**New** Crib Safety Standards for Child Care Programs
Beginning December 28, 2012, any crib provided by child care facilities and family child care homes must meet new and improved federal safety standards. The new standards take effect for manufacturers, retailers, importers and distributors on June 28, 2011, addressing deadly hazards previously seen with traditional drop-side rails, requiring more durable hardware and parts and mandating more rigorous testing.

Information for child care programs about crib safety standards
A Child Care Providers Guide to Safe Sleep from the American Academy of Pediatrics
A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Children Immunizations
Programs are required to keep a record of each child’s immunizations. Children shall be immunized appropriately for their age, unless they have religious, philosophical or medical exceptions. The record should be a copy of the child’s immunization record from the physican’s office. If the child is exempt then an exemption form needs to be kept on file.

Inclusion/Exclusion Guidelines for Child Care
Learn more about guidelines for including or excluding children in your program when they are sick.

Administering medication
Prior to administering any medication to children, providers need to have permission from the parent. Please refer to the child care regulations about specific requirements for administering medication. Sample permission to administer medication form.

Diaper Changing Procedure
Staff shall follow a step-by-step diaper changing procedure such as Guidelines for Diapering. The procedure is posted in the diaper changing area.

Emergencies
Programs should have a plan about what to do in different types of emergencies. The programs need to practice and document practicing these plans. For more information about emergency readiness please see our Emergency Response Planning Guide for Child Care.

Pressure Treated Wood:
Pressure treated wood contains chemicals which can be harmful to children. Programs should not use pressure treated wood for play equipment or other structures. Learn more about the health hazards of pressure treated wood and alternatives on the Department of Health’s website.

Lead Paint:
Vermont Law requires the owner of a building that was built before 1978 and houses a child care facility must to take steps to help prevent children’s exposure to lead. Every 365 days, a compliance statement needs to be completed after doing essential maintenance practices. The statement must be filed with the VT Department of Health, and the property owner’s liability insurance carrier. Visit the Department of Health website for more information about lead and the correct compliance statement forms.

Mandated Reporting:
Child care providers are required by law to report any suspected child abuse or neglect. Learn more about how to make a report.

Poisonous Plants:
Child care programs must protect children from any and all conditions that could harm them. Children need to be protected from poisonous plants. The Northern New England Poison Control Center has information about potential poisonous plants and other substances.

Playground safety info:
Outdoor play environments at child care centers should offer experiences that will enhance children's physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development.

It is estimated that each year, over 205,850 injuries on playgrounds occur in the United States. This year, approximately fifteen children will die from injuries as a result of a playground accident (2008 National Recreation and Park Association). Information about how to keep your playground safe can be found at the National Program for Playground Safety

Toy and household items recalls:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products. You can find information on over 4,500 product recalls and recall alerts using the various searches on their website: http://www.cpsc.gov/

Resources:
 

Healthy Child Care Vermont  are health consultants that can help you with questions about children’s health in group settings.

Heathly Child Care America
The HCCA program provides information on SIDS, and a free course on SIDS for child care providers.

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care
The Resource Center seeks to enhance the quality of child care by supporting state and local health departments, child care regulatory agencies, child care providers, and parents in their efforts to promote health and safety in child care.

National SAFEKIDS Campaign
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign's mission is to prevent the number one killer of children - unintentional injury.

National Program for Playground Safety

NPPS researches, trainings, and developments play areas! NPPS' mission is to help the public create safe and developmentally appropriate play environments for children

S.A.F.E.