Tip: Print or save this checklist to your phone and bring it on tours. Check off items as you observe them.
Security
- □Secure entry (locked door, buzzer/keypad, staff-controlled access)
- □Sign-in/sign-out procedure with ID verification
- □Authorized pickup list maintained
- □Visitors must check in and wear identification
- □Outdoor play area is fenced and gated
- □Children are supervised during all transitions
Emergency Preparedness
- □Smoke detectors in every room (tested monthly)
- □Fire extinguishers accessible and current
- □Carbon monoxide detectors installed
- □Emergency evacuation plan posted
- □Fire drills conducted monthly (ask for records)
- □Lockdown/shelter-in-place procedures in place
- □First aid kits stocked and accessible
- □Emergency contact info for all children on file
Indoor Hazards
- □Outlets covered or tamper-resistant
- □Cleaning supplies, medications locked away
- □No choking hazards accessible (small toys, coins)
- □Furniture anchored to walls
- □No dangling cords (blinds, electronics)
- □Stairs gated (if applicable)
- □Sharp corners padded on furniture
- □Floor is clean and in good repair (no tripping hazards)
Safe Sleep (Infants)
- □Infants sleep on backs in separate cribs
- □Cribs have firm mattresses with fitted sheets only
- □No blankets, pillows, toys, bumpers in cribs
- □Sleep area is within sight of caregivers
- □Babies are checked regularly during sleep
- □Staff trained in safe sleep practices
Outdoor Safety
- □Playground equipment age-appropriate
- □Soft surfacing under equipment (mulch, rubber)
- □Equipment in good repair (no sharp edges, broken parts)
- □Shaded areas available
- □Area free of hazards (broken glass, animal waste)
- □Water features secured or inaccessible
Health & Hygiene
- □Facility is clean and well-maintained
- □Handwashing sinks accessible to children
- □Staff wash hands frequently (after diapering, before food)
- □Diapering area is separate from food areas
- □Diapering surface sanitized after each change
- □Sick child policy enforced
- □Kitchen/food prep area clean and organized
- □Food stored properly (refrigerated, labeled, dated)
Staff Safety Practices
- □All staff have passed background checks
- □All staff CPR and first aid certified
- □Proper child-to-staff ratios maintained
- □Children are supervised at all times
- □Staff know individual children's allergies
- □Medication administration procedures followed
No Daycare Is Perfect
You may not be able to observe everything on this list during a single tour. Focus on major safety items and how staff respond to your questions. Transparency and genuine care matter as much as checking every box.
Understanding State Licensing Requirements
Every licensed daycare must meet minimum state safety requirements. However, these minimums vary significantly by state. Understanding your state's requirements helps you evaluate whether a center exceeds the baseline or just meets it.
License Verification
Before your tour, verify the center's license online through your state's licensing agency website. This shows you their license status, capacity limits, and any recent violations. During the tour, the license should be displayed prominently. If you can't find it, ask to see it.
Inspection Reports
State licensing agencies conduct regular inspections and document findings. These reports are usually public record. Review them before your tour to identify any patterns of violations. One minor violation may not matter, but repeated safety issues are concerning.
Beyond Minimum Requirements
The best centers exceed minimum requirements. Ask what they do above and beyond licensing minimums. NAEYC accreditation, for example, requires higher standards than most state licenses. Quality indicators include better-than-required ratios, more staff training, and additional safety measures.
Critical Safety Items: Non-Negotiables
While no daycare is perfect, some safety issues should be absolute deal-breakers. If you observe any of these during your tour, proceed with extreme caution or walk away:
Immediate Deal-Breakers
- • Missing or expired license
- • Unlocked doors allowing open access
- • Unsupervised children
- • Cleaning chemicals accessible to children
- • Broken playground equipment in use
- • Infants sleeping with loose bedding
- • Strong chemical or urine odors
Serious Concerns
- • No visible emergency procedures
- • Staff unable to state child ratios
- • Cluttered or chaotic environments
- • Defensive responses to safety questions
- • No CPR/First Aid certifications visible
- • Fencing gaps or broken gates
- • Water hazards without barriers
Safety Questions to Ask During Your Tour
Don't just observe—ask direct questions. How staff respond to safety inquiries tells you a lot about their culture and priorities.
Emergency Preparedness
- • How often do you conduct fire drills? Can I see your records?
- • What's your lockdown procedure if there's a threat?
- • How do you handle severe weather emergencies?
- • Where do children go during evacuation?
- • How would you contact me in an emergency?
Staff Training
- • Are all staff CPR and First Aid certified?
- • What training do new staff receive?
- • How do you handle staff background checks?
- • What ongoing safety training does staff receive?
Health and Safety Policies
- • What's your sick child policy?
- • How do you handle medication administration?
- • How are allergies managed and communicated?
- • What sanitization protocols do you follow?
