Free Safety Signs

i am getting ready to Put my daughter in daycare what are the safety signs i should know about?

i need to know what look for in a daycare esp. since she can't talk!

Public Comments

1. a place that is obviously looks caring, and see how they discipline kids who are miss-behaving. my sister works at a day care after school and some of the teachers who work in the infant/toddler room just sit there and do nothing. you should also make sure that there aren't things on shelves that could easily be pulled down and fall on your daughter's head. make sure the employees are certified and know CPR, and all that other stuff. oh, you might want to check out where they play. alot of places have playground equipemnt that is on pavement wich is prob not a good idea since the kids could easily fall down (during the spring when there is still sand form the winter) and cut themselves. try to find a place with grass or woodchips.
2. Schedule a visit to local daycares. Then go into there "un-announced" like a week later. Always do two visits: one schedule and one where they don't know you are coming (off gaurd so it isn't a "planned" event). I been to a daycare where they would be on there "best behavior" when they knew a parent was scheduling for a walk through........very sad some daycares run like that. 1) When you walk in the door. Do you notice any door alarms sound off? Do you see if the doors are gaurded so children can not leave or get outside? 2) Are you greeted and asked "can I help you?" or something along the lines that gives you the oppurtunity to introduce yourself and why you are there? 3) Look at the report log of accidents. There should be a report log available to parents who can see how many accidents (major/minor) there is a day/week or month. Was it neglect? etc. 4) How are the nutrtion plans? (you provide food, they provide food?). 5) CPR certified, Infant, Child/Youth? When does it expire and who isn't certified? 6) Look at safety of the toys. Are they well maintained, not broken, clean to best ability (if you come after nap time, most likely they will be a little more dirty than if morning). Is there multi racial and both gender toys? 7) Look at the lesson plans and daily schedule. Do you agree? Something that easily fits with your schedule and learning activities? 8) Observe how the teachers are with the children. Patient? Stressed? Too many children ratio v.s teachers? How do they handle behavior? 9) What is nap time like? (music, quiet, cots or mats, cribs? etc). Up to all safety standards? 10) Before ANY child is picked up. MAKE sure you observe if they are checking ID cards. We had a few children in the past (I make it a point to check ID always) get picked up by family/friends who was NOT allowed to pick them up....... Make sure you bring extra sets of clothes and if infancy to toddlers, diapers (if they do not provide it in the daycare fee). Same with cereal, formulas (breast milk labled in particular) if that is asked or you prefer to provide.
3. As a mom with two young children in daycare I can tell you what are the sing that I looked for when picking out my kids'. What you need to see is the room/s where your child will be in, activities that she might do, what's a typical day there, what's the teacher-child ratio, are the teachers trainned to deal with toddlers/infants-ie ECE,ECA What's the teacher to child ratio? What are the activities the children do during the day? How's naptime done? Meet with the future teachers and ask them questions... what are the guidelines for the centre, how do they deal with discipline as the child gets older... etc And any questions you can think of, remember you're the mom so your questions or worries matter!! You also need to ask if they're providing lunch, who makes it, do they have a meal plan? Can parents see the meal plan? Is it easy to see or do you need to request it? What about kids with allergies, can they cater to those needs? -All these questions will give you an idea of how good the daycare is, whether they have a cook and the meal plan is on a board for every parent to see, or it's sent home every week, it talks about openness and that they have nothing to hide. Also when you meet the teachers, you instincts are also very important. If for some reason you dont like them, then that's fair enough. Also ask about no only qualification of the teachers but experience!! How long they've been working there, etc.. becuase it says that teachers like it there, if they've been there for a while, and as for experience the better care your daughter will recieve. I hope I helped!! Good Luck!!