How to Write a Daycare Policy for Pesticides

Daycare centers have a responsibility to keep children safe by providing a clean and pest-free environment. Pests such as ants, spiders, cockroaches and rats all pose health threats to children. However, the pesticides used to manage these pests are often controversial and parents are typically concerned about the health risks associated with the harsh chemicals. As a result, daycare centers need to create pest management policies that outline how they intend to control pests and what types of pesticides will be used to do so.

Instructions

• 1

  Create an appropriate title for your policy. Examples include "Pest Management" or "Pesticide Usage."

• 2

  State the policy's objective. You can state, for example, that the objective of the policy is to identify the strategies that will be used to control pests in the daycare center while ensuring that children are protected against chemical health hazards.

• 3

  Define what pests are and what pest management practices do.This section of your policy can include information noting that pests shall be managed to reduce the spread of illness, prevent structural loss or damage to the daycare building, prevent pest infestations and keep children healthy, safe and happy in their daycare environment.

• 4

  Outline the steps that the daycare will take to control pests. Since chemical pesticide usage should be reserved as a last resort, identify other preventative measures that can be taken first. For instance, physical steps can be taken to reduce pests that include maintaining the structure of the building, filling in holes in the walls and making sure all windows are sealed and not cracked.

• 5

  Establish how the daycare center will determine whether a situation calls for the use of pesticides. This portion of the policy should explain what type of qualifying event must take place in order to warrant pesticide usage. For instance, an infestation of more than 40 pests might be the qualifying event that calls for pesticides to be used. This section is important so that parents understand how the daycare center makes the decision to use pesticides. A usage policy will also reassure parents that the daycare center does not use pesticides inappropriately and without cause.

• 6

  State in your policy that all options and alternatives to using pesticides will be explored and considered first before utilizing chemicals. Here, you can include a discussion on all natural sprays that do not contain harsh chemicals. If it is decided that a pesticide must be used against pests, state in your policy that the daycare center will select the least hazardous product available.

• 7

  Make a section in your policy for record keeping. It is important to keep records on pest incidents so that the daycare center can analyze the data and have backup support in case the use of pesticides is needed. The records should remain on-site and be available for parents of daycare children to review.

• 8

  Include a notification section in the policy. The notification section outlines the steps that the daycare center will take to notify parents of any upcoming pesticide treatments before they occur. It may be that your policy states that you will give parents seven days notice prior to a pesticide treatment.

• 9

  Discuss what the storage procedure is for housing pesticides on-site. Parents will be concerned about the risk of their children accidentally coming into contact with pesticides. Reassure parents through your policy that pesticides will kept in a locked cabinet, behind a locked door and out of reach of children.

• 10

  Explain who at the daycare center is in charge of making the decision to use pesticides. Also include information concerning who is responsible for applying the pesticide. It may be that the daycare center hires a professional exterminator to apply the pesticide; this should be written into the policy if so.