Family daycare safety check off list

Running a daycare means safety comes first. I've created a daily safety check off list for you to use to get you started on your own. Feel free to edit as needed to fit your needs. This list is for high quality safety, not for just above regulations. Safety = Quality.

Kitchen

All cleaners, chemicals, and medications are in locked cabinet
Sharp objects inaccessible
Outlets are covered
Any other unsafe items removed

Bathroom

All cleaners, chemicals, and medication are in a locked cabinet
Personal unsafe items are put away (curling irons, razors)
All cabinets have working childproof locks
Outlets covered

Living/Play area

Entrances/ Exits are locked and secured
Outlets covered
Wires from electronics safely stored away
Bookcases/heavy equipment are secured to the wall
Mini blind cords are separated/ out of reach
Sharp corners on furniture are covered
Broken toys or equipment is removed
Rugs are secured down
Tripping hazards are cleared
Safety gates are in place

Napping area

Outlets are covered
Mini blind cords are separated/out of reach
Bedding is stored separated
Beds are placed 36’’ apart while in use (best practice)
Any unsafe items removed

Outdoor area

Gates are locked and secured
Inaccessible areas are blocked off
Mats are in place for fall zones
Broken toys and debris are removed
Items with peeling paint or splintering wood are removed or made inaccessible
Animal feces is removed
Walk ways and entrances are cleared from items blocking access
Spider webs and any other insect nests (bee hives) are removed
Plants with thorns are cut back
Any poisonous plants are removed (check for neighbors’ growing over fence lines)
All water is dumped when not in use (including rain water)

Supervision

Portable monitor systems are on and in use (if using)
Ratios are correct
Daily roster in place and updated (if using)

Comments

Circle time upgrade

This is our Focus board for our Circle time. I had fun picking out some cute decor this summer. This is what's displayed: We have a theme each month that we talk about at circle time, design our dramatic play around, have writing journals based upon, and crafts that are based around too. We have a weekly letter that we talk about at circle and have some activities during the week. We also have our calendar that we keep updated and only talk about it on occasion since our 2 and 3 year old are not much into right now. Our dry erase magnate board is used for writing morning messages, making lists together, practicing our letter writing, and holding up our circle songs. We also have our sign in display( the orange ones). I've bought name plates for each theme each month. We sign in every day and sing about our shirts or ask a question to answer each day. I've laminated our simple circle time rules ( that came from a program called 2nd Step) we go over our rules when we are havi...

How to stop sick children from coming to daycare

It's that time of year again. Children are getting sick and parents need to go to work and then they attempt to drop their sick child off at daycare ... This can be a sticky situation if you don't have a plan in place To help avoid this situation from occurring here are some steps you can take for your family childcare: Step 1. Include in your parent handbook simply and clearly your expectations around sickness Always go over this piece in your handbook during their enrollment. Maybe even have them initial this section Step 2. Also during enrollment explain to your parents that you want to have a healthy atmosphere for their child to play and grow in and that is why you only care for healthy children. If you help them see this as benefiting them, they are more likely to follow your guidelines when asked. Step 3. Periodically ( flu season*cough) remind your family's of your sickness policy. Post a cute sign like my free example below as so...

New bulletin board

Here is my new parent board! I'm so happy with how it turned out. I plan of making a children's sign in board on the poster down by the shoe bench. I am starting my new adventure again. Well here we go again. I am returning to daycare after a year and 4 month break. I learned a lot working as a child development specialist. I helped get the EHS program going in my county. I mentored 16 family childcare providers. Some of the things I did were helped them get their health and safety up to the performance standards and offered technical assistance for help with setting up their environments, how to handle challenging behaviors, and curriculum planning. During this process I learned a lot of new things as well. I've done over 120 hours in trainings. Plus when you work with other providers in their environments, you pick up on new ways to do things. I feel this job has been a great benefit to me as I open my family childcare back up.

My Daycare Coach

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