Accreditation Health and Safety Standards

These standards are to be used as orientation to the Accreditation Process. All standards are in the Accreditation Manual with indicators that serve as evidence the standard is met.Programs considering pursuing accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission should enroll in Self-Study.

C1. The program maintains compliance with licensing standards and state and local regulations for health and safety of children in group settings.

C2. The program maintains current, confidential written records for each child.

C3.The program implements security measures for protection of children and staff.

C4. The program has a written policy regarding illness that is given to all parents.

C5. Parents are notified of accidents, illnesses and detection of parasites.

C6. The program has on file a health appraisal of each employee who has direct or indirect contact with children.

C7. Staff members receive training on CPR and first aid.

C8. All staff members receive training in standard precautions in handling exposure to blood and potential blood-containing body fluids and injury discharges.

C9. All staff members receive training in recognizing symptoms of child abuse and neglect and their responsibility for reporting.

C10. When the program agrees to administer medication, policies and procedures are written and implemented to protect the child, caregiver and program.

C11. When children are transported, the program meets safety requirements.

C12. When children are transported, written policies and procedures regarding transportation are followed.

C13. All areas used by children are well lit, ventilated, and maintained at a comfortable temperature.

C14. The administrator has a child care health consultant who reviews and makes recommendations on program health practices.

C15. Effective sanitation procedures are consistently practiced.

C16. The playground meets CPSC safety guidelines and is maintained.

C17. The playground space is designed to accommodate the developmental needs of the children using them.

C18. Undiluted chemicals, cleaning supplies, and toxic materials are safely stored.

C19. The program has made preparation for emergencies.

C20. The Center has a written plan for dealing with medical emergencies.

C21. When program prepares food on-site, all required local health and sanitary requirements are met.

C22. Meals and snacks meet the nutritional needs of children, are properly prepared and stored.

C23. and C24. Staff-Child Ratios and Group Sizes:

C25. Continuity of care: children are not shifted from one group to another during the day to maintain staff-child ratios and children are assigned to another group no more than one time per year.