Cleaning regulations are one of the most important areas of any child care center. Every day all toys and surfaces should be sanitized and cleaned. Bathrooms should be cleaned several times a day. The bathrooms should have single-use papers and soaps for sanitary reasons. The floor should be swept or mopped at least once a day and after every spill. Bedding and other upholstery items that children use should be cleaned every day.
General safety includes emergency procedures and daily safety precautions. All toxic materials and cleaning supplies should be kept out of children's reach. Electrical outlets should be covered when not in use. An emergency plan for natural disasters and fires should be in place and clearly marked. Exits should be marked. The facility should have a clear disaster plan for every situation and perform emergency drills at least once a month.
All staff should be qualified and licensed to perform the tasks that they do each day. The staff should be friendly and never harsh or violent to the children. The staff should have access to children's medical records and any allergies to provide the best care possible. The ratio of staff to children should meet state and county regulations. Staff should have background, criminal and drug tests before starting work at the care center for the safety of the children.
The refrigerator temperature should never reach above 4 degrees Celsius. The play areas should be large enough to accommodate children safely. Children should only play with age-appropriate toys. A first-aid kit is necessary to provide medical assistance when necessary. The facility should have an adequate number of sinks, toilets and other sanitary equipment for the number of children at the facility. Food storage and feeding must be conducted in a sanitary and safe manner, according to the age of the child and any known allergies.