Age-Specific Safety Considerations
Infant Safety (0-12 months)
Infants have unique safety needs. Focus on these critical areas:
- • Safe sleep: Back to sleep, firm mattress, nothing in crib
- • Feeding: Proper formula storage, supervised bottle feeding
- • Supervision: Constant supervision, no propped bottles
- • Safe equipment: Current cribs meeting CPSC standards
- • Tummy time: Supervised floor time for development
Toddler Safety (1-3 years)
Toddlers are mobile and curious—a dangerous combination. Watch for:
- • Choking hazards: No small objects, appropriate food sizes
- • Climbing risks: Furniture secured, no accessible heights
- • Outdoor safety: Enclosed play areas, age-appropriate equipment
- • Bathroom safety: Supervised bathroom use, water temperature controls
- • Transition safety: Proper supervision during room changes
Preschool Safety (3-5 years)
Preschoolers are more independent but still need protection:
- • Playground safety: Equipment sized for preschoolers, soft landing surfaces
- • Art supply safety: Non-toxic materials, supervised use of scissors
- • Field trip safety: Proper ratios, transportation safety, permission systems
- • Social safety: Supervision for peer interactions, bullying prevention
- • Building evacuation: Children can follow emergency procedures
Transportation Safety
If the daycare provides transportation for field trips or school pickups, verify these safety standards:
Ongoing Safety Monitoring
Your safety evaluation shouldn't end after enrollment. Continue to monitor safety throughout your child's time at the daycare.
Daily Observation
During drop-off and pickup, scan the environment. Are doors being properly secured? Are ratios appropriate? Is the playground clear of hazards? Regular observation helps you catch issues early.
Unannounced Visits
You have the right to visit unannounced during operating hours. Occasional surprise visits give you an accurate picture of daily operations. Centers that discourage this should raise concern.
Talk to Your Child
Even young children can share information about their day. Ask open-ended questions like "What did you play with today?" or "Tell me about your teachers." Pay attention to any behavior changes or reluctance.
Stay Connected
Build relationships with teachers and other parents. They can alert you to concerns. Participate in parent meetings where safety topics are often discussed. Review any incident reports promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between licensed and unlicensed daycare?
Licensed daycares meet state-mandated safety requirements, undergo regular inspections, and maintain staff qualifications. Unlicensed care (often informal family arrangements) has no oversight. Some states allow certain small home daycares to operate without license under specific conditions. Always verify license status—licensing protects your child.
How do I report safety concerns at a daycare?
First, raise concerns with the center director. If not resolved, contact your state's childcare licensing agency—they investigate complaints. For immediate danger, call 911. You can usually file complaints anonymously. Document specific incidents with dates, times, and descriptions before reporting.
Should I request to see background check documentation?
Centers are legally required to conduct background checks on staff. You can ask about their process and whether checks are current. You typically can't see individual results due to privacy laws, but the center should confirm that all staff have passed. If they can't or won't confirm, that's concerning.
How often should daycares conduct fire drills?
Most states require monthly fire drills. Ask to see their drill log with dates and times. The center should also conduct periodic lockdown drills and severe weather drills. Staff should be able to explain evacuation procedures clearly. If they seem unsure, it's a concern.
What safety certifications should daycare staff have?
At minimum, lead teachers should have CPR and First Aid certification for children. Many states require infant CPR specifically for infant room staff. Additional valuable certifications include safe sleep training, child abuse recognition, and medication administration. Certifications must be renewed regularly—ask about expiration dates.
Are cameras in daycare classrooms a good sign?
Cameras can add transparency and accountability. Some parents value the ability to check in during the day. However, cameras don't replace proper supervision and shouldn't be the primary safety measure. A camera-equipped center with poor practices is less safe than a camera-free center with excellent supervision.
What should I do if I observe a safety violation?
For minor issues, speak with teachers or directors—it may be a one-time oversight. For serious or repeated issues, document what you observed and report to the licensing agency. If a child is in immediate danger, intervene directly and call appropriate authorities. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, act on it.
How do I evaluate playground equipment safety?
Look for soft surfaces under equipment (rubber, mulch, sand), proper fall zones without obstacles, age-appropriate equipment heights, secure handrails and barriers, no entrapment hazards (spaces where heads could get stuck), and regular maintenance. Equipment should meet CPSC guidelines. If equipment looks worn or broken, ask about their maintenance schedule.
What's a reasonable sick child policy?
Good policies balance preventing illness spread with practical parent needs. Fever-free for 24 hours without medication, no vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours, and antibiotic treatment for 24 hours for contagious conditions are common standards. The policy should be clear and consistently enforced. Ask how they handle borderline cases.
How can I check a daycare's safety record?
Search your state's childcare licensing website for the center's inspection history and complaint records. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Search local news for any incidents. Ask other parents about their experiences. Join local parent groups where safety concerns are often discussed.
The Bottom Line
Safety is the foundation of quality childcare. While you can't observe everything during one tour, this checklist helps you evaluate the most critical safety elements. Remember:
- •Verify licensing and review inspection reports before touring
- •Some safety issues are absolute deal-breakers—trust your instincts
- •Ask direct questions and observe how staff respond
- •Look for centers that exceed minimum requirements
- •Continue monitoring safety after enrollment
The best daycares take pride in their safety practices and welcome questions. A center that becomes defensive when asked about safety is showing you something important. Choose a place where your child's safety is truly the top priority—and where that shows in every aspect of their operation.