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When you own a child care center , your number one priority must be to keep children safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment.    Infants may be at risk of entrapment, suffocation, strangulation, or asphyxiation if childcare products prove to be faulty.

Parents and child care providers MUST check regularly with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list which can be found at cpsc.gov. You can even sign up to be on an email list which will inform you of current recalls. They continually updated the recall list, so be sure to check frequently for recalls on toys, cribs, and child care equipment. Depending on the severity of the recall, the manufacturer might mail kits with parts to repair faulty products.  Sometimes consumers are told to take the product back to where they were purchased for refunds, store credits or replacement items.

Recent Children’s Products Recalls

Dec 2011

In order to reduce the risk of injury or even death of children in your care, it is important to take note of the following product recalls. All information is taken directly from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website:

Here are SOME of the most recent product recalls:

December 28, 2011: Madeline Bed Canopy Recalled by Pottery Barn Kids Due to Impact Hazard
Name of Product: Bed Canopy , Imported by Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif. “The connections of the posts to the top rails of the canopy can come apart, allowing components of the canopy to fall and posing an impact hazard to consumers.” Consumers should immediately remove the canopy from the bed and contact Pottery Barn Kids to schedule a free repair. For additional information and to schedule a repair, contact Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (855) 662-4114 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT daily.

December 23, 2011: Petit Lem Children’s Pajamas Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard. Name of Product: Children’s pajamas, Imported by Group Lemur Inc., of Montréal, Québec. “The pajamas fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear posing a risk of burn injury to children.” The pajamas are a Petit Lem-brand, two-piece, cotton shorts and short-sleeved sleepwear set sold in sizes 2 to 12. The pajamas are blue with flowers, white with flowers and dots, yellow with umbrellas, or pink with butterflies and fairies. Petit Lem Lounge is printed at the inside neck of the shirt. Children should stop wearing the recalled pajamas immediately and consumers should return them to the retailer where they were purchased or Group Lemur for a refund, exchange or store credit. For additional information, contact Group Lemur toll-free at (877) 748-6698 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by e-mail at info@lemurgroup.com or at the firm’s website at www.petitlem.com

December 23, 2011: Children’s Robes Recalled by Hanna Andersson Due to Violation of the Federal Flammability Standard. Name of Products: Children’s fleece robes, Imported by Hanna Andersson, of Portland, Oregon. “These children’s robes fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.” The robes are fluffy white fleece robes with large multi-color dots. The 100% polyester fleece robes were sold with Euro children’s sizes 80-150 cm (24 months through size 14) printed on the hangtag of the garments. “Style 38310 Hanna Andersson” is printed on the neck tag of the robes. Consumers should take these recalled robes away from children immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for a refund, exchange or store credit. For additional information, contact Hanna Andersson toll-free at (800) 222-0544 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s website at www.HannaAndersson.com.

Dec 23, 2011: Build-A-Bear Recalls Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears Due to Choking Hazard. Name of Product: Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears, Manufactured by Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc., of St. Louis, Mo. “The teddy bear’s eyes could loosen and fall out, posing a choking hazard to children.” Consumers should immediately take the recalled teddy bear from children and return it to any Build-A-Bear store to receive a coupon for any available stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear.

Dec 22, 2011: Bugaboo Bee Strollers Recalled by Bugaboo Americas Due to Fall Hazard, Imported by Bugaboo Americas, of El Segundo, Calif. “The front swivel wheels can lock while the stroller is in motion, causing the stroller to tip and posing a fall hazard.” The recalled strollers are made for newborns and toddlers up to 37 pounds. They are sold in two frame colors: silver and all black. The stroller’s seat comes in black or denim colors and canopy colors include yellow, black, khaki, blue, pink and red, plus special collections colors such as tangerine, soft pink, light green, dark purple, denim and the Missoni print collection. Production dates from January 2011 through September 2011, which are printed with the month abbreviated and year, i.e “Jan. 2011”, the “Bugaboo Bee” name and company address are printed on the date code label located on the stroller frame under the seat unit. “Bugaboo Bee” is also printed on the side of the seat backrest. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Bugaboo or the retailer where the stroller was purchased to receive free replacement swivel wheels.

Toys, furniture and other equipment is an expensive investment for a daycare business, However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used cribs and furniture for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the product has not been previously recalled.

