How Will I Know The Daycare I Choose Is Safe?

One of the biggest concerns that parents have when choosing a daycare facility is safety. While you cannot guarantee that accidents will not happen, you can be better prepared to evaluate a daycare’s safety.

When you visit a daycare center, look for the overall safety of the entire facility. Does it look like a safe place for children to be? Are the objects in the facility, such as tables, chairs, cribs, toys, etc. all in good condition, without any broken pieces? Are all of the objects in the facility clean? Does everything appear to be sanitary? Can you spot any unsafe items, such as knives, cleaning chemicals, medications, or heavy objects that are placed at a height? Can you see smoke and fire detectors? Are exits properly labeled? Is there a fire escape plan posted in the building?

Next, you should interview the daycare staff to find out some specific safety information. You should ask if there are any specific health-related requirements to be admitted into the childcare facility; every licensed daycare facility is required to keep an immunization record and physician’s exam report in the childcare facility’s files. Ask how the facility handles medications when children need them? Where are medications kept? Next, find out what the facility’s emergency plans are. Ask what they will do to prepare for emergencies. Ask if emergency numbers are posted near the telephones. Ask what their plans for fires and tornados are, and if they conduct fire or tornado drills.

You should also find out what the daycare facility’s procedure is for pickup. Will they be checking identification when someone comes to pick up your child? If there is someone that is restricted from being near your child, for example, how will they enforce this?

If food is served at the daycare, you need to be sure that it is being handled in a safe manner. You should ask to see the food preparation area, if possible, and ask about food cleanliness and food borne illness procedures.

Finally, you can ask for references from other parents. Other parents can often provide you with firsthand knowledge of safety issues at your potential daycare.

Posted in Child Care Issues