General Policies & Procedures — Nevada Addendum

Nevada State Addendum

Great Beginnings Academy — General Policies & Procedures

Partner Company: Leap Into Learning | Locations: Las Vegas & Henderson, NV

State Licensing Authority: Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health — Child Care Licensing (DPBH CCL)

Governing Regulations: Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 432A

How to Use This Addendum

This addendum supplements the GBA General Policies & Procedures Manual. It applies only to Leap Into Learning locations in Nevada. Where this addendum specifies a requirement that differs from or adds to the universal GBA policy, the Nevada-specific language governs for Nevada locations. Where this addendum is silent, the universal GBA policy applies.

1.1 Illness Exclusion — GBA Universal Policy Applies

The GBA General Policies & Procedures illness exclusion policy — including the 100.1°F fever threshold, 24-hour symptom-free requirement, and one-hour pickup window — applies at all Nevada locations. GBA’s 100.1°F threshold meets and exceeds Nevada’s official standard (axillary 100°F or oral 101°F per the Nevada Office of State Epidemiology).

1.2 Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) — Nevada Distinction

Nevada’s official exclusion guidelines (Nevada Office of State Epidemiology, NAC 441A) distinguish between two types of conjunctivitis:

  • Exclude — Purulent conjunctivitis (thick white or yellow discharge, eye pain, redness of eyelids): Exclude until examined by a healthcare provider and approved for readmission, or until 24 hours after treatment has started.
  • No exclusion required — Non-purulent conjunctivitis (clear, watery discharge only, no fever, no eye pain, no eyelid redness): Exclusion is NOT required under Nevada guidelines.

Directors at Nevada locations may use professional judgment in cases of mild, clear-discharge conjunctivitis without other symptoms. When in doubt, or if the discharge worsens or becomes yellow/green, the child should be excluded and referred to a healthcare provider.

1.3 Head Lice — Nits-Only Policy

Under Nevada’s official guidelines, the presence of nits (eggs) alone, without live lice, does not require exclusion. A child may only be excluded if live lice are present. The child may return after the first treatment is completed and no live lice are visible.

Nevada locations should not send a child home solely because nits are found if no live lice are observed. Directors should document the finding, notify the parent, and advise treatment at home.

1.4 Communicable Disease Reporting — Nevada Contacts

In addition to reporting to corporate as required by GBA policy, Nevada locations must notify the appropriate local health authority for any reportable communicable disease (per NAC 441A):

Health District

Counties Served

Phone

Southern Nevada Health District

Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson)

702-759-1300 (24 hrs)

Northern Nevada Public Health

Washoe County

775-328-2447 (24 hrs)

Division of Public and Behavioral Health

All other Nevada counties

775-400-0333 (24 hrs)

All Leap Into Learning locations (Russell, Annie Oakley, Decatur, Horizon) are located in Clark County and should contact the Southern Nevada Health District.

Section 2 — Safe Sleep (Infant Care)

2.1 Nevada Safe Sleep Requirements

Nevada child care licensing (NAC 432A) requires all child care facilities to follow safe sleep practices for infants. GBA’s universal safe sleep policy is consistent with Nevada requirements. The following standards apply at all Nevada locations:

  • All infants must be placed on their backs (supine position) for every sleep.
  • Sleep surfaces must be firm and flat. No soft bedding, bumper pads, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or positioners are permitted in cribs or sleep spaces.
  • Each infant must have their own individual sleep space (crib or bassinet). Infants may not share sleep spaces.
  • Infants who arrive at the center already asleep in car seats, strollers, or other devices must be moved to an approved sleep surface as soon as reasonably possible.
  • If a parent requests a non-supine sleep position for their infant (e.g., side or stomach) for medical reasons, a signed written order from the child’s licensed healthcare provider must be on file before any deviation from back-sleeping is permitted.

Section 3 — Licensing and Regulatory Compliance

3.1 State Licensing Authority

Leap Into Learning locations are licensed by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), Child Care Licensing unit. All state licensing files and most recent inspection reports are available for parent review at each center upon request.

  • DPBH Child Care Licensing — General Inquiries: 702-486-3822 (Clark County)
  • DPBH Website: dpbh.nv.gov

3.2 Parent Right to Review Licensing Records

In accordance with Nevada law, parents and guardians have the right to review the center’s most recent state inspection report and licensing file. Please ask the Center Director for access.

