7 childcare centre safety issues to look out for

In any childcare facility, although the childrens' safety can be controlled by regulations and strict protocols, as a parent there are still some aspects you can check yourself. If things aren’t up to snuff, point out the trouble areas and ask for corrective measures to be taken. After all, it's everybody's responsibility to ensure the welfare of the children.

Here are 7 safety issues to watch for:

Cupboard doors must be closed properly to make it impossible for young children to open them.

• Safety devices can be added to door handles to prevent them from being easily opened.
• Safety barriers should also be installed in all stairways in order to prevent falls.
• All pointed, sharp and dangerous objects must be kept in a well-supervised area that is out of the reach of children, such as in a tall cupboard.

Medications and dangerous cleaning products must always be kept under lock and key in all daycare facilities.

• Young children are naturally curious and tend to "explore" the world by putting things in their mouth.

It may be useful for the childcare centre’s play area to be covered with interlocking foam floor mats that break falls.

All electrical cords and computer wires should be out of the way or attached to walls to prevent the children from tripping over them, wrapping them around their necks or pulling on them.

• When not in use, electrical outlets should be hidden with outlet covers.

Ideally, indoor and outdoor play areas should be inspected by specialists so they don’t present a risk of injury.

• For example, furniture corners should be fitted with some form of protection in case of falls, and outdoor play modules should be solid and safe.

A primary child safety consideration at any childcare facility is fire prevention and an escape route.

• Every daycare should have an evacuation plan in case of a fire.
• Make sure your child is aware of all emergency exits and the designated meeting place outside the building.
• See if the facility is equipped with an extinguisher that can control a fire that is just breaking out.

It is highly recommended that daycare staff be well versed in first aid.

• In Quebec, where daycare is subsidized, all staff members of approved childcare facilities must update their first-aid certificates every three years.

The subject of childcare centres and child safety also includes the emotional safety of the children. For this reason, licensed daycares exercise strict standards when hiring employees.

• Educators need to have proper training and be able to detect any physical dangers and psychological distress in children.
• They also have to know how to intervene in tricky emotional and social situations.
• All daycare employees should undergo a criminal records check before they are hired to show that their background is not incompatible with working in childcare.