After-Hours Care

Most licensed child care providers operate their child care program during the “normal” work day, somewhere between 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Because of family commitment or personal choice, few providers offer child care beyond these hours. However, there are families who need child care later into the evening or early morning. Providing child care for “non-standard” hours presents many opportunities, as well as some challenges.

The rule only addresses child care that is provided during standard daytime hours. It does not set standards for care provided in the late evenings or overnight (after-hours care). For the purpose of this article, care is considered to be standard daytime hours when a parent or caregiver drops a child off in the morning for the day, regardless of the time. After-hours care is defined as care when the child goes to sleep for the night and either is picked up sometime before the child’s usual morning wake-up time or wakes up at the provider’s home. The following are guidelines to consider when providing after-hours care:

• Children should be supervised by the licensed provider at all times. The provider should sleep on the same level as children who are sleeping and be able to immediately intervene if needed by a child. Infant monitors may be used when children under school-age are sleeping in an area other than where the provider is located.
• Each child should have their own bed, cot or crib and appropriate bedding. When children are sleeping overnight, they should not sleep on the floor. Bedding should be washed at least weekly, or more often if it is wet or soiled.
• Each child should have their own personal washcloth, towel, toothbrush, pajamas, and bedding.
• Children over the age of 24 months should be offered privacy for changing, sleeping, toileting, and bathing. Children should not share the bathroom or bathtub (meaning no more than one child is using it at a time). The licensed provider should be the only person assisting day care children with personal care.
• Night lights or dim lighting should be used when children are sleeping overnight. It is helpful if children sleep on the same level as the bathroom.
• Children should have an evening meal, either at their home or the provider’s home. A bedtime or evening snack may be offered.
• Children have various emotional needs at bedtime and during the night. Providers should consult with parents/caregivers regarding each child’s bedtime routine and any special concerns.
• Providers should consider the needs of their own family and be aware of the interaction between family members and children in care. The provider must insure that no television, videotape, music or other materials which are inappropriate for children be allowed while children are present. Persons who are 13 years of age who either live in the home or have contact with children on a regular basis are required to complete background checks.
• Providers are encouraged to develop a special contract, which addresses the above issues.

These are only guidelines and meant to protect children in care, as well as the licensed provider. If the Minnesota Department of Human Services develops guidelines for after-hours care, those guidelines will supersede those in this article. In any case, these guidelines are meant to help everyone get a good night’s sleep.

page last updated - 10/02/2003

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