Choosing a daycare for your infant, toddler or preschooler is a big decision, especially safety and quality play an important role in considering a perfect daycare. Children’s early stages of growth and development depend upon the environment they are exposed to and the people with whom they are associated the most. When selecting a daycare, it is necessary to check all the safety measures. We invite you to use this daycare essential checklist to ensure all the perspectives. Come, let’s jump into the blog.
The Essential Daycare Supply List
License
The daycare you choose for your kid, whether it is a child care center or a home daycare center that serves five or more children, must have an approved license from the state or local government. Having a valid license ensures basic protection and safety requirements.
Staff
From the moment a child steps foot in the daycare, staff are responsible for the safety of children throughout the day. As parents, you need to validate the experience and skills of the daycare trainer/staff/teacher. For example, there should be 1 adult for 3-4 infants, and 1 adult for young toddlers(1-2 years), the ratio may vary depending on the kid’s age and the daycare program.
Emergency Preparedness
Daycare needs to be prepared for any natural disaster or emergency that may occur during operating hours. Handling a power outage or an active shooter is totally different from handling a fire, earthquake, or another natural disaster. You must validate and understand the safety protocols followed by the daycare to analyze their preparedness for emergencies.
Health Precautions
The next in your checklist is to find out if the daycare is equipped with all the necessary equipment to manage emergencies. For example, they should have band-aids, first-aid kits, and other medicines in place. It should also be accessible and the staff should have good knowledge about using the same.
Here are a few things you need to verify at your child’s daycare:
- First aid kit and medication
- Staff training on simple first aid such as chocking
- Cleanliness
- Knowledge of food allergies and usage of EpiPen.
Daycare Checklist Based on Atmosphere, Location, and Others
Play Area
Physical education plays an important role in everyone’s childhood. Parents must check for spacious, safe areas for kids to play with the daycare safety regulations. The management has to be ready with a prepared list of fun-filled physical activities for the kids. This will help the kids channel their energy in the physical development of the kid.
Digital Time
Parents need to be aware of the technology and digital equipment used in their child’s daycare. If the daycare encourages screen time, parents should be allowed to monitor the number of hours and the kind of data they consume through digital media. Daycare is responsible for engaging the kids and they should not entertain screen time.
Location Security
When parents or guardians drop off their kids at their daycare, they need to be very confident that their daycare is very safe and secure. You can even ask relevant questions to the daycare in charge to find out more about the location and any possible threats.
Passes for the Attendees
Your child’s daycare should provide Attendee sheets and passes to the parents and guardians to pick up their child during dispersal, as it is an important safety rule of the daycare center. You should avoid enrolling your child in daycare that doesn’t follow this procedure.
Health and Safety Supplies
Quality begins with basic health and safety. It is very important to check the health and safety requirements for every daycare.
Physical Safety
Usually, kids can get into all sorts of trouble during playtime. Your daycare center and playground need to be as child-friendly as possible to keep them from hurting themselves during playtime. These are some of the safety measures that can be followed.
- Ensure that toys, furniture, and playground equipment are in good condition.
- The electrical cords should be out of reach of children and walking areas should be clear.
- They should also keep unused electrical outlets covered with tamper-resistant safety covers.
Child-Proof and Safety
Before enrolling children in daycare, you need to take a walk and examine the floor, windows, and staircases for any breaks, cracks, or other dangers. You must also insist the daycare rectify the damages instantly.
Camera
To ensure the safety and well-being of your children, you can ask the daycare provider to share the surveillance of the premises of the daycare. This allows you to ensure your child’s safety. Bathrooms and diaper-changing tables may be an exception in some daycare centers for privacy.
Ventilated Facility
The facility must have good ventilation with windows. Kids need to get fresh air for an active mindset. This will help them feel more comfortable.
Nutrition
The daycare should be very transparent with the details of the food they will be providing for the kids. There must be a particular baby food chart designed to make sure that the kids get all the nutrition they need. Junk food is to be avoided strictly. Every kid should have a separate lunch box, food containers, and a water bottle to avoid any viral infection spreading. You must inform them if your child is allergic to certain foods or environments.
Cleaning Supplies
Hygiene is the top concern when it comes to kids. A periodic check for cleanliness is mandatory. As a parent, you should visit your child’s daycare often to make sure all the security checks are in place. You can feel free to talk to the representative to address any concerns.
Here are a few things to check concerning the cleanliness of the place:
Toys
The toys are to be sanitized frequently. All the toys should be out of repair and in good condition for kids to play. In a daycare checklist for kids, the toys and materials should be under proper inspection.
Hazard Check
Kids tend to swallow anything and everything during their early stages. Only toys without any hazards have to be allowed inside the facility.
Doors
The doors of the bathroom should be designed in such a way that they can be opened from the outside easily to avoid kids getting stuck inside. Also, all the doors must be pushed back to avoid any injuries.
Cleanliness Inspection
Hygiene is the top concern when it comes to kids. A periodic check for cleanliness is mandatory.
A Weekly Daycare Packing List for Babies
Diaper
Diapers play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene and preventing bacterial growth. It is important to have diapers in stock along with the diaper cream to control diaper rash in the daycare.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are an essential item in every daycare. They come in handy for various purposes, from cleaning sticky hands and faces to wiping down surfaces.
Extra Clothes
Kids can also have little accidents such as leaking through nappies or during the toilet training stage, so they must have at least two backup outfits and lots of spare underwear to keep them dry and comfortable throughout the day.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen and sun protection are very important for children and adults. Protecting the kid’s skin from too much sun exposure can greatly reduce this risk. Sunburn during childhood has been linked to a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Pacifier
Pacifiers can be a great way for babies to self-soothe without needing to be held, or fed. If your baby is between the ages of 06 months and 24 months, include a pacifier in the diaper bag.
Nap Mat
Give your kid a personalized nap mat to create a comfortable and familiar environment to sleep or rest when they’re away from home. They also promote kid independence and a sense of routine.
These are the focal parameters when it comes to a daycare checklist.
FAQ
What is a checklist in childcare?
A checklist is an inventory of behaviors or skills of the kids. It is used to give parents an idea about the annual development of their kids. Start with a list of items to observe and then check off each item when appropriate.
How do I make my daycare stand out?
- Developing a unique curriculum.
- Focus on activities that foster learning and development
- Provide a clean and safe environment
How do I prepare my 2-year-old for daycare?
- Visit the childcare center. Visit your child’s classroom and meet the staff there a few days ahead of time.
- Create a goodbye virtual
- Change their routines
- Encourage the things they do.
How do you pack a baby for daycare?
The best way to pack for daycare is to have two bags. One bag will stay at the daycare with extras like diapers, wipes, clothing, and bedding, and it can be replenished as needed. The other bag will go with your baby every day and carry food and snacks.
