What are the Components of a Safe Childcare Facility?

Choosing a childcare facility can be a real challenge, especially when attempting to determine what constitutes a safe, high-quality facility. With so many options to choose from, how do I know which one is right for me? The following questions will help you determine whether a facility is right for your child.

Is the childcare facility properly licensed?

Proper licensing is vital to ensuring effective regulation of a childcare facility. Without it, there is little to no oversight to ensure the care and safety of your child. Licensing requirements also allow for a process of review and enforcement in the case of complaints.

What is the child-to-adult ratio?

Depending on the ages of the children in care, there are regulations regarding the number of adults that must be present at a given time. This maximizes the care and safety of your child, by ensuring appropriate supervision and care at all times.

What are the educational requirements for caregivers and/or administrators?

Many childcare facilities require only a high school education to qualify for employment, which may not prepare a caregiver to meet your child’s needs and properly adhere to childcare regulations. Look for a childcare provider or service run by someone with a background in early childhood education, and caregivers who’ve completed received degrees or certifications in the same.

Have all employees gone through a background check and fingerprinting?

Background checks and fingerprinting are extremely important in childcare, as they help ensure the quality and background of the caregivers. This screening process decreases the chances of an unqualified or unsafe caregiver being around your child.

Are the children always supervised?

Children must always be supervised —even when sleeping! Look for a childcare facility that puts a strong emphasis on supervision.