Comprehensive Daycare Safety Checklist 2026: A Parent's Complete Guide

Safety is the foundation of quality childcare—before considering curriculum, philosophy, or convenience, you need to know your child will be protected. This comprehensive safety checklist helps you evaluate every aspect of daycare safety, from physical environment to emergency preparedness to daily health protocols.

This guide provides a complete daycare safety checklist for 2026: what to look for during tours, questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and how to verify that a program prioritizes child safety above all else.

Table of Contents

• Physical Environment Safety
• Indoor Safety
• Outdoor Safety
• Health and Hygiene
• Emergency Preparedness
• Staff Safety Practices
• Security Measures

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Physical Environment Safety

The building and grounds.

Building Safety

Check for: | Area | What to Look For | |------|------------------| | Structure | Good repair, no hazards | | Cleanliness | Well-maintained, clean | | Lighting | Adequate throughout | | Ventilation | Fresh air, not stuffy | | Temperature | Comfortable, controlled |

Fire Safety

Essential elements:

• [ ] Working smoke detectors
• [ ] Fire extinguishers (visible, current)
• [ ] Clearly marked exits
• [ ] Unobstructed exit paths
• [ ] Posted evacuation routes
• [ ] Regular fire drills

General Building

Look for:

• [ ] No peeling paint (lead concerns in older buildings)
• [ ] No exposed wires or outlets
• [ ] No damaged flooring
• [ ] No broken windows
• [ ] No water damage or mold signs
• [ ] Proper lighting in all areas

Accessibility

Important for safety:

• Clear pathways
• Ramps if needed
• Accessible restrooms
• Emergency access
• ADA compliance

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Indoor Safety

Classroom and common areas.

Classroom Environment

Safety elements: | Area | Requirements | |------|--------------| | Outlets | Covered or tamper-proof | | Furniture | Sturdy, anchored if tall | | Corners | Rounded or padded | | Floors | Non-slip, clean | | Windows | Secure, cord-free blinds |

Choking Hazards

For infant/toddler rooms:

• [ ] No small objects accessible
• [ ] Toys age-appropriate
• [ ] No broken toys
• [ ] Regular toy inspection
• [ ] Food cut appropriately

Furniture Safety

Check that:

• [ ] Heavy furniture is anchored
• [ ] No sharp edges
• [ ] Sturdy construction
• [ ] Age-appropriate size
• [ ] Recalled items removed

Storage Safety

Dangerous items secured:

• [ ] Cleaning supplies locked
• [ ] Medications locked
• [ ] Art supplies monitored
• [ ] Sharp objects inaccessible
• [ ] Chemicals stored safely

Sleep Area Safety

For napping:

• [ ] Cribs meet current standards
• [ ] Nothing in cribs (infants)
• [ ] Cots clean and maintained
• [ ] Adequate supervision
• [ ] Safe sleep policies followed

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Outdoor Safety

Playground and outdoor areas.

Playground Equipment

Safety requirements:

• [ ] Age-appropriate equipment
• [ ] Proper height limits
• [ ] No entrapment hazards
• [ ] Equipment in good repair
• [ ] Properly anchored
• [ ] Regular inspections

Surfacing

Ground safety: | Surface Type | Adequate? | |--------------|-----------| | Rubber mulch | Yes | | Wood chips | Yes (9"+ deep) | | Rubber tiles | Yes | | Poured rubber | Yes | | Concrete | NO | | Grass alone | Usually no |

Fencing and Boundaries

Security elements:

• [ ] Fully enclosed area
• [ ] Self-closing gates
• [ ] Child-proof latches
• [ ] No gaps in fencing
• [ ] Adequate height
• [ ] No climbing footholds

Outdoor Hazards

Should be addressed:

• [ ] No poisonous plants
• [ ] No standing water
• [ ] No broken equipment
• [ ] No sharp edges
• [ ] No exposed roots/holes
• [ ] No access to street

Sun and Weather

Protection provided:

• [ ] Shade structures
• [ ] Sunscreen policy
• [ ] Heat protocols
• [ ] Weather safety rules
• [ ] Hydration access

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Health and Hygiene

Preventing illness spread.

Handwashing

Proper practices:

• [ ] Sinks accessible to children
• [ ] Soap and towels available
• [ ] Handwashing schedule (before meals, after bathroom, etc.)
• [ ] Staff model good hygiene
• [ ] Posted procedures

Diapering

Safe diapering: | Requirement | Check | |-------------|-------| | Dedicated diaper area | ✓ | | Sanitized after each use | ✓ | | Gloves available | ✓ | | Proper waste disposal | ✓ | | Handwashing nearby | ✓ |

Food Safety

Kitchen and meals:

• [ ] Clean food prep areas
• [ ] Proper food storage
• [ ] Temperature control
• [ ] Allergy protocols
• [ ] No cross-contamination

Illness Policies

Health protection:

• [ ] Clear illness policy
• [ ] Sick children excluded
• [ ] Parent notification
• [ ] Isolation area for newly sick
• [ ] Cleaning after illness

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Regular cleaning:

• [ ] Daily cleaning schedule
• [ ] Toys sanitized regularly
• [ ] Surfaces disinfected
• [ ] Proper cleaning products
• [ ] Deep cleaning scheduled

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Emergency Preparedness

Ready for anything.

