🚨Behind the Daycare Door: How Prepared Is Your Child’s Care Team?

The Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Saying, “See You This Afternoon!”

You drop your child off at daycare, give them a hug, grab that last-minute kiss, and say:

“Have a great day! I’ll see you later!”

But before you walk away, have you ever stopped to wonder:

“What happens if something goes wrong while I’m not here?”

A child falls from the playground.

Someone starts choking.

A child has a serious allergic reaction.

A severe storm rolls through.

There’s a fire.

A child suddenly becomes unresponsive.

These aren't fun things to think about—but being prepared isn't about expecting the worst. It's about being ready when the unexpected happens.

So, the next time you tour a daycare or speak with your child's provider, don't just ask about nap time, snacks, and the playground.

Ask about emergency preparedness.

👀 Question #1: “Who knows CPR and First Aid?”

This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Don't be afraid to get specific.

Ask:

• How many staff members are CPR certified?

• Are they also trained in First Aid?

• Are their certifications current?

• Is someone CPR/First Aid trained present whenever children are in care?

• How often does staff training get renewed?

Here's something to remember:

A certificate on the wall doesn't respond to an emergency—people do.

Training should give staff the knowledge and confidence to act.

❤️ Question #2: “Do you have an AED?”

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be an important part of an emergency response plan. Ask:

“Do you have an AED, and where is it located?”

If they have one, follow up:

👉 Is it accessible during operating hours?

👉 Do staff know how to use it?

👉 Is it regularly inspected and maintained?

👉 Do employees know exactly where it is?

You don't have to be a safety expert to ask these questions. You're a parent. Asking questions is part of protecting your child.

🚨 Question #3: “What happens if my child has a medical emergency?”

Imagine getting a phone call at work:

“Hi, your child isn't feeling well.”

Your heart immediately drops.

Now imagine being told:

“We're calling 911.”

Would you know what happens next?

Ask your childcare provider:

• When do you call 911?

• Who provides First Aid?

• When are parents notified?

• How are injuries documented?

• Who stays with the child?

• What happens if a parent can't arrive immediately?

• What information is provided to EMS?

Knowing the answers before an emergency can make a stressful situation a little less overwhelming.

🔥 Question #4: “What is your emergency plan?”

“Don't worry—we have a plan.”

That's great.

But what does that actually mean?

Ask how the daycare responds to situations such as:

🔥 Fire

🌪️ Severe weather

🚨 Security threats

🧒 A missing child

💨 Hazardous air or environmental emergencies

⚡ Power outages

🏃 Evacuations

A good emergency plan isn't something that sits in a binder collecting dust. It should be understood, practiced, and updated.

📱 Question #5: “How will you contact me?”

During an emergency, communication matters.

Ask:

“How will you reach me?”

Will they call?

Text?

Email?

Use an emergency notification system?

Also ask:

“Who is my emergency contact if you can't reach me?”

And here's your reminder:

📲 Keep your emergency contact information UPDATED.

New phone number?

New job?

New address?

Different emergency contact?

Tell the daycare.

That little update could become very important someday.

🩸 What About Serious Bleeding?

Here's something parents don't always think about.

CPR isn't the only emergency skill that matters.

Children play.

Children run.

Children climb.

Children fall.

And unfortunately, serious injuries can happen.

That's why Stop the Bleed training can be another valuable skill for childcare professionals.

Staff should understand how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and what actions to take while waiting for emergency responders.

Because when someone is seriously injured:

Seconds matter.

🎒 Ask About Your Child's Emergency Supplies

You can also ask:

“What emergency supplies do you keep on-site?”

Depending on the facility and its policies, this may include:

• First Aid supplies

• Emergency medications

• Emergency contact information

• Flashlights

• Communication equipment

• Emergency food and water

• Personal protective equipment

• Emergency evacuation supplies

You don't need to inspect their entire supply closet.

But knowing they have a plan—and the supplies to support that plan—is important.

🚩 Parents: Pay Attention to These Red Flags

While no facility will have a perfect emergency response system, be cautious if you receive answers like:

“I'm not sure.”

“We've never really thought about that.”

“Someone should be here who knows CPR.”

“I think our certification is current.”

“We don't really practice emergencies.”

Those answers don't automatically mean a facility is unsafe, but they are good reasons to ask more questions. Preparedness should be something a childcare provider can explain—not just promise.

🦁 Preparedness Starts With a Conversation

As parents, we can't be everywhere our children are.

We can't prevent every accident.

We can't predict every emergency.

But we can ask questions.

And we can choose childcare providers who take emergency preparedness seriously.

Before your child's next daycare tour, save this list and ask:

1. Are staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

2. Is there an AED?

3. Do staff know how to respond to medical emergencies?

4. Is there an emergency action plan?

5. Does the facility practice emergency procedures?

6. How are parents notified?

7. Are staff prepared to respond to severe bleeding?

8. Are emergency supplies readily available?

9. Are emergency contacts kept current?

Because when you leave your child at daycare, you're trusting someone else to care for them.

Preparedness is part of that care.

🦁 At Lioness Response & Consulting LLC, We Believe Preparedness Builds Confidence.

We provide CPR, AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, Bloodborne Pathogens, and emergency preparedness trainingdesigned to help childcare providers, businesses, healthcare organizations, and communities become better prepared to respond when it matters most.

Because you shouldn't have to wonder:

“Would they know what to do?”

You should be able to say:

“They're prepared.”

Learn. Prepare. Respond. Protect.

Because every life is worth saving. 🦁