| you manage a daycare, it is important to choose | | | | American-made, brand name daycare supplies |
| daycare furniture and daycare supplies that are | | | | whenever possible. This especially holds true for art |
| designed to keep children safe - while making your job | | | | supplies such as paints and play dough. |
| easier. | | | | Cheaply made toys and games present other |
| Daycare Furniture: Safety Considerations | | | | concerns. Small, easily broken plastic parts can be |
| Keeping in mind the old adage that prevention is the | | | | dangerous to young children. A good rule of thumb is |
| best cure, choose daycare furniture with your children | | | | not to purchase any daycare supplies with parts small |
| in mind. Purchase the proper height tables and chairs | | | | enough to be put in a child's mouth. Wooden blocks, |
| so that getting up and down from the table is safe and | | | | toys and puzzles are often the best choice in daycare |
| easy for your children. Avoid furniture with sharp | | | | supplies because they are safe, sturdy and will last a |
| edges and corners; rounded edges are best and will | | | | long time. |
| prevent many accidents. | | | | Other daycare supplies to consider are cleaning |
| Slippery floors can also be an avoidable issue. The | | | | supplies. While it is important to clean and disinfect all |
| best flooring for a daycare center is carpeting. If you | | | | areas of the daycare, including toys and games, on a |
| have hardwood floors or tile, cover it with non-slip area | | | | regular basis, avoid cleaning supplies made with harsh |
| rugs to protect children when they fall. The rugs will | | | | or toxic chemicals. |
| also provide a warm, soft place to play. | | | | Daycare Safety Plan |
| Book shelves and toy shelves are essential daycare | | | | The emergency safety plan is a critical component to |
| furniture, as they provide for organization and create | | | | keeping your students safe. While a first-aid kit is a |
| more space within the room. However, they can also | | | | good place to start, you need to create a plan in case |
| be hazardous if you have children in your daycare | | | | of an emergency, such as a natural disaster or fire. |
| who like to climb. Avoid this issue by only using shelves | | | | Once you have a plan, communicate it to the families |
| that are about the same height as most of the children | | | | served by your daycare. |
| in your care, and be certain that all shelves are | | | | Another important safety measure is to conduct |
| secured to the wall behind them. | | | | background checks on every individual you employ, |
| Another consideration when choosing daycare | | | | including yourself. This will give you and the families you |
| furniture is how well the furniture is constructed and | | | | serve peace of mind. |
| what types of materials were used. In general, avoid | | | | In addition, be wary of strangers coming to pick up a |
| using painted furniture or furniture made from pressed | | | | child from your daycare. Be prepared to place a |
| board that is known to off-gas such as mdf. In addition, | | | | phone call to a parent and demand photo ID if the |
| periodically check all daycare furniture for loose | | | | person picking up a child is unfamiliar to you. It's always |
| screws, protruding nails and splintering wood. | | | | better to be safe than sorry when children are |
| Daycare Supplies: Important Details | | | | concerned. |
| When picking out daycare supplies such as toys and | | | | These tips are a simple, yet helpful guide for daycare |
| games, keep the safety of the children foremost in | | | | providers when choosing daycare furniture and |
| your mind. Avoid childcare supplies that are made | | | | daycare supplies, as well as developing safety |
| cheaply and don't contain a list of ingredients. Purchase | | | | guidelines and emergency plans. |