(Because our babies deserve safe spaces to learn, play, and grow)
Hi Mama (and Papa) crew 💛 —
I’m writing this not as a lawyer or childcare expert, but as a mom who just went through it.
My little one started preschool a couple of months back, and last week she had a nasty fall that ended in a leg fracture.
It shook me. And it made me realize that while accidents happen, there are things we parents can actively check and ask before entrusting our tiny humans to a daycare or preschool.
This post is a compilation of my own research + mom-instincts.
When I first carried this checklist to my daughter’s preschool, my husband laughed and said I was going overboard. But after she fell and broke her leg, and we realized how much the school’s nurse and systems mattered, he admitted he was glad I had done my due diligence.
This list isn’t meant to scare, it is just to help fellow parents ask the right questions.
Every child deserves to be safe…
And every parent deserves peace of mind. 💛
Why Safety Checks Matter
When you walk into a preschool or daycare, you see colorful walls, tiny chairs, and maybe hear giggles from a play corner.
But beneath the cuteness, there should also be a strong system of:
Safety, accountability, and transparency.
Think of this checklist as your “mom detective kit” 🕵🏽♀️ — gentle but thorough. Because asking the right questions is not being “overprotective” — it’s simply responsible parenting.
The Safety Checklist 📝
1. Arrival & Dispersion Safety
- ✅ Is there a secure entry/exit point (one gate, with a guard or staff assigned)?
- ✅ Are children only handed over to pre-verified guardians (with ID checks or parent-signed authorization)?
- ✅ Is there a proper sign-in/sign-out register or digital log of entry/exit times?
🚩 Red flag:
- Children leaving without sign-out
- Kids being handed over casually (“Oh, I think that’s his uncle”).
2. Staff Ratios & Background Checks
- ✅ What is the child-to-staff ratio: (Toddlers 1:6, Preschoolers 1:10, Lower is always better.)
- ✅ Has every staff member undergone a police verification and health check?
- ✅ Are caregivers trained in first aid and CPR?
🚩 Red flag:
- Too many kids clumped with one overwhelmed teacher
- Vague answers like “background checks take time.”
3. Medical Needs
When dozens of little humans share the same space, medical readiness is non-negotiable.
- ✅ Is there a qualified nurse or doctor on campus during school hours?
- ✅ If not, does the school have a formal tie-up with a nearby hospital / clinic?
- ✅ Is there functional first-aid kit available (and who checks / refills / maintains it)?
- ✅ What is the protocol if a child gets injured or falls sick — who do they call first, and how fast?
- ✅ Are prescription (or emergency) medicines given only with parental permission, logged with time and dosage?
💡 Personal note: When my daughter broke her leg, the school nurse gave her first aid, kept her calm, and called us immediately. That presence saved us time and panic.
Now I see a medical setup as absolutely essential.
🚩 Red flags:
- “We have ayahs, they manage everything”
- No medical or CPR training
- Dusty unopened first-aid boxes
- Vague answers like “we’ll call someone if needed.”
- Staff giving “paracetamol if fever comes” without parent consent.
4. Emergency Drills & Preparedness
- ✅ Does the school conduct fire and earthquake drills regularly (at least twice a year)?
- ✅ Is there a visible evacuation plan?
- ✅ Are first-aid kits well-stocked and accessible in every room?
🚩 Red flag:
- “We’ve never had to do drills”
- Staff unsure of emergency protocols
- Expired medical kits.
5. Visitor Policies
- ✅ Are classrooms restricted to authorized adults only?
- ✅ How are visitors verified and logged during school hours?
- ✅ Is there a system to ensure vendors / delivery staff don’t enter learning areas?
🚩 Red flag:
- Anyone (vendors, relatives, random delivery people) walking into class spaces or play areas during class hours.
6. Food Handling
Most schools in India don’t provide lunch — kids bring their own food. But the storage and serving matter a lot:
- ✅ For home-packed lunches: Where are children’s tiffins stored — clean shelf, insulated boxes, fridge?
- ✅ For food available at school canteen: Is food prepared / stored hygienically (separate sinks, clean utensils, filtered water)?
- ✅ What is the policy for reheating or sharing food?
🚩 Red flag:
- Food bags stacked near toilets.
- Unhygienic canteen surroundings.
7. Social Media & Privacy
- ✅ Does the school have a photo /video consent form for parents?
- ✅ Are class activity pictures only shared with parental permission?
- ✅ How are images stored/used — WhatsApp groups, public social media, or closed platforms?
- ✅ What is the protocol on posting child pictures on public pages — are the faces / names blurred if consent isn’t given?
🚩 Red flag:
- Your child’s face showing up online without your consent.
8. Bullying & Behaviour Policies
Even among preschoolers, bullying or exclusion can start early.
- ✅ How does the school handle bullying, pushing, exclusion, or hitting among kids?
- ✅ Does the school have a clear anti-bullying policy that’s shared with parents?
- ✅ Are teachers trained in age-appropriate conflict resolution and empathy-building?
- ✅ Will parents be informed of classroom or playground incidents — even the “small” ones?
- ✅ During orientation, does the school clearly explain how they guide children through conflicts?
🚩 Red flag:
- Teachers dismiss aggression as “kids being kids.”
- Conflicts handled with punishments only, not guidance.
- Parents find out about issues from children or other parents, not the school.
9. CCTV & Monitoring
- ✅ Does the school have CCTV in classrooms and play areas (except bathrooms).
- ✅ Are parents given access (live feed or at least clips upon request)?
- ✅ Is footage stored securely for a minimum period (e.g., 15–30 days)?
🚩 Red flag:
- Cameras “only for management”
- No policy for parents.
10. Legal Documentation Parents Should Ask For
- ✅ Copy of daycare / preschool registration/license (if applicable under local / state laws).
- ✅ Staff police verification records (at least confirmation).
- ✅ Emergency contact and consent forms signed by you (keep your copy).
- ✅ Clear written policies on: sick child protocol, medication, accidents, evacuation.
🚩 Red flag:
- “We don’t do paperwork, madam, trust us.”
- “We don’t have written policies, but don’t worry, we manage.”
A Quick “Mom Walkthrough” Tip
If you’re short on time, here are a few things you can do during that first school visit that reveal a lot about how the place is run:
- 👀 Check the outdoor play area /park –
- Is it clean, safe, and supervised?
- Broken swings or sharp edges are a no-go.
- 🏥 Peek into the medical room –
- Is there a proper first-aid kit, a bed, and ideally a nurse on site?
- A quick glance says a lot about how seriously they take safety.
- 📅 Ask about PTM (Parent–Teacher Meeting) schedules –
- Regular meetings show the school values communication, not just academics.
- 🍴 Look at food handling (if kids bring lunch) –
- Is there a clean space to store lunch boxes?
- Are teachers/nannies helping kids eat hygienically?
- 🚪 Check the entry/exit flow –
- Is pickup and drop-off orderly and safe, or does it feel chaotic?
- 👩🏫 Observe staff interactions –
- Watch how teachers or helpers interact with children outside the classroom.
- Warm, patient tones are a green flag.
Closing Thoughts
I know this is a long list of questions, but every single one matters.
Safety is love in action. 💛
The schools that genuinely care will welcome your checklist — the ones that dismiss it, well… that’s your answer right there.
And one last hug for both of us: we are not “paranoid moms”.
We’re simply doing what parents are meant to do —
We are just trying to keep our little ones safe in a big, busy world. 🌼
With love,
A fellow preschool mama doing her best 💛
— Pallavi @ The Good Juju
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