape sorters
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
INFANTS		TODDLERS
1)	Two durable books (cardboard, vinyl, cloth) per child, with rounded edges and bright pictures of familiar objects	1)	Same
2)	Pictures	2)	Same
3)	Other visual/manipulative materials such as flannel boards, magnetic boards, etc.	3)	Same
SOCIAL/EXPRESSIVE
INFANTS		TODDLERS
1)	Not required	1)	At least two sets of equipment plus accessories for dramatic/pretend play for each group of five or fewer children; more than one of the same set may be included in the number provided; for example, two kitchen sets with accessories could be provided; each set should have adequate pieces for use by at least two children at once
		2)	Sets of equipment may include, but are not limited to, the following:
				Doll beds with dolls
				Kitchen set (stove and/or sink and/or refrigerator and/or cupboard with pots, pans, dishes, etc.)
				At least five transportation toys of any size with pretend road, buildings, etc.
				Puppet stage with puppets
				Sand or water table (dish pans are acceptable) with accessories such as spoons and buckets
				Dress-up clothes hung on safe hooks or in wardrobe, plus mirror

 

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 1728, effective January 1, 1998)