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How do you know when a child is ready for toilet training?  The age range for potty training readiness varies. Most children are not physiologically ready to be toilet trained until about 18-24 months whereas some may not be ready until 30 months or older. Along with physiological readiness, they must be also show emotional readiness. They should not be fighting the process and showing signs of anxiety and trepidation.

The American Pediatric Association suggests that there are true signs of potty training readiness:

• The child can follow simple instructions
• The child can walk to and from the bathroom and help undress themselves
• The child seems uncomfortable with soiled diapers and asks to be changed
• The child asks to use the toilet or potty
• The child asks to wear big-kid underwear
• The child stays dry at least two hours at a time during the day or is dry after naps
• The child’s bowel movements become regular and predictable
• The child uses facial expressions, posture, or words to show they are about to urinate or have a bowel movement

Once you have determined the child has shown clear signs of potty training readiness, it’s time to get started. Never force or pressure a child to use the potty. Ease them into it. Potty training can be stress free using a few simple strategies:

Reward system: As the child demonstrate steps involved in the potty training process reward him or her. For example, when the child lets you know he or she has to use the potty, sits on the potty on his own, or pulls down his pants alone, give them a small reward. Rewards can range from stickers and honor badges to high fives and praise.

Role Modeling and dramatic play: A doll that wets is an appropriate toilet training model.  The child can sees where the “pee” comes from. Then through dramatic play, the child can act out toilet training steps. He or she can remove the doll’s diapers, place the doll on the potty seat, change the doll’s diapers, empty the toy potty into the toilet, and then flush the toilet.

Bring the potty outside: In the backyard, let the child play without diapers and bring a potty chair outside. Let him or her go pee-pee outside so that they can see where it comes from. When the children feels they have control over their own bodies they are more likely to use the potty.

Potty training learning materials: Use books or videos to introduce the child to the potty training process. This opens the lines of communication. Children can ask questions and see demonstrations of training steps. A great book to try is A Potty for Me: A Lift-the-Flap Instruction Manual by Karen Katz.

Also Consider “Potty Power – For Boys & Girls” a potty training DVD that helps kids say goodbye to diapers.

Above all, relax! Eventually, the child WILL use the potty.

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If you’re a daycare provider, daycare owner, or child care center owner, you will have to manage the individual needs of children with respect to daycare nutrition. Many times the children in your care will have food allergies that must be considered and addressed.

What exactly is a food allergy? According to the Food Allergy and Anaphlyaxis Network, a food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of certain foods in certain children may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. The symptoms may be mild symptoms like rashes, hives, itching, and swelling. Symptoms might be severe like trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.).

Recent statistics show 4 out of 100 children have a food allergy. The most common food allergies in young children are caused by cow’s milk, eggs, soybeans, peanuts, wheat and tree nuts.

So how do you manage and attend to the nutritional needs of a group of children? Here are a few handy tips to help you help manage allergies in the group daycare setting:

• Request that parents provide you with comprehensive information about their child’s allergy. They should list foods to avoid, any cross-sensitivities, and usual treatment.

• Educate parents and children about food allergies. Request that someone from an Allergy Association come in and speak with families to discuss the seriousness of food allergies.

• Ban foods from a classroom if you have found that a child in your care is severely allergic. This may seem extreme but this is necessary because even very small quantities of the allergen in the atmosphere can affect the child. Let all parents know about your food rules and reassure the parents of the allergic child that the child care is allergen sensitive (meaning you do your best to keep allergens out of the school.

• If you find that a child in your care has food allergies, be sure to let other parents know. This will help ensure that the food rules for the classroom are being followed.

• Do not allow children to share or trade snacks or lunches.

• If a child in your child has food allergies, do not allow them to try foods they are not familiar with.

• When serving foods, select those  that are plain and easily identified such as fruits and vegetables

• Avoid planning class celebrations around food. If parents do donate foods for special occasions, be sure they are prepackaged and that it lists the ingredients.

Remember to steer clear of using allergens in arts and crafts activities. For example don’t use nuts or eggs in crafts.

Most importantly, know where the child’s EpiPen or Anakit is located at all times. Be sure all staff knows how to administer it.   In addition, it is extremely imperative that you work collaboratively with parents to ensure that child’s their health and safety needs are met. Communication is the key!

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Do you allow your daycare kids to use cloth diapers? For many parents, finding a daycare center that uses or will let them bring in cloth diapers is a challenge if they have kids who have not gone through toilet training.  As more and more business are becoming environmentally conscious and our economy becomes less stable, childcare business owners are beginning to see the benefits of cloth diapering.

