Before granting a license, authorities from the Health Department, the Department of Fire Services and the Department of Buildings inspect the preschool and certify if the building meets all safety regulations. The institution must renew the license every two years and display it on the premises. The school also has to meet the minimum teacher training standards as specified by the government.
Not only the preschool’s classroom, but also the playground has to comply with certain safety regulations. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association, there are some safety hazards that can exist in any playground. Improper protective surfacing, protruding hardware, entrance of a slide, lack of sufficient spacing in between two pieces of equipment, exposed tree roots, stumps and rocks can hurt and raise safety concerns. Lack of supervision and maintenance would aggravate these safety issues. The playground should be free of any such hazards.
The staff requirements for preschools and day care centers vary from state to state. Preschool staff in Texas, for instance, must be 18 years old or more and possess a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. In Maryland, staff should be at least 20 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent degree) and have a record of at least six semester hours or 90 hours of approved training. The requirements also specify the ratio of students for every teacher or provider employed by the institution. The management must carry out background checks on all prospective staff members before hiring them and employ no individuals with history of sexual abuse convictions, child abuse or any other crimes.
There are several organizations that provide accreditation for preschools in the United States: Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Association of Christian Schools International, the American Montessori Society and Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation. These organizations require all new childcare centers to meet the minimum state requirements in order to be accredited. The process includes application, self-study and scrutiny by professionals from outside the institution.