Child Care Safety

The safety of every child is of primary importance to us, therefore the following policies have been developed to encourage and provide the safest environment possible.

Child Care Safety - Child Abuse

Child Care Safety

Our love of children prompts us to help provide the best possible life experiences for them. We have been trained to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, and are required by law to report to Social Services any suspected abuse or neglect of any child we care for. Substitute and/or additional caregivers have also been trained to recognize signs of abuse and neglect, and are also required to report suspected abuse or neglect to Social Services. Training in child abuse and neglect is renewed at least every two years.

Child Care Safety - CPR/AED

We have been certified in infant, child and adult CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and renew our certification regularly to keep it current. Substitutes and additional caregivers have received CPR training.

Child Care Safety - Emergency Care

In the event that an emergency requires Amy to leave the center, we will arrange for emergency supervision. This emergency caregiver will be experienced in caring for children, familiar with our policies, and able to arrive within 5 minutes of notification. Each emergency provider will receive an orientation following the state required orientation form, and will sign that each area on the form was covered.

Child Care Safety - Environment

We make every effort to maintain an environment that is childproofed and safe for your child according to Wisconsin licensing regulations. This includes the use of outlet covers, cupboard latches, doorknob covers, baby gates, safe storage of hazardous materials, and the like. In addition, no person whose behavior gives reasonable concern for the safety of the children will be allowed on the premises.

Child Care Safety - Evacuation

In case of an emergency that requires evacuation, we will assist the children to exit through the child care entrance/exit. If that door is blocked we will exit through the front door, and failing that, through the side door. In any case we will gather on the sidewalk square next to the tree in the front yard. To ensure that all children are accounted for the sign-in and attendance forms will be brought along. After taking attendance, the children will be moved to a safe location as necessary. The first aid kit, a cordless phone, and the list of parent phone numbers and emergency contact information will also be taken with us. All families will be notified as necessary.

Child Care Safety - Fire and Tornado Drills

Being prepared for emergencies helps the children to feel less frightened if one were to occur. We conduct fire drills monthly and tornado drills routinely during tornado season. Each drill is recorded in a safety log.

Child Care Safety - First Aid

Amy has been certified in First Aid, and renews her certification regularly. Substitutes and additional caregivers have also received First Aid training.

Child Care Safety - Injury

Child Care Safety - Doctor Active children accumulate bumps, bruises, scratches and scrapes often through active play. Licensing rules require that each child be observed for signs of injury upon arrival, and unusual injuries be recorded in the medical log. Minor injuries will be treated with soap and water, a Band-Aid, ice as needed, and lots of TLC. All injuries requiring treatment are logged in a medical journal; parents have access to medical log entries concerning their child. If a serious injury, including a head injury, occurs we will call 911 and the child requiring emergency care will be transported by ambulance to Appleton Medical Center. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible after calling 911. If a parent cannot be reached immediately the emergency contact person on the enrollment form will be notified. Payment of any bills or charges incurred from the ambulance and/or other medical care is the responsibility of the parent. Licensing rules require that any injuries requiring professional medical attention be recorded on an Injury Report form, with one copy sent to our licensing specialist and the other copy placed in the child's file.

Child Care Safety - Loss of Services

If the center loses the use of heat, water or electricity at any time during the day, we will evaluate the situation to see whether care can be provided without undue loss of quality. If safe, quality care cannot be provided under the circumstances, we will notify each family and payment for days that the center is closed due to loss of services will be credited to your account. The center will remain closed until safe, quality care can be provided.

Child Care Safety - Missing Child

In order to keep each of the children safe, no child is ever left alone and children are accounted for at all times. If a child would become lost, we will quickly check all areas of the center and property. If the child cannot be found, the police will be called immediately, and then the child's parents or emergency contact person will be notified.

Child Care Safety - Other Emergencies

In the event of a tornado or severe thunderstorm we will assist the children to the basement where we will listen for the all clear' signal. Blankets, flashlight, a radio, and batteries for both are kept in the basement at all times. To ensure that all children are accounted for the sign-in and attendance forms will be brought along; the cordless phone and first aid kit will also be taken.

Child Care Safety - "Ouch" Report

An "Ouch" Report will be filled out for any injuries requiring treatment. After both parent and provider sign the report, one copy will be given to the parent to take home and the other copy will be placed in the child's file.

Child Care Safety - Safe Release

Child Care Safety - Security

In order to keep your child safe, we will only release a child to his/her parents and to persons listed on the enrollment form. If anyone other than the child's parent or a person listed on the enrollment form is to pick up a child, we need to be notified in advance in writing or by a phone call. The person will be required to show a picture ID before he or she is allowed to pick up the child.

Child Care Safety - Safe Transport

When children are dropped off and picked up, they need to be transported safely. Use of drugs or alcohol or the lack of use of an appropriate car seat can create an unsafe transportation situation for children. If it is our opinion that the child cannot be safely transported we will take reasonable steps to encourage safe transportation, including offering to call a cab or another contact person. While we cannot keep a child from a parent or legal guardian, we will not hesitate to call the local authorities if we feel the child is in danger. Substitute and/or additional caregivers are also required to follow these guidelines.

Child Care Safety - Security

To ensure the safety of our children and their caregivers, precautionary measures against unwanted intruders and children leaving the center un-escorted have been put into place. The most important step to avoid unwanted intruders is to have only one access to the center, therefore the front and side doors are kept locked at all times and if inner doors are open the screen doors will be locked or hooked. Because the child care entrance is out of sight and visitors must pass by the entire length of the house to access that door, it will generally be left open. To ensure that children remain inside the center the front screen door is hooked shut above the reach of the children at all times, in addition to the inner door being locked when it is closed. The side door is not accessible to the children, but also has a screen door that is kept locked when the inner door is open. The child care entrance door has a childproof doorknob cover, and when the inner door is open the screen door will be hooked shut above the reach of the children. If the child care door is locked or hooked shut when you arrive please knock instead of ringing the doorbell as the doorbell startles the children.