The Parent/Caregiver Safety Zone

 

Parents, Caregivers and Care Providers

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There is someone out there who can relate, understand and care for your children; all you need to do is find them. Learning how to recognize that “someone” is the first step towards finding quality childcare for your children.  Keep your chin up – this could be a long process.

When looking for childcare there are three choices: 

• Licensed day care centres
• Agency home child care
• Unlicensed home child care 

Licensed day care centres must be annually inspected in order for the license to be renewed. 

Agency home child care providers are visited on a more regular basis and receive support from Home Child Care staff. Find out more about the PMFRC Private Home Daycare Program.

Unlicensed caregivers provide an estimated 80% of Canada’s childcare spaces. By law, there can only be five children at one time in an unlicensed caregivers’ home, excluding their own children. There is no inspection, no screening process and no requirement for formal training. 

This puts the responsibility on your shoulders to ensure you are leaving your children in a safe environment

 

Regardless

Some factors which should affect your child care decision:

General

• Are there 5 children or less?
• Receive and check references (preferably from parents of children currently in care)
• Do unannounced spot checks
• What is the "ill child" policy?
• Agree upon discipline methods
• Does the caregiver have full liability insurance?

Setting – Indoor

• Is the home clean, bright and well maintained?
• Is there space for safe, active play above ground?
• Is furniture free of sharp edges, splinters or pinch points?
• Is baby equipment in good repair and does it meet current standards?
• Are there safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairs?
• Are stairs well lit and do they have handrails?
• Are windows shatter resistant and inaccessible to climbing toddlers?
• Are all poisonous and hazardous materials locked away?
• Are plants nontoxic?
• Are all electrical, drapery, appliance cords fastened out of reach?
• Are electrical outlets covered?
• Are there working smoke detectors on each level?
• Are fire extinguishers available and serviced?
• Are workshop and laundry areas inaccessible to young children?

Setting – Outdoor

• Is the area fenced?
• Is the area free of hazardous material and plants?
• Are gardening tools and chemicals locked away?
• Is play equipment safe and in good repair?
• Is the sandbox covered and is the sand changed each year?

Sleeping

• Do young children sleep in a crib that meets standards as of October 1/86 or later?
• Are crib components in good condition?
• Is the crib or bed placed away from other furniture, windows, doors, and blind cords?

Meals

• Are menus, special diets and allergies posted?
• Are hard or round foods grated or cut into thin strips?
• Does the highchair have a safety strap and a wide stable base?
• Is highchair located away from appliances, windows, walls and other furniture?

Bathroom

• Is the hot water temperature set below 54°C?
• Are all medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products and appliances locked away?
• Are platforms or stools stable?

Toys

• Are all toys and play equipment age-appropriate?
• Are toys clean and in good repair?  The toy box lid should be spring-loaded. 
• Are toys stored on sturdy shelves?
• Are craft supplies safe and nontoxic?

Safety Behaviours

• Are safety straps on highchairs, change tables, etc. used every time?
• Walkers are dangerous and should not be used.
• Are children directly supervised when eating, being outdoors, in the bathroom and especially, when playing with toys with small parts?
• Is a properly installed, approved car seat used for outings?
• Are matches and lighters stored out of a child’s reach?
• Is there a separate diapering area, away from food?
• Is a regular maintenance check done on all child-related equipment and toys?

Emergency Procedures

• Does the caregiver have a current first aid certificate?
• Is the caregiver trained in infant CPR (updated yearly)?
• Is there a well-stocked, first aid kit accessible to adults but not the children?
• Are emergency numbers posted by each telephone?
• Are parent contact numbers posted?
• Is a fire drill practiced monthly?

Courtesy of "Child Safety Reference Manual"   

safety resources 

• Food Recalls
• Toy Recalls
• Information on child safety
• Safe Kids Canada
• ChildSafe Course
• Choosing and Using Child Safety Seats
• Children's Restraint Systems - Recalls and Notices
• A safe environment
• Safety when planning a garage sale

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The information on this page is provided by CYP-PHDC