(a) The department shall prescribe and publish minimum standards for licensing and for approving all child-care facilities, as defined in this chapter. In establishing such standards the department shall seek the advice and assistance of persons representative of the various types of child-care facilities. The standards prescribed and published under this chapter shall include regulations pertaining to:

(1) The operation and conduct of the child-care facility and the responsibility it assumes for child care;

(2) The character, suitability and qualifications of the applicant and other persons directly responsible for the care and welfare of children served;

(3) The general financial ability and competence of the applicant to provide necessary care for children and to maintain prescribed standards;

(4) The number of individuals or staff required to insure adequate supervision and care of the children served;

(5) The appropriateness, safety, cleanliness and general adequacy of the premises, including maintenance of adequate fire prevention and health standards conforming to state laws and municipal codes to provide for the physical comfort, care, well-being and safety of children served;

(6) Provisions for food, clothing, educational opportunities, program equipment and individual supplies to assure the healthy physical and mental development of children served, consistent with the definitions contained in this chapter;

(7) Maintenance of records pertaining to the admission, progress, health and discharge of children, and provisions for confidentiality of such records;

(8) Filing of reports with the department; and

(9) Discipline of children.

(b) If, in a facility for child care, there are children diagnosed as mentally ill, mentally retarded or physically handicapped who are determined to be in need of special mental treatment or of nursing care, or both mental treatment and nursing care, the department shall seek the advice and recommendation of the Department of Mental Health or the State Board of Health, or of both, regarding the residential treatment and nursing care provided by the facility.

(c) The department, in applying standards prescribed and published, as herein provided, shall offer consultation through employed staff or other specified persons to assist applicants and licensees in meeting and maintaining minimum requirements for a license and to help them otherwise to achieve programs of excellence related to the care of children served.