SAFETY POLICY

At Shantivanam, it is our policy to provide a safe and healthy environment for all children, parents, and staff. We watch for potential safety hazards and address them as soon a possible. We also discuss safety procedures with the preschool children at an age-appropriate level. Primary staff members are certified in pediatric first aid, rescue breathing and pediatric CPR. To further insure the children's health and safety, our facility is a smoke-free and gun-free environment.

Emergency phone numbers, emergency shut off locations, and escape routes are posted in clear view on the main bulletin board. Smoke alarms are in strategic locations throughout the house and are kept in working order. A fire extinguisher is kept fully charged and hanging on the wall near the children's play area. We have a designated area to gather in for fire drills.

A first aid kit is kept locked in a cabinet in the play area. Children's personal medications are marked with their name and kept in a cabinet out of the children's reach. While a child is on the diaper-changing table we are never more than an arms-length away from the child. Plastic bags used for soiled diapers are kept in a bag holder out of reach of the children.

When children are moving from one area to another that requires going up or down the stairs, an adult opens the gate for the children and assists them if needed as they use the child-height railing on the side of the stairs. To help avoid accidents in the preschool bathroom, the entire bathroom floor has been raised so the sink and toilet are child height. The tap water is also maintained at a safe temperature for washing hands.

No pillows or blankets are used in the cribs with the infants and the crib sheets for the babies are double fastened with sheet straps at all times. For children who are sleeping on cots in the nap area, an adult is always present with them at nap time.

To lessen the risk of choking, children must sit at the table while eating or drinking, and food prepared for the babies and toddlers is soft or cut in small pieces. The dishwasher door is kept locked if knives or sharp objects are in it. Cabinets and drawers with potentially dangerous contents have locks installed and are immediately closed after each use. All of the electrical sockets in the children's area are securely covered.

Our outdoor safety policies include, but are not limited to, keeping the sandbox covered when it is not in use, maintaining the cushioned mats under the climbing dome, and restricting running activities to the grass area and not on the patio, the stage, or the forest area.