Safety Issues in Preschool

With nonstop energy, legs better suited to speed than grace and curiosity that puts cats to shame, preschoolers likely worry more about adventure than safety. Outdated playground equipment or classroom toys, however, can make preschool a danger zone for toddlers. There are signs to watch for when it comes to choosing a preschool that offers a safe environment for toddlers to learn while expending some of that energy.

Transport

• Preschools frequently offer bus transport, but their smaller size can make preschoolers more vulnerable to injury during a crash or sudden maneuver in traffic than older students, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. State requirements vary but federal guidelines recommend transporting children under 50 lbs. in an approved child restraint system. Other factors to contemplate when deciding on bus transport include ratio of attendants to children, mechanical condition of the vehicle, interior cleanliness and adequate safety precautions for children boarding or exiting the bus. Drivers obviously need excellent driving records and should have training in first aid, emergency procedures and behavioral management.

Classroom

• Broken toys, desks or chairs with rough or sharp edges are obvious dangers to preschoolers. Since preschoolers sometimes trip while walking, unsecured rugs or scattered toys can also create hazards. Other safety issues in the classroom include secure windows and monitored entrances and exits, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Older buildings may pose a lead risk and heaters and air conditioners should be in good repair.

Playground

• While a playground is an obvious source of interest for preschoolers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that more than 200,000 U.S. children visit emergency rooms with playground-associated injuries each year. Safe playgrounds for preschoolers include well-maintained equipment sized to fit ages 2 to 4 that is free of rust, sharp edges or other hazards such as exposed metal bolts. Other safety factors include guardrails on steps and platforms for slides and other climbing equipment with spacing between bars that prevents a toddler from getting stuck in-between. The CPSC recommends using mulch, rubber mats or other surface material around playground equipment that cushions falls and "that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment."

Security

• Background checks on teachers and assistants along with close supervision for arriving and departing students and strict policies regarding who has permission to retrieve students all help ensure preschooler safety. Some schools, like the one Wendy Iverson, B.S. (a preschool program director in Bloomington, Illinois) supervises require caregivers to sign their children in and out and provide photo identification until teachers are familiar with them. Other security measures include adequate adult supervision during bathroom breaks, recess or field trips. Iverson's school, for instance, requires an adult caregiver for each child during off-site field trips.