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A Safe Nursery
From toys to government regulations, here's how to safeguard children in your care
by Robin F. DeMattia
Many churches are responding to the boom of baby boomers by upgrading their daycare centers and nurseries. That
can be a win-win situation—the parents have a safe place to leave their children during work or church services, and
the church can help children develop spiritually at an early age.
Many pediatricians approve of such arrangements. "I think that the value of daycare is clear, and it is a major asset for
congregations, churches, and synagogues to have," said Dr. Henry Harris, a retired physician and spokesman for the
American Academy of Pediatrics. "It is not only a place for people to drop their children but also a place to get the Word
out. It's a nice way to tie in spiritual themes that kids often are not getting."
Follow the Rules
To be truly safe places, however, church nurseries and daycare centers must operate according to state regulations.
"They have to get appropriate licensing and follow state guidelines regarding the number of required toilets, step
stools, sinks, caregivers per child, food storage and preparation, napping facilities, square footage per child,
assistance for disabled children, and other issues," Harris says.
The state isn't the only regulating body for childcare facilities. According to Devon Conover, health services supervisor
with Connecticut's Department of Public Health, different agencies, such as health, social services, or child protection,
oversee daycare licensing in individual states. But town or city departments, such as zoning, health, building, and fire,
may also have requirements for childcare facilities on procedures like admissions, personnel qualifications, record-
keeping, first aid, and garbage removal. Conover suggests that before you start a nursery or daycare center, you
should research state and local requirements, talk with daycare operators, visit other programs, and decide exactly
what you want in your program.
State-of-the-Art Products
Once you're ready to start a childcare center or upgrade your existing program, you'll want everything in it to be safe.
Here are some products you might want to include:
• Scent-sible. Alan Fields of Denver, Colorado, who wrote Baby Bargains (Windsor Peak Press, 800-888-0385),
says the in product right now for childcare facilities is the "Diaper Genie," by Mondial Industries, an odor-free diaper
pail that wraps diapers in deodorized plastic. The Diaper Genie retails for $25 to $30; refill canisters of plastic that
wrap 100 diapers cost $5 each. Diaper decks—wall-mounted diaper-changing stations—are also popular. The deck
operates like a built-in ironing board; it can be pulled down to change a baby and pushed back when done. Diaper
decks hold baby wipes, rubber gloves, and other diaper-change items. "It saves space, and you don't need another
piece of furniture to use when changing diapers," Fields says.
• Specially designed. Portable cribs and playpens, such as Graco's "Pak-N-Play" and Evenflo's "Happy Cabana,"
can be useful in a nursery, especially if they include a bassinet feature. Also helpful are glider rockers and matching
ottomans. "Gliders are easier to rock, and they're super-padded," Fields says. "They're a big trend in nurseries."
• Better than walkers. Kids in walkers can slam into furniture or other kids or even fall down stairs. Fields advises
churches not to accept second-hand walkers to put in nurseries or daycare centers. Rather, churches ought to
consider using stationary play centers, such as the "Exersaucer" from Evenflo ($55 to $70).
• Infant support. To strap babies safely into a chair, consider the vest-like garment called "Wiggle Wrap" by
Leachco, says Phyllis Cordray, nursery attendant at the Evangelistic Temple in Ada, Oklahoma. She also recommends
the "Critter-Go-Round," a pillow that supports babies as they are learning to sit. "Using these products is more
comforting to us, because if you're watching sixteen children, you know everyone is safe and secure," Cordray says.
How to Buy for the Nursery
One way to make sure the cribs and other furniture you buy for children's centers are safe is to see if they're certified by
the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Susan Dodenhoff, editor of the magazine Juvenile Merchandising,
says such products will be clearly marked.
Here are more tips for selecting safe furniture and accessories for childcare centers:
• Baby gates. Babies can get their heads caught in gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings. So
look for gates with openings less than one and one-half inches or that are made of rigid mesh screens.
• Highchairs. Most children fall from highchairs because they're not strapped into them. Be sure highchairs have
sturdy straps and belts, and wide bases for stability. Some manufacturers sell replacement straps for secondhand
highchairs.
• Playpens. Look for tiny mesh netting and slat spaces that are no more than two and three-eighths inches wide. If
a secondhand playpen has vinyl-covered top rails, don't use it, because children can bite off and choke on the vinyl.
• Cribs. Don't accept second-hand cribs if they don't meet safety standards. According to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, more infants die each year in crib-related accidents than with any other nursery product.
Here's what to check for in any crib, new or used:
• No missing, loose, or broken screws and brackets.
• No more than two and three-eighths inches between crib slats.
• Firm, snug-fitting mattresses, with hangers secured by closed hooks.
• No corner posts more than one-sixteenth of an inch above the end panels.
