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Choosing Safe and Healthy Childcare

A Checklist

• Does the lead teacher in a childcare center have a bachelor's degree in a child-related field?
• Has the teacher worked in childcare for at least one year?
• Does the teacher give children lessons and toys that are right for their ages?

Child Staff Ratio and Group Size>

• How many children are being cared for in the childcare center?
• How many caregivers are there?

Hint: Your child will get more attention if each caregiver has fewer children to take care of. The younger the children are, the more caregivers there should be. For example, one caregiver should only take care of three babies.

Immunizations

• Is your child up-to-date on all of the required immunizations?
• Does the childcare program have records proving that the other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations?

Toxic Substances

• Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children?
• Has the building been checked for dangerous substances like radon, lead and asbestos?
• Is poison control information posted?

Emergency Plan

Does the childcare program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick or lost?
• Does the childcare program have first aid kits?
• Does the childcare program have information about who to contact in an emergency?

Fire Drills

Does the childcare program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard or earthquake?
• Does the childcare program do practice drills once every month?