A home daycare offers a more personal childcare option, but the home also comes with various injury risks for young children in your care. Setting rules and boundaries for the kids helps keep them safe while you care for them. Teach the children to follow basic safety rules and routines to make the precautions a habit from an early age.
Door Safety
For the safety of the children in your care, keep your home secure from people that shouldn't be there. Keep doors into your home locked during childcare hours. Establish a rule with children old enough to walk that they are not allowed to open the door, even if someone knocks or rings the doorbell. Teach them that only you or another caregiver is allowed to go near the doors when someone arrives. Ask parents for a list of approved people who are allowed to pick up their children to avoid any conflict.
Play Areas
Establish specific play areas within the home where daycare children are allowed. Keep these areas free of risks to the children, such as furniture that could tip over, sharp objects or uncovered electrical outlets. Teach the children that they need to stay in the specific areas. Establish rules for using the bathroom for older kids in your care. For example, create a rule that requires the kids to ask you before going to the bathroom. This reduces the risk of accidental drowning and helps avoid messes in the bathroom.
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen presents the biggest dangers for children in your care. Sharp objects and hot surfaces put the kids at risk for injury. Establish a rule requiring kids to stay out of the kitchen unless you specifically invite them in for a cooking project or to eat meals. Teach the kids safe routines in the kitchen, such as going directly to the table, not reaching for objects and staying away from the stove.
Sanitation
Keeping a clean, sanitary environment in your home is another aspect of keeping the children safe. While you are responsible for most of the sanitation and cleaning, older toddlers and children in your care are able to help out. Establish rules about washing hands before eating and after using the bathroom. Set rules about changing diapers and handling toileting accidents, such as a child wetting his pants.
Safety Plan
A safety plan is key in keeping the children safe. Plan for events like bad weather or a power outage to ensure you are able to handle the situation properly should it actually happen. Teach children the proper rules and procedures for those situations. For example, teach the children to sit quietly during an emergency situation so you are able to keep it under control.
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