3.3 Policy Update Notice

Nevada locations will provide parents with at least 15 days’ written notice before any substantive policy change, consistent with NAC 432A requirements.

3.4 Fee Changes — Division Notification Requirement

Under NAC 432A.350(5), Nevada child care facilities are required to notify both parents and the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) of any significant changes in services — which includes changes to tuition rates and fee schedules. GBA’s standard 30 days’ written notice to families satisfies the parent notification requirement. However, Nevada locations must also notify the DPBH when fee structures change.

Before communicating any tuition or fee increase to families, Leap Into Learning locations should notify DPBH Child Care Licensing in writing. DPBH contact for Clark County locations: 702-486-3822. Reference: NAC 432A.350(5).

3.5  Staff-to-Child Ratios — Nevada Requirement

Nevada licensing (NAC 432A.5205) sets minimum caregiver-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes by age, applicable in each classroom between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at all Leap Into Learning locations:

  • Under 9 months: 1 staff to 4 children (max group 8)
  • 9 months–under 2 years: 1 staff to 6 children (max group 12)
  • 2 years–under 3 years: 1 staff to 9 children (max group 18)
  • 3 years–under 4 years: 1 staff to 12 children (max group 24)
  • 4 years–under 5 years: 1 staff to 13 children (max group 26)
  • 5 years and older: 1 staff to 18 children (max group 36)

Between 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., overnight ratios apply instead: 1 staff to 6 children under age 3 (max group 12), and 1 staff to 10 children age 3 and older (max group 20); overnight staff must remain awake during duty hours. When a classroom mixes age groups, the ratio and group size for the youngest child present governs. Confirm current Leap Into Learning staffing practice meets or exceeds these ratios at all times.

3.6  Immunization Requirements — Nevada Requirement

Under NRS 432A.230 and NAC 432A.500–.505, a child may not be admitted to a Nevada licensed child care facility unless the parent or guardian provides proof of immunization (or documentation of an approved schedule in progress) against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis, Rubella, Measles, Mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). A child may be conditionally admitted with up to 30 days to complete the required series.

A parent seeking a medical (NRS 432A.250) or religious (NRS 432A.240) exemption must submit a written statement on the state-issued Child Care Medical or Religious Immunization Exemption Form. Religious exemptions must be renewed annually. If a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak occurs at the facility, NRS 432A.270 permits the facility to require immunization or temporary exclusion of exempt children until cleared by the local health officer.

3.7  Transportation Requirements — Nevada Requirement

For Leap Into Learning locations that provide transportation, NAC 432A.290 requires:

  • Adequate supervision and insurance covering liability for injury, medical expense, and uninsured-motorist damages.
  • A driver with a valid, appropriate license and adequate insurance, who never leaves a child unattended in the vehicle and confirms a parent or written designee is present to receive the child at drop-off.
  • The applicable NAC 432A.5205 caregiver-to-child ratio maintained on board, except that transportation to/from school during the school term requires a minimum of 1 staff member per 15 children.
  • A transportation log kept for at least 4 months, documenting each child transported, departure/arrival times, the driver’s signature, all adults on board, and a signed staff verification that every child is accounted for upon arrival.

If a Leap Into Learning location does not provide transportation, this section does not apply.

3.8  Background Check Requirements — Nevada Requirement

Under NAC 432A.200, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) must investigate the background of every applicant, employee, resident 18+, and volunteer 18+ before or during their presence at the facility. Fingerprints must be submitted within 24 hours of hire and again every 5 years thereafter.

  • Fingerprint cards are processed through the FBI, the Nevada Criminal History Repository, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Screening (CANS) system.
  • Per current DPBH guidance, a new hire may not be left alone with children until the facility has received the background clearance memo.
  • DPBH must immediately notify the facility if a person has a conviction for an offense listed in NRS 432A.170(2) or a substantiated child abuse/neglect finding.

Documentation of completed and current background investigations must be kept on file at the facility for the duration of the person’s presence there.

Section 4 — Items for Future Review

The following items have been identified for future Nevada addendum development as additional source material becomes available:

  • Holiday schedule — Nevada observes additional state holidays (Nevada Day, etc.) not recognized in other states. A Nevada-specific holiday schedule should be added here once confirmed.

This addendum was last updated: July 2026