Back to School - Part II

In our September newsletter, we began a conversation about protecting the youngest members of our congregation by reviewing the day-to-day operations of our insured’s preschool, daycare or nursery. In this newsletter, we will continue the discussion with additional points to consider when addressing the safety of such operations.

• Does the insured have a clear plan of action in place for an environmental event, medical emergency or allegation of inappropriate conduct?
• Have all members of the child care team been adequately trained on such procedures?

• Does appropriate and safe turf exist in the playground area and around the playground equipment, and is the playground area fenced in?
• Has the playground equipment been inspected for proper safety and function?
• Do field trips and other special events have the proper parental consent and staff supervision?

• Are all chemicals, medications and first aid supplies properly stored and out of the reach of little hands?
• Are proper food storage, food preparation and other sanitation guidelines in place?
• Have all toys, cribs, high chairs, changing tables, etc. been inspected for cleanliness and safety? Often congregations receive generous donations of these items.  A careful inspection is required to make sure these donations meet current safety guidelines and are not a part a manufacturer’s recall.