Minimum Standards for Tribal Child Care: A Health and Safety Guide
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Section II:
Building and Premises
Safe Environment
Principle
Healthy children require a safe physical environment in which to eat, sleep, and play.
Why This Is Important
- A well-designed environment within a clean and well-maintained facility supports each child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
- Proper attention to the issues of safety and sanitation protects the health of children and caregivers and prevents injuries.
Standards
The building interior and exterior should be maintained as follows:
- Guidelines should be developed to assure child care settings are safe, and meet tribal, state, or local fire and safety regulations.
- The caregiver should follow tribal, state, or local guidelines regarding the installation and appropriate use of smoke detectors.
- Smoke detectors and other devices should meet the tribal, state, or local standards.
- Usable space, equipment, and exit arrangements should be adequate for the number, ages, and abilities of the children.
- Indoor and outdoor play areas should be checked for hazards daily and prior to their use by children.
- Paint on both interior and exterior premises should be free from hazardous quantities of lead. It is recommended that tribal programs seek assistance in assessing lead paint levels by contacting the Indian Health Service, tribal sanitarian, or local lead paint assessor who is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- A plan should be in place to ensure routine maintenance, and sanitation procedures should be followed to keep the building clean, sound, and in good repair.
- Sufficient heating and cooling should be provided within the facility to maintain a temperature that will not cause harm to the children.
- Ventilation should be provided to prevent the accumulation of harmful odors and fumes.
Access and exposure to hazardous materials should be prevented as follows:
- Poisons, toxic materials, cleaning supplies, sharp or pointed objects, plastic bags, matches, flammable liquids, drugs of any kind, insecticides, and other hazardous materials should be inaccessible to children at all times. Hazardous materials should be properly stored in labeled containers which, if appropriate, should be locked.
- Guns should be equipped with child protective devices and kept under lock and key and separate from ammunition.
- Ponds, pools, stock tanks, or permanently standing water should be enclosed with a fence, or otherwise safeguarded to ensure that they can not be accessed by children. When children are engaged in water play activities, constant supervision should be required.
- Electrical outlets accessible to children should be covered with child resistant safety plugs.
- Smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs should be prohibited on the premises when children are present. Alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs of any kind should be inaccessible to children at all times.
| NOTE: In child care centers, smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs should be prohibited on the premises AT ALL TIMES. |
- Persons under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs should not be allowed in the child care setting.
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