According to a recent study, more than half of Canadian children under the age of six are enrolled in daycares (52 percent). It’s only natural that you want to keep them as safe as possible by learning how to identify a trustworthy daycare centre.

Signs of a Trustworthy Daycare

It’s tough to place your trust in someone you don’t know with your child even if you’re not away for forty hours or more each week. As a result, we recognize how difficult it is for a busy parent who works full-time to find a daycare center they can trust. There’s no doubt that there are plenty of things you should look for in every childcare facility, but there’s also the matter of giving the institution of your choice some time to assess your baby’s security and joy! While looking for a reputable daycare may appear to be an overwhelming task, it isn’t as difficult as you might believe when you do some study.

Your child’s safety and security should be at the top of your list. Licensing, childproofing, safety procedures, monitoring, emergency protocols, and age-appropriate toys are just a few of the necessary factors to look for in a safe childcare center.

CHILD CARE CENTRES THAT ARE LICENSED ARE ALWAYS AHEAD

A daycare may or may not be licensed. Still, a recognized institution will undoubtedly provide a safer and more trustworthy environment for your children to develop and thrive. Furthermore, in an atmosphere without childcare licensing requirements or explicit rules in place, there are no established standards for parents when it comes to quality.

A properly licensed center, on the other hand, meets all building codes and zoning rules and has competent employees. Furthermore, the maximum number of children permitted in licensed facilities is determined by a variety of criteria such as the facility’s size, number of qualified personnel, facility safety measures, and more.

SAFETY PRACTICES

Check for any ongoing contact between the child care center and a qualified health consultant. A licensed medical expert who has expertise educating child care providers on how to improve their health and safety practices is known as a child care health consultant. Centres that employ an experienced health consultant score higher in terms of health and safety criteria.

Not only that, but at least one member of the team should be trained in pediatric CPR and first aid, if not all. Because as we all know: calamities can happen in a matter of seconds. If training completion certificates aren’t already on display, request to see them and ensure they’re current (taken within the last two years).

In general, you should get the impression that the daycare is a safe and healthy environment. On a regular basis, employees and children should wash their hands, cleaning personnel should sanitize surfaces, and instructors should put infants to sleep on their backs to help prevent the spread of illnesses.

OUTDOOR & PLAYGROUND SAFETY

Infant and toddler physical play in the great outdoors provides them with much-needed exercise, sunshine, and a varied setting in which to master motor skills. As a result, it’s critical for a daycare centre to have a secure and age-appropriate outdoor space and playground.

When it comes to motor skills, children go through several phases of development. To give an example, they might be learning how to walk, work on running, or learn how to climb. All motor abilities must be aided by safe and appropriate equipment and surfaces. Children of different ages will benefit from having various outdoor toys (infants, toddlers, pre-schools, and kindergarteners).

CHILDPROOFING & AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS

Consider how much time you spent going through your house with a fine-tooth comb and childproofing every square inch of it? A dependable daycare should have similar rules in place to ensure that everything is looked at on a daily basis. Keep an eye out for these childproofing essentials when you’re out and about.

• The curtain strings are coiled and fastened with hooks placed out of reach.
• Windows and window curtains are kept out of reach from cribs.
• For safety reasons, furniture is kept at a safe distance from windows. The chance of climbing and falling is reduced as a result of this.
• All of the outlet covers are firmly secured.
• The stairwell is blocked by a stair gate.
• Toy chests have spring-loaded hinges and are not as bulky as traditional ones.
• Infant car seats, as well as high chairs and changing tables, are equipped with infant safety belts.
• Toys are clean and in good working order.
• There are no tiny items in the region that youngsters may suffocate on.
• Children’s access to dangerous chemicals is limited.
• All toys are appropriate for the age of the children using them.

Did you know that every year, thousands of youngsters are harmed because of “ hazardous” toys? You might believe that dangerous toys include ones with pointy objects and tiny pieces, but children are far more delicate than you may imagine.

Daycare toys should ideally be appropriate for the age of the children and meet the highest safety standards. Selecting playthings that are suitable for a daycare necessitates considering how safe, appropriate, and pleasant they will be.

Avoid plush animals and toys with extra features like button eyes and noses, as well as clothing items like ribbons. If they become detached or pulled off, they might be a choking hazard. Stuffed animals should be simple to clean and devoid of pellets, which can result in suffocation or choking.