There are a wide range of benefits that comes along with using cloth diapers rather than disposable plastic diapers. First and foremost, cloth diapers are more economical. Disposable diapers are expensive! Parents can save about 60 to 70 dollars per month using cloth diapers.

Disposable plastic diapers may not be as safe as people think. Disposable diapers contain the chemicals was the best thing for little bottoms which may cause diaper rash. Another thing to note is that with cloth diapers there is less chance of leakage. And laundering them is easy. Just throw them in the washer overnight and dry them the next morning.  Whether you’re a parent using cloth diapers at home or you’re a child care provider understand that there are diaper cleaning services you can use but you will have to evaluate the cost of the diaper service versus washing them yourself.

For those still using disposable diapers, don’t be afraid to try cloth diapers. It’s not as scary as you think!

Here are a few tips for getting started with cloth diapers:

• Explore your options: There are all types of cloth diapers on the market that will be a good fit for you in cost and lifestyle. While more expensive, there are even new high end cloth diapers that combine the diaper and cover in one.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions: There are now cloth diaper coaches which can teach you the ins-and-outs of cloth diapering. ZanyZebraDesigns.com has a great cloth diapering 101 course which explains the main diapering systems.
• Wash diapers correctly. Remove as much solid and place them in a diaper pail. When ready to wash, rinse in cold, wash in hot, and then rinse in the warmest water possible. Then rinse again.  Dry cloth diapers on warm or hot setting in the dryer or they can be hung outside. Heloise recommends deodorizing diapers between washings. Use a presoak solution of a gallon of water, a few drops of laundry detergent and a tablespoon of bleach. Then put all the items and the solution into the washing machine and set the machine to the spin cycle.
• Recycle, reduce, and reuse: If you take good care of your diapers, you can resell them and recoup some of your cloth diaper costs. You can’t beat that!
• Wash cloth diapers every 2 or 3 days to avoid smells and excessive staining. And always remember that when washing cloth diapers in a washing machine, rinse them twice.

Your best bet to finding a daycare center that uses cloth diapers is to find a green daycare center. Green daycare centers are environmentally friendly. A green child care center or family care is one that is environmentally friendly. They take specific measures to ensure that the child care environment provides the best in health for children, offer locally-grown or organic food, and celebrate multiculturalism. Environmentally friendly childcare centers teach children to respect the earth and its precious resources.  Most likely the owners of a green daycare center also respect the earth and purposes to maintain a natural lifestyle.

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Child safety is a topic that can be taught to children in your daycare at an early age. Daycare providers can implement activities and lesson plans that help children learn about strangers and safe adults. We Michael Behmer, M.A., Marriage and Family Therapist, and Co-Creator of Chaos to Connection, for tips for teaching young children how to protect themselves.

OwnADaycare: What are 5 top tips for daycare owners to help children protect themselves?

Michael Behmer: Helping children protect themselves is a joint effort of adults and children. Most of the responsibility is on the adult to protect the child. In working with Feather Berkower, founder of Parenting Safe Children, my top tips for keeping children safe are:

1. Parents need to be educated about the grooming process of offenders – how offenders befriend a family and seek situations where they can have secrecy with a child.
2. Parents need to know how to screen caregivers and ask questions to help ensure their child’s safety.
3. Children need to learn and be reminded that their body belongs the them. No one is allowed to touch their private parts except if a doctor needs to look at them and a parent is present.
4. Parents and children both need to have the understanding that, “In our family, we don’t keep secrets.” In cases when children are unsafe, the perpetrator is looking to develop secrecy with a child.
5. Children need to have a home and family in which they know they can tell their parents or caregivers about any worries, fears or concerns without being punished and that no matter what, their caregivers will always love them.

OwnADaycare: Can you suggest some exercises to teach stranger safety?

Michael Behmer: Following up on what I’ve said above, some exercises for parents and children include:

• Parents learning about the characteristics of perpetrators so they are educated and can protect their children. Workshops and books can help parents with this process.
• Practicing identifying strangers and friends with children
• Reminding children that their body belongs to them.
• Practicing “emotionally safe” communication with children, giving children the space to be vulnerable and talk about their worries and fears without punishment. If something should happen to that child with a stranger or adult friend who has become unsafe, the child knows he or she can talk to his or hare parent about it.
• On a trip to different stores that you visit, practice identifying employees and moms so children know who to look for if they ever get lost.

