Safe Environment for children

All indoor and outdoor equipment and activity materials in a day care center should be used in a safe and appropriate

manner both by the child and the employee and all of the manufacturer's instructions should be followed and used for its intended purpose and be used by the age-appropriate group of children. Equipment and furniture should be free in a hazardous conditions. For example sharp rough edges or toxic paint and it should be left clean. Equipment and furniture should be placed so as to permit the children’s freedom of movement and to minimize danger of accident and collision. It should also secured if it is of weight or mass that could cause an injury from tripping falling. There should be table space provided for each child who is able to sit at the table unassisted the chair should also be an appropriate size for the age of the child. Toys. There should be a variety of age appropriate toys and play materials should be available. They should be stored in low open shelves accessible to children in each room or assigned area. Toys that launch such as dart guns pop guns slingshots ect are not allowed in center and balloons shall not be accessible to preschool children Toys for children under 3 years of age shall also be age appropriate. Those toys should be non-toxic lead free too large to be swallowed by the child and not capable of causing asphyxiation or strangulation free of sharp pieces edges and points free of small parts which may be pried off by child free of rust and easily cleaned with a disinfectant daily   

Child Ratios and Super Vision

Indoor and outdoor safety hazards:

Bathrooms

• Required facilities shall be provided in the following minimum ratios for the use of all children  
• Should be located on each floor
• Ventilation
• Supplies - easy reach of children and equipped with soap toilet tissue
• Cleaned daily
• One working sink and toilet for every 25 students.

Diapering

Diapers shall be changed in the child's own crib or on a diaper changing surface that is used for no purposes

the surface shall be smooth, nonporous, and equipped with a guard or rails to prevent falls

Between each diaper change, the diaper changing surface shall be cleaned with a disinfectant and dried with a single-use disposable towel.

Infants and children shall not be left unattended while being diapered

Area should include liquid soap, individually dispensed, single-use hand towels, single-use wash cloths, and covered storage container for soiled items.

Field Trips

• Parental Permission: center shall obtain written permission for the child to  participate.
• Emergency medical information is needed for each child to include allergies; special medical needs and conditions; current prescribed medications that child takes or chronic condition should be listed along with contact and address information of child's doctor and medical facility.
• Each child on a  field trip should have on their person there name and the centers address and telephone number.

Hygiene

• Bathtubs and showers shall be cleaned with disinfectant after each use
• Childrens hands shall be washed with liquid soap and warm running water
• Cups shall be discarded after each use unless the cups are sanitized in a dishwasher between EACH use
• Potty chairs after each use should be emptied by disposal in a flush toilet cleaned with disinfectant, and stored in bathroom

Medications

1. Parental Authorization: other than first aid or as authorized under Georgia law, Personnel shall not provide prescription or non-prescription medications to a child without written authorization from the child’s physician or parent

2. Providing Medication: only give it out of its original container which must labeled with the child’s name or as authorized under Georgia law (distribution limited to 2 weeks)

3. Dispensing Records: all medications record provide to children must include: date, time, and amount of medication

4. Storage: kept in a locked cabinet/container or not within children reach, stored separate from any chemicals, supplies or poisons.

5. Unused Medication: must be returned to the child’s parent(s) immediately.

6. Non-Emergency Injection: shall only be manage by licensed persons, or only allow the child to self-administer when the parent and physician sign a written authorization.