Virginia Law

A. Cribs, cots, rest mats or beds shall be provided for children during the designated rest period and not be occupied by more than one child at a time.

B. Cribs, cots, rest mats, and beds shall be identified for use by a specific child.

C. Double decker cribs, cots, or beds, or other sleeping equipment when stacked shall not be permitted.

D. Occupied cribs, cots, rest mats, and beds shall be at least 2-1/2 feet from any heat producing appliance.

E. There shall be at least 12 inches of space between occupied cots, beds, and rest mats.

Exception: Twelve inches of space are not required where cots, beds, or rest mats are located adjacent to a wall or a divider as long as one side is open at all times to allow for passage.

F. If rest mats are used, they shall have cushioning and be sanitized on all sides weekly or before use by another child.

G. Cribs shall be used for children under 12 months of age and for children over 12 months of age who are not developmentally ready to sleep on a cot or mat.

H. Cribs shall meet the following requirements:

1. They shall meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards at the time they were manufactured;

2. They shall not have been recalled;

3. There shall be no more than six centimeters or 2-3/8 inches of space between slats;

4. There shall be no more than one inch between the mattress and the crib; and

5. End panel cut-outs in cribs shall be of a size not to cause head entrapment.

I. Cribs shall be placed where objects outside the crib such as cords from blinds or curtains are not within reach of infants or toddlers.

J. There shall be at least:

1. Twelve inches of space between the sides and ends of occupied cribs except where they touch the wall; and

2. Thirty inches of space between service sides of occupied cribs and other furniture where that space is the walkway for staff to gain access to any occupied crib.

K. Crib sides shall be up and the fastenings secured when a child is in the crib, except when a staff member is giving the child immediate attention.

L. Pillows and filled comforters shall not be used by children under two years of age.

M. Use of crib bumper pads shall be prohibited.

N. Toys or objects hung over an infant in a crib and crib gyms that are strung across the crib may not be used for infants over five months of age or infants who are able to push up on their hands and knees.