ProEves in partnership with Safe Baby conducted daycare audits for over 100 leading daycare centres. These audits were sponsored by top companies to ensure that children of their employees are in safe daycares. Based on the audits, we would like to share few observations that came up consistently in audits. As a parent do watch out for these while selecting a daycare for your child.
- Finger pinching hazard: Door corners at lock side & hinge side should be checked so that if by mistake also a child is keeping his fingers, it should be safe.
- Entry and access point: there should be a security guard or a controlled, access entry to restrict the entry/exit of unauthorized people inside premises.
- Barrier to kitchen : None of the kids should be allowed inside kitchen.
- Surveillance: Functioning & monitoring of CCTV is must in daycares.
- Poking & choking hazard: Sharp edged furniture/toys, small toys, beads, toys with strings and threads should not be kept inside the dyacare.
- Things at a certain height: Electrical outlet and latches should be out of reach from children.
- A proper emergency evacuation plan with mock drill conducted periodically is important.
- Well trained staff with medical checks & background checks in place.
- POSCO training of all staff in their regional/comfortable language so that they can understand & act according to the situation.
- A well maintained child : teacher ratio is important to be retained to keep so that no child is left alone.
- Regular sanitation and cleanliness of the place and toys should be Done every week.
With regular audits and enhancement of daycare infrastructure and safety measures; we are confident that the daycare ecosystem will improve in the country.