OwnADaycare: Any other tips or comments?

Michael Behmer: Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions. I do want to stress one more time that while it’s important to teach children about strangers and what to do if they get lost, it’s also incredibly important to give children the tools and resources they need if an adult friend becomes unsafe.

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Child safety is a topic that can be taught to children in your daycare at an early age. Daycare providers can implement activities and lesson plans that help children learn about strangers and safe adults. We Michael Behmer, M.A., Marriage and Family Therapist, and Co-Creator of Chaos to Connection, for tips for teaching young children how to protect themselves.

OwnADaycare: How do daycare owners teach children about strangers? How would a daycare provider define a stranger?

Michael Behmer: Depending on the age, it can be difficult to teach children who strangers are. Young children, those seven and under, don’t understand what a stranger really is. They often imagine a stranger as a bad, scary man. It is important to stress with children, especially younger ones, that strangers are simply someone you don’t know or someone you haven’t met, and to actually get away from the word “stranger.” Once children are older, eight or nine, they can begin to understand the concept that everyone is really a stranger until you’ve met them.

Teachers can then teach young children the rule that when they’re with an adult they can talk to a person they don’t know. When they’re not with an adult, they don’t talk to people they don’t know.

OwnADaycare: How does a child make the distinction between a stranger and a safe adult?

Michael Behmer: As mentioned above, children can be taught that a stranger is anyone they haven’t met. Adults are “safe” if the child has met them or if they’re with another adult. As I’ll talk about in the next question, children can also learn to ask for help from store employees, policemen and women with children if for some reason they are some place without an adult they know.

Something to keep in mind when teaching children about safety is that an incredibly small percentage of crimes are committed by people who are stranger to children. Sadly, the majority of sexual abuse is done by someone who the child knows, family members or friends, teachers, youth leaders, coaches. In teaching children about who a safe adult is, it’s important to arm children with the tools they need to know when an adult – stranger or friend – is being unsafe. I’ll give some suggestions in question number 4 for teaching children this.

OwnADaycare: What should a child do if he or she is lost?

Michael Behmer: If a child is lost, the general rule is to find a woman with children (as sexist as that sounds, most crimes are committed by men) or to speak to someone who works at the store. The most important rule if a child is lost is to never, ever leave the premises, whoever the child is talking to. If a woman with children says, “Let’s go to my car to get my phone so I can call the police” or a security guard says, “Let’s go outside, and I’ll help you,” the child needs to know he or she needs to stay in the store.

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As we enter cold and flu season many daycare providers take precautions or have strategies to help boost their immunity now also throughout the year. Some take vitamins, sanitize toys more thoroughly, and get more sleep. We asked our OwnADaycare Facebook fans who are daycare owners what they do to help boost their immunity. Answers varied:

• I take vitamins and I drink lots of WATER too!! Actually I must have built up some kind of natural immunity, because I haven’t been really sick in years!! I do think that happens to many of us day care lifers! Sanitizing lots helps too, and don’t forget all those door handles, chairs, and other surfaces kids handle all the time!! Kleenex is everywhere in our home too!! Hand sanitizers are great, but nothing like good old warm/hot water and a good soap to rid the hands of everyday germs!!!

•           Vitamins, flu shots, and I use Green/Chemical Free cleaning supplies and disinfectants! Then we cross our fingers and hope for the best! LOL

•           I think that working with kids you do sort of build up a natural immunity to a lot of their germs and such, like I said I never get sick. I hang around all of the little runny nosed, dirty handed, sneezing, coughing little kids – they are the best immunity builder!!!

•           I only get sick once a year not very long. The cough I get once a year in the winter time last sometimes 3 weeks I drink orange juice and cranberry eat healthy lots of water and never skip a hand washing. Don’t forget the doors walls were the children have touched daily I use Lysol and I  throw any toys that has been in anyone mouth in the sink don’t think that the only one second is okay. Children and babies are the ones that make us sick wash their hands hourly with soap and water on arrival after playing outside before and after eating every. Hourly when their sick you just don’t know where their hands have been.

•           My greatest immunity booster is sleep, good long, regular sleep!

•           IF I do get sick, which is almost never, it’s always on the weekend!!! These 20 plus years of keeping kids has made my immune system strong as steel

•           At least an hour outside daily. However the more the better, warmer weather at least 3-4 hours. When I’m feeling something coming I eat red peppers until the cows come home. Bell pepper has much more Vitamin C than Oranges/Apples. I also will make my Pho Satay Soup! Which is full of fresh chili peppers which is the highest form of vitamin C + it sweats the cold right out of me.

