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What should I look for |
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in a day care center? |
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Whether you are considering a commercial day care center or
one in someone's home, you should check it out carefully. Ask questions of the
staff and members. Talk to parents of other children at the day care center.
Look over the center carefully. This handout gives you a list of questions to
get started.
Ask about the center's policies.
 | What are the center's policies on discipline and other
important issues?
| Are the policies in writing? (Ask for a copy.) |
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Ask how the center cares for sick children.
| How is medicine given?
| How are parents told about illness among the children?
| When must children stay home because of illness?
| Does the center have a "sick room" for children
with minor illnesses?
| Is there a nurse or doctor to help with medical care?
| Are children required to have vaccinations before coming to
day care?
| Is a physical exam required before admission?
| Does the day care center keep a record of health-related
problems, such as illnesses, injuries and accidents, for each child? |
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Ask about the child to staff ratio.
| How many children are there for each staff member? The
fewer children each staff member is responsible for, the better. A
ratio of one staff person for 6 to 8 small children might be good. One staff
member for 10 to 14 older children may be okay.
| Are the younger and older children separated? Separating
the older and younger children helps reduce the number of infections that
are passed around. |
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Ask about staff training.
| What are the training requirements for staff members?
| Are staff members certified in basic first aid?
| Are staff members trained in child development?
| Are staff members trained in identification of abused
children?
| Are staff members trained in preventing illness and
injury?
| Does the center have rules about careful and frequent
hand-washing? This is key to reduce the spread of illness among the
children. All staff members must wash their hands each time they diaper a
child and before fixing meals or snacks. |
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Check building and playground safety.
| Are poison control phone numbers and ambulance phone
numbers clearly posted?
| Does the playground have impact-absorbing surfaces, such as
wood chips, under the swings and slides?
| Are young children able to get to high places?
| Are the children protected from strangers?
| Are fire drills held at least every month?
| Are there smoke alarms throughout the building?
| Does the center use space heaters?
| Are safety gates used in areas for small children?
| Are electric outlets covered?
| Are sharp corners of furniture covered?
| Are the toys kept clean? Washable toys should be washed
every day with a disinfectant cleaner, such as Lysol or a solution of water
and bleach.
| Does the day-care staff regularly clean all surfaces with
disinfectant? |
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What can I do to keep day care safe for my child?
| Visit with the staff at the day-care center. Go to meetings
for family members and learn about the concerns of staff and other parents.
| Suggest educational programs for parents and staff members.
Helpful topics include child development, first aid, dental care, skin
cancer prevention, general safety and recognizing abuse.
| Help with cleaning and repairs at the day-care center. Many
centers appreciate parents helping out as playground supervisors.
| Ask your child every day about what happened at day care. |
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What are some signs that would tell me if there are
problems?
| The staff fails to answer your questions and address your
concerns.
| There is no way for parents to be involved in the day-care
practices.
| Your child tells you about problems or is not happy with
his or her day care experience.
| Unexplained accidents happen more than once.
| The staff changes often.
| The management can't offer you a written copy of the
day-care policies.
| Other parents tell you about problems or concerns with the
day-care center. |
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If you suspect there are problems, contact the agency in your
state that governs day care centers
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