Preschool Safety Checklist: 12 Things Every Parent Should Check

At the gate

• Is there a guard, and is the gate kept closed during school hours?
• Are visitors signed in and escorted?
• How does the school confirm who is collecting a child?

Inside the building

• Are plug sockets covered and sharp corners padded?
• Are stairs gated and windows grilled?
• Are cleaning products and medicines locked away?
• Are washrooms clean, dry and child-sized, with an adult nearby?

Supervision

• Is there CCTV in classrooms and play areas, and who watches it?
• Are children ever left with only one adult?
• Have staff, including drivers and helpers, had background checks?

Health and emergencies

• Is there a first-aid kit and someone trained to use it?
• Is there a nurse or tie-up with a nearby hospital?
• Are fire extinguishers visible, and are drills held?
• What is the policy when a child is unwell at school?

Transport

If you will use school transport, ask about a female attendant on board, GPS tracking, seat belts and how handover works at your stop.