•           If you have been in daycare long enough you hardly ever get sick. I did get strep throat this year and I had it badly.

•           Diet and exercise is important. Lots of Ester C, vitamins, garlic. Lots of hand washing. Making sure that anything that goes in a child’s mouth gets put in a separate box when the child is done playing with it, and then sanitized before any other child can play with them.

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If your child care center cares for infants and toddlers, your number one priority must be to keep them safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment.  Swings, gliders and even clothing can be extremely dangerous for young children if they are not built correctly. Infants and toddlers may be at risk of falling and choking hazards if these childcare products prove to be faulty. Take note of the following recent swing set, glider, and clothing recalls.

Some 2011 Swing Set and Swing/Glider Recalls

August 2011: Pacific Cycle Recalls Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us. The product is called Playsafe Dartmouth Swing Set Imported by Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis.”The sling-style swing seats can crack or split prematurely, posing a fall hazard to consumers”. This recall involves Playsafe’s Dartmouth Swing Set, model number 22-PS340, with date codes FSD0115AA and FSD0315AA. The model number and date code can be found in the owner’s manual.

June 2011: Swing Sets Recalled by Adventure Playsets due to Fall Hazard. This is the Adventure Playsets Wooden Swing Sets, manufactured by Adventure Playsets, of Pittsburg, KS. Approximately 240,000; a number of these products were recalled in November 2009 for a similar hazard, which listed 275,000 playsets in the U.S. and 6,800 in Canada. “The wood in the posts of the fort sections on the swing sets can weaken due to rotting, posing a fall hazard”.

June 2011: aDOORable Swing Bar Recalled by Sportime Due to Fall Hazard. This is the Abilitations aDOORable swing bar, imported by Sportime LLC, of Norcross, Ga., a subsidiary of School Specialty Inc. of Greenville, Wisconsin. and manufactured by Sporting King Co. Ltd., of Taiwan. “A welded eye hook on the swing bar can break, posing a fall hazard”.

Some 2011 Children’s Clothing Recalls

June 2011: Sleepwear Recalled by Sage Creek Organics Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard. This is Sage Creek Organics children’s sleepwear imported by Sage Creek Organics, of Tarzana, Calif. “The garments fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear posing a risk of burn injury to children. The garments are being recalled because they do not meet the tight-fitting sizing requirements”. This recall involves long sleeve boys’ and girls’ pajama sets that were part of the Enchanted Forest Collection, Forest Friends Collection or Golden Dragonfly Collection. The sets were sold in sizes 6 months to 4T in the following colors: cream and green; dark blue and light blue; and, pink and lilac.

June 2011: Emma’s Garden Polka-Dot Girls’ Dresses Recalled by TJX Due to Choking Hazard, imported by The TJX Companies, Inc., of Framingham, Mass. “The decorative buttons on the front of the dress can detach, posing a choking hazard”. This recall involves the Emma’s Garden® polka-dot dresses. The girls’ dresses in sizes 12 months to 5T were sold in black and white and pink and white. There are three decorative buttons which are round, white and approximately 3/4 inch in diameter. Dresses sold in the United States have neck tags bearing tracking number TJX-80327TDS1.

June 2011: Kahn Enterprises Recalls Beeni Baby Hats Due to Asphyxiation Hazard distributed by Kahn Enterprises LLC, Mendota Heights, Minn. “A baby can spit up during use, posing an asphyxiation hazard”. This recall is for Model number 125867 which is on a tag sewn into the back inner rim of the cap.

Parents and child care providers MUST check with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list which can be found at cpsc.gov. You can even sign up to be on an email list which will inform you of current recalls. They continually updated the recall list, so be sure to check frequently for recalls on toys, cribs, and daycare equipment. Depending on the severity of the recall, the manufacturer might mail kits with parts to repair faulty products.  Sometimes consumers are told to take the product back to where they were purchased for refunds, store credits or replacement items.

Swing sets are an expensive investment for a daycare business. However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used swing sets or gliders for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the item has not been previously recalled.

