®
Health and Safety Checklist
(Head Start Regulations/Tennessee Department of Education Licensing)
Program Option:
_______ Month of: __________________________________________
TEACHER/TA:
Other Identified Staff: _____________________
Health and Safety checklist must be completed weekly (Playgrounds must be checked daily prior to
children entering playground area. Monthly report to be submitted to Instructional Advisor/Compliance
Advisor. (Health and Safety concerns must be notated in the comment section, and reported to your
immediate supervisor or Compliance Advisor for follow-up to the appropriate division).
Date of Completion
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
Time of Completion
*Concern must be indicated in comment section
Classroom (Check yes or no by each)
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
Check for burned out light bulbs. (Maintenance Division)
Rugs are securely attached to the floor. Floors should be free of splinters
and large or unsealed cracks.
Furniture and rugs kept at a safe distance from wall heaters.
Heating system is insulated to protect children and staff from potential
burns. (Maintenance Division)
Classroom carpets are vacuumed daily and other carpeted areas at
least weekly.
Classroom furniture is clean and maintained in a clean and sanitary
condition. This include sleeping mats/cots and toys.
Check classroom environment for unsafe conditions (furniture for loose
parts, sharp edges, etc.)
Safety plugs are in all wall receptacles (or safety receptacles installed)
when plugs are not in use.
Classroom cleaned daily and free from hazards.
Bathrooms are clean, in good repair, and easily reached by children.
(Maintenance
Division & OEC)
Center space is organized into functional areas that can be recognized
by children and that allows for individual activities and social
interactions.
Emergency lighting is available and working in areas where children are.
(Maintenance Division)
Emergency exits and escape routes are clearly posted.
(Maintenance
Division & OEC)
Emergency plans of action that require rapid response on the part of
staff or immediate medical or dental attention are clearly posted.
Medications will be kept in a locked box or in a locked cabinet out of
the reach of children.
Locking receptacle is available to transport meds on field trips.
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YES
Classroom (Check yes or no by each)
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Walkways to and from bus and classroom are free from hazards and obstructions, including furniture
and storage of supplies
(Maintenance Division)
Check toys for unsafe conditions and that they are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
Toys are stored in a safe and orderly fashion, not out where people can trip over them.
Water tables and toys used in water tables shall be emptied and sanitized daily.
Tools are stored out of reach of children.
Sharp edged objects and supplies stored out of reach of children (knives, paper cutters, adult scissors,
stapler, pins, thumbtacks, etc.).
Well-supplied first aid kit is complete and readily available and out of reach of children both indoors
and outside.
Nonporous gloves are available for use when dealing with bodily fluids.
Staff, volunteers and children wash hands with soap and running water before eating or fixing food,
after touching raw meat, poultry, fish or eggs and after meals and snacks.
Staff, volunteers and children wash hands with soap and running water after toileting, smoking,
diapering, before food-related activities, whenever hands become contaminated with blood or other
bodily fluids and after handling pets or other animals.
Staff, volunteers and children wash hands with soap and running water before and after giving
medications, before and after treating or bandaging a wound, and after assisting a child with toilet
use, coughing into hand or blowing their nose.
Garbage and trash are stored and disposed of in a safe, sanitary manner both indoors and outside.
YES
Playground (Check yes or no by each)
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Playground and entryways checked for hazardous objects prior to children entering playground area.
(glass, nails, boards, etc.)
Playgrounds are inspected for cleanliness daily and kept free of litter, solid waste, refuse, sharp objects,
and other undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions.
Playground equipment is in good repair, adequately secured to the ground, free of sharp edges or
splinters, and provides a soft falling surface.
*Fall surface materials are measured to meet required depth.
*Fall surface materials are fluffed to provide a safe/soft landing surface at the required depth.
(Maintenance Division & OEC)
The outdoor play area is arranged to prevent children leaving the premises or getting into unsafe or
unsupervised areas.
(Maintenance Division & OEC)
The outdoor activity area shall be enclosed by a barrier at least four feet high. Fences must meet
applicable local building codes.
Safety glass shall be marked at eye level.
(Maintenance Division & OEC)
Comments:
(The maintenance indicators are for resolution with the Maintenance Division and/or both). All other columns are for resolution within the
Office of Early Childhood).
H## | 2
YES
NO