It isn’t easy to trust other people with your kids.
When you drop off your child at daycare, you want the assurance that they’ll be kept safe until you pick them up. Unfortunately, not all daycares are reliable or have the proper daycare safety, and you have every right to be wary as a parent. Therefore, it’s vital to research daycare centers to ensure you’re leaving your child in the hands of capable childcare professionals.
From licensing to health and safety precautions. Here’s what you should look for in daycare safety.
Is the Daycare Center Certified?
Child care licensing regulations cover several aspects, including:
- Nutrition
- The overall safety of the childcare facility includes cleanliness and safety precautions like fire extinguishers, smoke and fire alarms, and emergency exits
- Training, health, and other requirements for adults working at the facility
- Immunizations and hygiene practices to curb the spread of disease
- The number of children one qualified adult ought to care for at a time
It’s worth noting that licensing does not always guarantee quality daycare safety. Licensing means that the childcare facility is monitored for compliance based on state requirements. That said, evaluating a daycare center is an excellent first step, as any safe and reputable center will have achieved the necessary licensing and certifications.
What Policies Are in Place Regarding Background Checks?
It’s mandated under federal law for teachers and administrative personnel in a childcare setting to undergo criminal background checks. As such, it’s important to inquire about this when evaluating daycares in your neighborhood.
Background checks verify that the people you’re entrusting your child to do not have a history of violence, criminal behavior, and/or child abuse.
How Does the Daycare Ensure Child Health and Safety?
Daycare providers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all children in their care. Every daycare safety plan should have a safety policy in place that covers:
- Hygiene and handwashing practices
- Regular cleaning and sanitizing
- The preparation and storage of food
- Childproofing all areas accessible to children
Daycare settings should also conduct daily health and safety screening, including checking for fevers, bruises, cuts, and/or broken bones. In addition, suspected neglect or abuse should be reported immediately to local authorities, including the Child Protective Services Department.
Is the Daycare Adequately Staffed?
There’s a limit to the number of children one adult can adequately care for. Therefore, ensuring enough childcare professionals at the daycare center is important. Find out if there is at least one adult for every three to five children to reassure yourself that there will be proper daycare safety.
On that note, younger kids require more care. So, consider the ages of the children enrolled at the center. Great daycares separate children by age and have infants’ nurseries, ensuring that your child receives the attention they need.
Also, keep a look out for:
- Faulty or defective playground equipment
- Unsanitary practices such as poor hygiene
- Lack of proper supervision due to understaffing
- Safety hazards such as uncovered electrical circuits and toxic substances kept in reach of children
- What other parents are saying about a facility
Keeping Children Safe At Home and Away
You take great care to keep your child safe at home – your daycare should do the same. Baseline safety protections are a tool to help you make an informed decision when choosing a daycare. However, you can never be too cautious when it comes to your child’s health and safety.
Enrolling your kid in daycare is one of the best things you can do for them. Contact the Learning Center to discover how our educational programs can set your child on the path to success.