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Photo by miguelb

If your child care center cares for infants and toddlers, your number one priority must be to keep them safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment.  Cribs can be extremely dangerous for young children if they are not built correctly. Infants and toddlers may be at risk of falling and choking hazards if these childcare products prove to be faulty. Take note of SOME of the following recent crib recalls:

May 2011: Dream on Me Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation, Laceration, and Fall Hazards, manufactured by  Dream on Me, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J. The recall is for full-sized and portable cribs. For the full-sized:  “The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib”. For the portable: “The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib or fall unexpectedly. In addition, the portable crib mattress support hardware and the drop-side release latch can break easily, and the slats can loosen or break and detach from the crib. Children can also cut themselves on exposed hardware inside the crib”.

April 2011: Cribs Recalled by ducduc due to Fall and Entrapment Hazards.  “The bottom rails on the crib sides can separate from the sides when the mattress is in the lowest position, causing the spindles to separate and the mattress to drop. This poses fall and entrapment hazards for young children”. This recall includes ducduc fixed-side cribs with the model names and item codes ending in 2009, 2010 and 2011 listed below. The name”ducduc” and the item code can be found on a label located on the mattress panel.

March 2011: Second Infant Death Prompts Re-Announcement of Delta Enterprise “Safety Peg” Drop-Side Crib Recall to Repair, manufactured by Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y.. They are re-announcing the 2008 recall of more than 985,000 drop-side cribs with “Crib Trigger Lock and Safety Peg” hardware. In January 2011, CPSC and Delta learned of a 2009 death in which 7-month-old girl from Colorado Springs, Colo. became entrapped and suffocated between the detached drop-side and mattress of her recalled crib. The crib was purchased secondhand and re-assembled without safety pegs in the bottom tracks. “Missing safety pegs can create a situation where the crib’s drop-side rail disengages from the track. This can create a hazardous space in which an infant can become entrapped and suffocate”.

February 2011: IKEA Recalls to Repair Cribs Due to Mattress Support Collapse; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards. These are SNIGLAR cribs distributed by IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa. “he four bolts provided with some SNIGLAR cribs to secure the mattress support are not long enough. This can cause the mattress support to detach and collapse, creating a risk of entrapment and suffocation to a child in the crib”.

Jan 2011: The Land of Nod Recalls Status Furniture “Rosebud” Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards, manufactured by Status Furniture, of Quebec, Canada (out of business). The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib. Drop-side rail failures can also occur due to incorrect assembly or with age-related wear and tear.

Cribs are an expensive investment for a daycare business. However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used cribs for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the crib has not been previously recalled.

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Field trips are an important part of early childhood education. Field trips support learning objectives by allowing for tangible experiences related to the theme you have presented. Field trips introduce children to a variety of cultures, environments, occupations and community leaders. Field trips also allow children to learn and practice how to behave appropriately in public. From a daycare marketing standpoint, field trips enhance the visibility of your daycare business in your community.

Some quick tips for preparing for field trips:

• Send out field trip permission slips early so that families have a chance to return them in a timely manner. This also allows parents to ask questions before the date of the field trip.
  Arrange for transportation only by school buses or commercially licensed carriers. Make sure that there are enough car seats for each child.
• Provide every child with a name tag.
• Carry along emergency and medical contact information along with consent to treatment forms.
• Each child should have a change of clothes in case of accidents, spills, or changes in weather.
• Pack a light lunch or snacks, and plenty of water.
• Bring a camera, blank paper, and crayons to take or draw pictures of the events of the field trip. This is useful for discussion and future lesson plans.

Great developmentally appropriate fieldtrips for preschool age children include farms, farmer’s markets, libraries, the fire department, the local restaurant, the train station, zoos and conservatories.

After the field trip, discuss the experience, answering any questions the children may have about their activities. Create a thank you card as a class and send it to the site host.

Here are some of the best field trips for preschoolers

• Farm
• Farmer’s Market or Supermarket
• Library
• Fire Department
• Zoo or Conservatory
• Train Station
• Local Restaurant

The fieldtrip consent form should include the following:

• Location
• Day and time of the field trip
• Type of transporation
• Cost of the field trip (if any)
• Meals provided (if any)
• Money needed for admission or lunch (if applicable)
• Dated Signature of Daycare Provider
• Include the following statement for the parent to fill out and sign:  “I hereby give my consent for _______________________ to visit the zoo on _____________________ between the hours of ______________and
• Dated Signature of Parent/Guardian

Do not allow any child to attend any field trip unless a permission slip form  that has been filled out  in advance by the parent or Guardian and turned in.

Here are some of the forms you will need for your field trips. They are free and printable.

You can find more printable daycare consent forms here: Supporting Providers

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