Evaluating Childcare Safety: A Parent's Checklist

Choosing childcare is one of the most important—and stressful—decisions parents make. You're entrusting your child's safety to others, often for many hours each day. Beyond convenience and curriculum, safety should be your top priority. Knowing what to look for helps you make the best choice for your family.

Types of Childcare AAP

Understanding your options:

Childcare centers:

• Licensed facilities
• Multiple staff members
• Structured environment
• Regulated child-to-staff ratios
• Generally more oversight

Family childcare homes:

• Care in provider's home
• Usually licensed (varies by state)
• Smaller groups
• More home-like environment
• May have mixed ages

Nannies and au pairs:

• Care in your home
• One-on-one attention
• Less regulated
• You set the standards

Relative care:

• Care by family members
• Familiar environment
• Less formal arrangement
• May need guidance on safety standards

Licensing and Accreditation AAP

### Licensing

What to verify:

• Is the facility licensed? (Required in most states)
• When was the last inspection?
• Were there any violations?
• How were violations addressed?

How to check:

• State childcare licensing website
• Ask for license number and verify
• Request to see inspection reports
• Ask about any complaints

### Accreditation

Accreditation indicates higher standards:

• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
• NAFCC (National Association for Family Child Care)
• Other state or national accreditations

Note: Accreditation is voluntary and goes beyond basic licensing requirements.

Staff Qualifications AAP

### What to Ask

Background checks:

• Are criminal background checks conducted?
• How often? (Should be at least at hire)
• Are fingerprint checks done?
• What disqualifies an applicant?

Training:

• What qualifications do staff have?
• Are staff trained in CPR and first aid?
• How often is training updated?
• What ongoing training is required?

Child abuse prevention:

• What training is provided?
• What is the reporting policy?
• How are allegations handled?

### Staff-to-Child Ratios

Recommended ratios (varies by state):

• Infants (0-12 months): 1:3 or 1:4
• Toddlers (12-28 months): 1:3 to 1:4
• 2-year-olds: 1:4 to 1:6
• Preschoolers (3-5): 1:6 to 1:10
• School-age: 1:10 to 1:12

Lower ratios are better for supervision and attention.

Physical Safety CPSC

### Indoor Safety Checklist

General environment:

• [ ] Clean and well-maintained
• [ ] Adequate lighting
• [ ] Comfortable temperature
• [ ] Smoke and CO detectors working
• [ ] Fire extinguishers accessible
• [ ] Emergency exits clear and marked

Childproofing:

• [ ] Outlet covers
• [ ] Cabinet locks
• [ ] Safety gates on stairs
• [ ] Secured heavy furniture
• [ ] No accessible cords or strings
• [ ] Window guards or stops

Hazard control:

• [ ] Cleaning supplies locked away
• [ ] Medications secured
• [ ] No choking hazards accessible
• [ ] Age-appropriate toys in good condition
• [ ] No recalled equipment

### Outdoor Safety Checklist

Playground:

• [ ] Age-appropriate equipment
• [ ] Safe surfacing under equipment
• [ ] No gaps that could trap heads
• [ ] Equipment in good repair
• [ ] Fenced area
• [ ] Supervision during outdoor play

General outdoor:

• [ ] No toxic plants accessible
• [ ] No standing water
• [ ] Safe surfaces (no broken glass, sharp objects)
• [ ] Shade available
• [ ] Sun protection policy

Sleep Safety (For Infants) AAP

### Safe Sleep Practices

Verify:

• [ ] Infants sleep on backs
• [ ] Safe cribs (no bumpers, blankets, pillows)
• [ ] One child per crib
• [ ] Cribs meet current safety standards
• [ ] No inclined sleepers or positioning devices
• [ ] Direct supervision during sleep

Policy questions:

• What is the sleep position policy?
• What is in the crib during sleep?
• How often are sleeping babies checked?
• Can you bring your own sleep sack?

Health and Hygiene AAP

### Handwashing

Check for:

• Proper handwashing stations
• Staff and children wash hands frequently
• Handwashing after diapering, before meals, after outdoor play
• Soap and paper towels available

### Diapering

Verify:

• Dedicated diaper changing area
• Sanitized after each use
• Proper disposal of diapers
• Handwashing by staff after each change

### Illness Policies

Ask about:

• When are sick children excluded?
• How are parents notified of illness?
• How are outbreaks handled?
• What is the medication administration policy?
• Are immunization records required?

Food Safety AAP

### Food Handling

Check:

• [ ] Clean food preparation areas
• [ ] Proper food storage
• [ ] Safe food temperatures
• [ ] Allergen awareness
• [ ] Choking hazard awareness

### Feeding Practices

For infants:

• Are bottles handled safely?
• Is breastmilk stored properly?
• Are feeding preferences accommodated?

For all ages:

• Are allergies documented and communicated?
• How are choking hazards handled?
• Is mealtime supervised?

Emergency Preparedness FEMA

### Emergency Plans

Verify existence of:

• Written emergency plans
• Evacuation procedures
• Shelter-in-place procedures
• Fire drill schedule (and records)
• Lockdown procedures

Ask:

• How often are drills conducted?
• What is the plan for natural disasters?
• Where would children go in an evacuation?
• How are parents notified?

### Emergency Information

Ensure:

• Current emergency contacts on file
• Medical information accessible
• Permission forms for emergency care
• First aid kits stocked and accessible

Supervision and Security AAP

### Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Verify:

• Secure entry (no open access)
• Sign-in/sign-out procedures
• Authorization required for pick-up
• ID checked for unfamiliar people
• Children released only to authorized individuals

### During the Day

Observe:

• Are children always supervised?
• How are transitions handled?
• What happens during bathroom breaks?
• How are field trips supervised?

Red Flags AAP

### Warning Signs

Be concerned if:

• Facility won't allow drop-in visits
• You can't access your child anytime
• Staff seems stressed or overwhelmed
• Children seem unhappy or scared
• Discipline seems harsh
• Facility appears unclean or unsafe
• Staff can't answer safety questions
• Licensing is not current
• High staff turnover

### Trust Your Instincts

If something feels wrong:

• Ask more questions
• Visit again unexpectedly
• Consider other options
• Report serious concerns to licensing authorities

Questions to Ask AAP

About safety:

• What is your emergency plan?
• How do you handle medical emergencies?
• What is your discipline policy?
• How do you prevent child abuse?
• What security measures are in place?

About staff:

• What are your hiring requirements?
• What training do staff receive?
• What is the staff turnover rate?
• How long have teachers been here?

About your child:

• How will you communicate with me?
• How do you handle behavioral issues?
• What happens if my child is hurt?
• How do you accommodate individual needs?

After You Choose AAP

### Ongoing Monitoring

Continue to:

• Visit unexpectedly occasionally
• Communicate regularly with staff
• Ask your child about their day
• Watch for changes in behavior
• Attend parent events and meetings
• Review any incident reports
• Stay informed about any issues

### Trust but Verify

Pay attention to:

• Child's happiness and comfort
• Staff interaction with children
• Facility conditions over time
• Communication quality
• How concerns are handled

The Bottom Line

Choosing childcare requires careful evaluation of safety, staff qualifications, licensing, and your own instincts. Use checklists but also pay attention to how the environment feels. Once you choose, stay involved and communicate regularly. Your ongoing attention helps ensure your child remains safe and well-cared for.

Clara can help you create a customized childcare evaluation checklist for your family's specific needs!