Emergency Plans

Should have plans for:

• [ ] Fire
• [ ] Natural disasters (tornado, earthquake, hurricane)
• [ ] Lockdown
• [ ] Medical emergencies
• [ ] Missing child
• [ ] Power outage

Emergency Drills

Practice requirements: | Drill Type | Frequency | |------------|-----------| | Fire | Monthly | | Tornado/disaster | Quarterly (seasonal) | | Lockdown | Annually minimum | | Full evacuation | Annually |

First Aid

Essential elements:

• [ ] Stocked first aid kits
• [ ] Easily accessible
• [ ] Staff trained in first aid
• [ ] CPR trained staff
• [ ] AED on site (ideal)

Emergency Information

Readily available:

• [ ] Emergency contacts for all children
• [ ] Medical information
• [ ] Allergy lists
• [ ] Emergency action plans
• [ ] Authorization for emergency care

Communication Plan

How families notified:

• [ ] Contact tree or system
• [ ] Multiple contact methods
• [ ] Backup communication
• [ ] Reunification plan
• [ ] Regular updates during emergency

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Staff Safety Practices

Personnel and supervision.

Background Checks

All staff should have:

• [ ] Criminal background check
• [ ] Sex offender registry check
• [ ] Child abuse registry check
• [ ] Reference checks
• [ ] Regular updates

Training Requirements

Staff should be trained in: | Training | Requirement | |----------|-------------| | CPR | Current certification | | First Aid | Current certification | | Safe sleep | For infant caregivers | | Medication administration | If administering | | Emergency procedures | All staff |

Supervision

Adequate supervision means:

• [ ] Appropriate ratios maintained
• [ ] Active supervision (not sitting)
• [ ] All children in view
• [ ] Head counts regularly
• [ ] No unsupervised time

Child Abuse Prevention

Prevention practices:

• [ ] Open door policy
• [ ] No one-on-one alone
• [ ] Diaper changing visible
• [ ] Bathroom privacy with safety
• [ ] Staff training on prevention

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Security Measures

Protecting against outside threats.

Building Security

Access control: | Feature | Present? | |---------|----------| | Locked doors | ✓ | | Visitor sign-in | ✓ | | ID verification | ✓ | | Key code or buzzers | ✓ | | Cameras (optional) | ✓/✗ |

Pick-Up Procedures

Safe release:

• [ ] Authorized pick-up list
• [ ] ID required
• [ ] Password or code system
• [ ] Refusal if not authorized
• [ ] Parent notification

Visitor Policy

Managing visitors:

• [ ] All visitors sign in
• [ ] Photo ID checked
• [ ] Escort required
• [ ] Visitor badges
• [ ] Staff awareness

Threat Assessment

Prepared for:

• [ ] Active threat training
• [ ] Lockdown capability
• [ ] Communication system
• [ ] Law enforcement relationship
• [ ] Annual review of security

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Questions to Ask

About Safety Practices

1. "What are your ratios throughout the day?"
2. "What background checks do you conduct?"
3. "What safety training do staff receive?"
4. "How often do you do fire drills?"
5. "What's your emergency plan?"

About Health and Hygiene

1. "What's your illness policy?"
2. "How often are toys sanitized?"
3. "How do you handle allergies?"
4. "What's your handwashing policy?"
5. "How do you handle medication?"

About Security

1. "How is the building secured?"
2. "What's your pick-up procedure?"
3. "How do you verify authorized adults?"
4. "What happens in a lockdown?"
5. "Can I see your emergency plan?"

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Complete Safety Checklist

Physical Safety

• [ ] Building in good repair
• [ ] Fire safety equipment present
• [ ] Smoke detectors working
• [ ] Exits clearly marked
• [ ] No obvious hazards
• [ ] Clean and well-maintained

Indoor Safety

• [ ] Outlets covered
• [ ] Furniture safe and stable
• [ ] No choking hazards (age-appropriate)
• [ ] Cleaning supplies locked
• [ ] Safe sleep practices

Outdoor Safety

• [ ] Playground age-appropriate
• [ ] Proper surfacing
• [ ] Fully fenced
• [ ] Equipment in good repair
• [ ] Shade available

Health and Hygiene

• [ ] Handwashing practiced
• [ ] Clean diapering
• [ ] Food safety followed
• [ ] Illness policy in place
• [ ] Regular cleaning

Emergency Preparedness

• [ ] Emergency plans exist
• [ ] Regular drills conducted
• [ ] First aid kits stocked
• [ ] Staff CPR certified
• [ ] Emergency contacts current

Staff and Security

• [ ] Background checks completed
• [ ] Proper training
• [ ] Adequate supervision
• [ ] Secure building access
• [ ] Safe pick-up procedures

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Red Flags to Watch For

Immediate Concerns

• Obvious safety hazards ignored
• Staff not supervising children
• Unsecured building access
• Missing safety equipment
• Poor sanitation
• Defensive about safety questions

Should Ask More

• Unclear on emergency procedures
• Vague about background checks
• Can't explain ratios
• No documentation available
• Reluctant to show all areas

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Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Daycare Licensing Guide
• Daycare Playground Safety
• Questions to Ask Daycare Providers

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Last updated: December 2025