INCA Head Start Safe Environments Checklist (This is to be filled out each month and turned in with the end of month paperwork to Sue Ishmael, Facilities Manager) Head Start Center Date Completed Directions: Answer Yes or No and fill in the blanks with the most current information. Section 1- Facilities, Materials and Equipment Are areas used for diapering and toileting separate from areas used for cooking, eating, and children s activities? Are cots used for the children firm, and is soft bedding, such as comforters, pillows, fluffy blankets, or stuffed toys, avoided? Are all toys made of non-toxic materials and sanitized regularly? Are all toys, classroom materials, and furniture safe, durable, and in good condition? Is Garbage and trash disposed of in a safe and sanitary manner? Does all trash cans have lids on them? Are electrical outlets accessible to the children covered or maintained to prevent shock? Are heating and cooling systems insulated to protect children and staff from injury such as burns? Are windows and glass doors constructed, adapted, or adjusted to prevent injury to children? Are classrooms well lit, and is emergency lighting available in case of a power failure? Check flashlights to see if they are working. Are exits clearly visible and evacuation routes clearly marked and posted so the path to safety outside is unmistakable? Are the exit lights lit up? Are there at least 35 square feet of indoor space and 75 square feet of outdoor space per child? You can t count bathrooms, halls, kitchen, staff rooms and storage areas. Are approved fire extinguishers readily available for staff? Where are the fire extinguishers located? 1
What date was the fire extinguisher last serviced? Initials and date of last monthly inspection on fire extinguisher (This is on the green tag) Are smoke detectors installed and tested regularly? Date smoke detector was checked? Does your classroom have a carbon monoxide detector? Check monthly and make sure batteries are replaced when needed. Date carbon monoxide detector was checked. Are all the required policies and plans of action for health emergencies requiring rapid response such as, (asthma, choking, CPR, first aid) posted? Where is your CPR poster located? Where is your asthma poster located? Are the locations and telephone numbers of emergency response systems posted and up-todate family contact information and consent for emergency care readily available? Where is this list located? Are emergency evacuation routes posted and safety procedures for emergencies, fire, or weather-related practiced regularly? Where are the emergency routes posted? When was the last fire drill completed? (Must be done monthly) When was the last tornado or emergency drill completed? (Must be done quarterly) Where are your emergency backpacks located? Does your emergency backpack have the following items? Flashlight Bottle of water Kleenex band aids pen and paper Is the current child emergency contact information in the emergency backpack? Is the playground checked each morning (for safety issues) before children is allowed to go outside? Is the playground arranged to prevent children from getting into both unsafe and unsupervised areas? Are there 2 people on the playground at all times? Is the route to the playground exposed to vehicular traffic without supervision? Is the playground equipment and surfaces maintained to minimize injury to children? 2
Does INCA provide for maintenance, repair, safety, and security of all Head Start facilities and equipment? Are the cleaning products kept out of the reach of children behind locked cabinets? Date of the last time the heating and air filters were changed Size of air filters for HVAC or AC unit Date of the last State Fire Marshal inspection? (Every 2 years) Date of the last State Health inspection? (Every 2 years) Date of the last DHS Licensing visit? (Twice a year) Section 2- Hygiene Does the staff, volunteers, and children Wash Their Hands with soap and running water? when first arriving to the classroom? after diapering and toilet use? before and after food-related preparation or activity? after hands have become contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids? after handling pets or other animals? before and after giving medications? before and after bandaging a wound? after assisting a child with toilet use? when coming off the playground? Do the staff and volunteers wear nonporous gloves when in contact with blood or other visibly bodily fluids? Are spilled bodily fluids immediately cleaned up and disinfected according to professionally established guidelines? Are the tools and equipment used to clean spills promptly disinfected, and are bloodcontaminated material disposed of in a plastic bag and secured with a tie? Does your center adopt sanitation and hygiene practice for diapering that adequately protects children and staffs health and safety? 3
Are the potty chairs used emptied into the toilet cleaned and disinfected after each use? Are the children s cots at least 3 feet apart to avoid spreading contagious illness and to allow for easy access to each child? (Good practice is the head to foot method) Does your center ensure that indoor and outdoor premises are cleaned daily and kept free of undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions? Is the center cleaning, playground safety, and toy sanitation checklist checked daily? Does the center ensure that the first aid kit is well supplied and readily accessible to staff (but not children)? Does your First Aid Kit have the following items? Disposable gloves Blunt-tipped scissors Tweezers Thermometer Bandage tape Sterile gauze pads Rolled flexible or stretch gauze Band aids Does your center have a fanny pack? (Check condition and order a new one when needed) Does the staff take a fanny pack when out on the playground and field trips? (This is a requirement in case of emergencies or accidents) Does your fanny pack have the following items? Band aids Disposable gloves Gauze pads or rolled gauze CPR mask 4
All health supply request needs to be sent to Kathy Castleberry on an INCA 88 form. (Rule of thumb, order supplies when getting low and before you run out) Section 3- Food and Safety Does your center ensure that all Federal, State, and Local food safety and sanitation laws are met and current license and certificates are posted? Is the State Heath Inspection posted? Does the kitchen staff ensure basic food sanitation in connection with food preparation and handling? Do the Food Technicians wear food handling gloves? Do they wash their hands before preparing food? Do they follow basic food handling guidelines? Are all food service vendors licensed in accordance with state and local laws? List any other concerns, repairs or maintenance issues in your classroom at this time: List any improvements you made to your classroom or playground in the last month: Signature of Reviewer Printed Name 5