Written and prepared by Gil Alba
Parents have to take an active role and conduct their own investigation into their child's day care center.
Positive adult-child interaction and excellent curriculum planning is an admirable starting point for a child care center. However, that does not compensate for an environment that may be potentially dangerous to both the children and the staff.
Quality security and safety measures are essential in order to protect, prepare and educate the children and the staff concerning security and safety issues.
Each state has their own compliance requirements, but many states make it mandatory that child care centers be licensed.
The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC) is the largest and most influential of early childhood educators. The NAEYC accreditation criteria and procedures have the same requirements nationally for day care center.
The questionnaire is information gained from several different sources to include material reviewed from the NAEYC and the State of New Jersey, (Bureau of Licensing).
The questionnaire should not be viewed as an exhaustive source for information. Each facility has its own specific qualities.
The questionnaire contains recommendations and suggestions only, regarding evaluating security measures. It does not however, suggest that the questionnaire will prevent future criminal activity or any unforeseen emergency situations.
QUESTIONNAIRE - Surrounding Area
- Are potential hazardous or chemical sites, i.e. power plants, industry, in the immediate area of the child care facility?
- Are the essential services such as hospitals, police, fire support, and emergency aid located in close proximity?
- Are shrubs and foliage maintained to allow for a clear line of sight?
- Have all poisonous shrubs and dangerous bushes been removed?
- Is there adequate exterior lighting around the building?
- Are exterior play areas enclosed?
- Is playground equipment periodically checked for safe operation?
- Is vehicular access and deliveries restricted near all play areas?
- Are grounds secured by fencing or protective barriers and gates?
- Has a physical security survey ever been conducted regarding the buildings and grounds at the facility?
QUESTIONNAIRE - Middle Perimeter
- Is the interior lighting adequate?
- Is there a crisis management procedure or outline available in the event of an emergency situation?
- Are keys and other identifiable materials returned when persons are no longer employed?
- Are entrances and exits clearly marked with appropriate signs?
- Are signs in place to direct visitors where to report?
- Is the parent drop-off and pick-up area clearly defined?
- Are there signs for the bus loading and drop off safety zones?
- Are outdoor play areas, walks, etc. free from hazards?
- Is lighting provided at entrances and other points of possible intrusion?
- Are light fixtures securely mounted and out of the reach of children?
QUESTIONNAIRE - Administrative Policy
- Is there a written child abuse neglect reporting policy?
- Is there a written policy regarding children’s rights as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act which requires that programs make reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities and chronic illness?
- Does the staff keep information about the children, their families and associates confidential?
- Is there a provision that requires an on-site person designated to assume authority and to take action in an emergency, in the event that the director is not present?
- Is there a procedure for accountability when a child fails to show for the program?
- Are vehicles equipped with age-appropriate restraint devices and is there a certification that shows that the vehicles used for transporting children are licensed, inspected and maintained?
- Is there a hotline number set-up specifically for families and other persons in the event of an emergency?
- Are visitors required to sign in?
- Are visitors issued ID or a visitor's pass?
- Are staff members required to display proper identification?
- Is written verification and confirmation for permission to pick up children by non-custodial parents or relatives enforced?
- Are windows and doors properly secured and in working order?
- Is there an emergency back-up lighting system in place?
- Is there a policy where staff members inspect areas for potential safety hazards such as; cribs, soft bedding, playground surface maintenance, child safety gates, window blind cords, drawstrings in clothing and recalled children’s products?
- Is the supervision of children playing outside in the playground adequate and focused on the vulnerability to injury due to a child falling on hard surfaces?
QUESTIONNAIRE - Administrative Policy
- Are chemicals and toxic products stored in locked cabinets and out of reach of children?
- Is the lighting and heating adequate?
- Are the electrical outlets covered?
- Are the facility records and files maintained in a secure location, locked, vandal proof and fire proof?
- Are pertinent inspection records properly maintained regarding health care permits, fire inspection certification, etc.?
- Is the size of the facility able to accommodate the number of children in attendance?
- Is the staff aware of legal responsibilities, safety rules and policies as it applies to state and federal laws?
- Are staff members trained in dealing with emergency procedures such as first aid and CPR?
- Is there a system in place where violations of state and federal law are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies?
- Is the staff/child ratio adhered to as proscribed by law?
- Is there a secondary location that children may be removed to in the event of an emergency?
- Are blueprints of the facility available to emergency responders?
- Are there background checks on all employees, including drivers and maintenance personnel and do they include the following: fingerprinting, social security number verification, criminal history, educational verification for administrators, teachers, aides and support staff and motor vehicle records?
- Does access control equipment limit visitors accessibility to the facility?
QUESTIONNAIRE - Administrative Policy
- Is there accountability for end of day inspections of the facility to ensure there are no irregularities?
- Is the facility adequately staffed?
- Is there a visitor’s pass and accountability for every person entering the day care center?
- Are all deliveries verified and appropriately screened?
- Is there a good communication method and is the public address system in operation?
- Are emergency doors readily accessible and unblocked?
- Is the access door to the staff locked at all times and accessed only by authorized personnel with appropriate key card or key?
- Is there a plan to account for every child and staff member during an evacuation, disaster or disruption?
- Is there training or written policy as to what a staff member should do in the event that parents are arguing and physically fighting over custody of their child on a particular day?
- Is there a clear policy concerning the release of children to parents or individuals given authority by the parent?
- Although the law mandates, is there a policy that drivers have clean licenses, are fingerprinted if possible and have a complete background check?
- Is there a written policy and training of staff members to ensure that a child is not left alone at anytime?
- Is there a written policy regarding evacuating the center?
- Are fire drills practiced and is everyone evacuated from the buildings?
- Is there a written bomb threat or suspicious packages policy?
- Is there a first aid kit and first aid manual?
- Is the child care center accredited by National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC)?
See also...
Newsday Article on Child Care Safety
