Indoor & Outdoor Child Care Center Safety Checklist

Providing a safe environment for kids is one of the most challenging jobs. Children are scientists in creating danger out of nowhere. We have conducted deep research and have come up with ways you can protect children both inside homes and schools and outside.

Here’s how:

Checklist for Indoor Child Care Safety

1. Train yourself with CPR and first aid training. Prepare yourself for all kinds of emergencies.
2. Keep an eye on children even while doing any household or personal work.
3. Teach children what goes inside the mouth and what doesn’t. You can’t always be around to check on them.
4. Teach them how to use objects that can hurt. This step includes scissors and their toys. Always keep things that could act as weapons out of their reach.
5. Hide any cleaners, paint removers, polishing agents, or bleach agents. Better hide your cosmetics too. We know cosmetics such as nail polish removers contain alcohol for astringent properties, and we don’t want to risk it with children.
6. Check the clothing of your children. They might contain strings or attachments that could hurt. It is better don’t buy such clothes. Drawstrings are a no-no too. They could pose hazards of strangulation.
7. Teach children dos and don’ts with pets. Not all pets are harmful, but it is best to be safe.
8. Make their cribs and furniture safe by ensuring their working condition.

Room Access

1. Don’t give access to rooms children shouldn’t enter.
2. Place blocks in staircases and attach childproof gates.
3. Make sharp ends of objects in a room and even possible doors childproof with protective shields or tapes.
4. Place banners or sticky notes to instruct children on handling things in the room or immovable objects.
5. Always close doors and cupboards.
6. Keep the dishwasher, refrigerator, or washing machine closed; if they could be a threat, make sure your child can’t open them.

Play area safety

1. Clean your play area always and remove any spills at once.
2. Don’t clutter the play area. Involve children as you tidy up. This idea can help them learn organizational skills.
3. Check your play area for possible choking toys.
4. Make sure the toys are not peeling or rusting. These chemicals can hurt children. Old or damaged toys can even sport cuts and sharp edges, endangering children.
5. Sanitize toys daily to prevent illnesses and odors.
6. Clean their toys often. Wash stuffed animals and safety blankets often.

Checklist for Outdoor Child Care Safety

1. Fence the outdoor area to prevent outside access into the yard. Make sure the fence is not climbable. Remove any equipment that can help climb and ensure there is no tree around to help.
2. Check the play area for sharp objects, dirt, trash, objects that could hurt, and animal waste.
3. Make use of shock-absorbing surfaces to prevent injuries from falls. Keep sand, mulch, and rubber mats handy for this purpose.
4. Check for any blind spots a child can hide or get lost when you don’t notice.
5. Lock away lawn and garden equipment and chemicals. Remove branches or dangling cords in the garden or anywhere.
6. Make children use helmets when riding wheeled toys.
7. Place slides in a shaded area or under trees to avoid heating and burning on sunny days.
8. Place guard rails on any elevated platforms to prevent falls.