Health & Safety Checklist

In Indiana, there are many kinds of child care programs. Some programs may operate in large centers with many classrooms, while others may take place in someone’s home or within a church or faith-based location. Regardless of which you choose for your family, your child should be healthy and safe throughout the day.

As you visit a new program or send your child to their current program, here are the essential questions you should ask and items to keep in mind focused on child health and safety. The answers to all questions should be YES:

Class & Group Sizes

• Are there enough adults in the room to carefully watch each child?
• Are caregivers paying individual attention to each child?

Safe Sleep

• Are all children watched and monitored during nap times?
• Is there a separate crib or pack n play for each infant?
• At nap time, are infants placed alone on their backs in a crib (pacifier optional) cleared of all other items?
• Do older children have a quiet place to rest or nap?

Security

• Are main entrances locked and are internal stairways and doorways safeguarded to prevent wandering children?
• Are children accompanied by an adult and actively supervised while playing outside?
• Do child-accessible electrical outlets have covers, safety plugs or are tamper-resistant and labeled as such?
• Are cleaning supplies, other poisonous materials and dangerous items locked up, out of children’s reach?
• Do caregivers have medicines labeled and out of children’s reach?
• Is the program willing to work with families to create individualized safety plans for children with disabilities, developmental delays and/or medical conditions (e.g. medical plans, allergy plans or plans to prevent children from leaving child care grounds)?

Emergency Procedures

• Are there clear emergency plans that include how to prepare and support all children, including those with disabilities, during an emergency?
• Are caregivers trained in first aid, CPR and safe sleep?
• Is there a fully stocked first-aid kit available and accessible to adults, but out of children’s reach?

Cleaning, Sanitizing & Hand Washing

• Are caregivers cleaning infants and toddlers quickly when diapers or clothing are wet or soiled?
• Are caregivers supporting children ages 3+ with bathroom needs, including having a designated table or cot for diapering?
• Are adults and children washing their hands before handling food and when changing diapers or helping children use the restroom?
• Are caregivers cleaning diaper-changing surfaces and disinfecting them after each use?
• Is the environment clean and are toys and shared materials sanitized often?

Development & Well-being

• Are caregivers handling discipline in a calm, consistent way to encourage positive behavior?
• Does the program have a suspension and expulsion plan?
• Can all children move freely in the room? (e.g. Is there physical space between centers and activities? Are rugs secured to the ground?)
• Does the program have a plan for enrollment that includes the opportunity to share and plan for the specific needs of my child?
• Do the caregivers have experience working with children who have [insert your child’s disabilities, medical condition or developmental delay]?*
• Is the program welcoming to outside therapies (e.g. First Steps or ABA therapy) happening in the program?*

*Specific to families with children who have disabilities, medical conditions and/or developmental delays