• No decorative headboards or footboards with large openings.
• No cracked or peeling paint or splinters.
• Bumper pads that fit the entire crib, tie or snap into place, and have at least six straps. Remove such bumpers
once babies start to stand or they may crawl onto the bumpers and out of the crib.
• Drop-side latches that babies can't release and that remain at least four inches above the mattress when
lowered.
Toys. Here's what to look for in toys:
• Toy chests should have spring-loaded lid supports that won't trap children inside. They should also have
ventilation holes in case children do get trapped. If an existing toy chest doesn't have a safe lid, remove the top before
using.
• Children under age six shouldn't play with uninflated balloons, and children who put objects in their mouths
shouldn't play with marbles. Remove rattles, squeeze toys, and other small objects out of cribs while infants sleep.
• All toys in a nursery should be washable, because many children will be using them, advises Dr. George Sterne
of New Orleans, Louisiana, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Smooth, plastic-covered toys are
great because they can be wiped off and washed easily," he says.
• Buy age-appropriate toys. Infants up to age one like toys that stimulate their sight, hearing, and touch, such as
rattles, large blocks of wood, and soft animals. Kids ages one to two like musical toys and push-and-pull toys.
Children ages two to five enjoy books, crayons, housekeeping toys, and simple puzzles. Children ages five to nine like
card games, hand puppets, paper dolls, and crafts. And older kids, ages ten to fourteen, appreciate sports equipment,
board games, and computer games.
Cleaning agents. It's particularly important to clean areas where babies have been changed or spit up or left other
messes. Sterne suggests adding one tablespoon of household bleach to a quart of water, spraying it on the affected
area, and wiping it off. "It works, it's cheap, it's deodorizing, and it's safe to have around," Sterne says.
Make sure all chemicals have child-resistant closures. Also, use safety latches on cabinets that contain chemicals,
medicines, paint solvents, plastic trash bags, polishes, or waxes.
More Safety Tips
Here are a few more suggestions to keep your facilities safe for children:
• Keep the cords of window blinds out of reach by hanging them at the top of the window covering. Don't set cribs
near windows.
• Install anti-scald devices on faucets to keep water temperatures below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use changing tables that have safety straps and have drawers or shelves that are easily accessible.
• If you use hook-on chairs that attach to table edges, don't place them where children's feet can push against the
table and dislodge the chairs.
• All nursery surfaces should be washed regularly and kept dust-free.
• If the nursery air is dry, consider using a cool-mist humidifier. This is especially helpful during winter months
when children have colds. Clean a humidifier frequently to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Church pagers. By issuing a coded number or hand-held pager to parents, staff members, and medical people at
church, necessary adults can be instantly notified about problems that occur in a nursery without disrupting a worship
service. Pagers help ensure a child's safety by requiring parents to match ID numbers on pager and child when
picking up a child. And pagers allow people to be notified should additional help be needed in a nursery. Pager
systems, $418 and up, are available from Microframe Corporation (800-635-3811).
Robin F. DeMattia is a freelance editor and writer based in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Sources for Safety Information
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Free 20-page brochure, "Safe & Sound for Baby." Call 609-231-8500 or send self-addressed, stamped, business-size
envelope to JPMA Safety Brochure, 236 Route 38 West, Suite 100, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Sixty-five free brochures about raising children. For a list of topics, call 847-981-5100 or send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to American Academy of Pediatrics, Dept. C, PO. Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Free brochures about cribs, baby safety, playground equipment, and other topics. Send a letter or postcard requesting
a list of topics to: Publication List, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.
BACK TO ARTICLES
From toys to government regulations, here's how to safeguard children in your care
by Robin F. DeMattia
Many churches are responding to the boom of baby boomers by upgrading their daycare centers and nurseries. That
can be a win-win situation—the parents have a safe place to leave their children during work or church services, and
the church can help children develop spiritually at an early age.
Many pediatricians approve of such arrangements. "I think that the value of daycare is clear, and it is a major asset for
congregations, churches, and synagogues to have," said Dr. Henry Harris, a retired physician and spokesman for the
American Academy of Pediatrics. "It is not only a place for people to drop their children but also a place to get the Word
out. It's a nice way to tie in spiritual themes that kids often are not getting."
Follow the Rules
To be truly safe places, however, church nurseries and daycare centers must operate according to state regulations.
"They have to get appropriate licensing and follow state guidelines regarding the number of required toilets, step
stools, sinks, caregivers per child, food storage and preparation, napping facilities, square footage per child,
assistance for disabled children, and other issues," Harris says.
The state isn't the only regulating body for childcare facilities. According to Devon Conover, health services supervisor
with Connecticut's Department of Public Health, different agencies, such as health, social services, or child protection,
oversee daycare licensing in individual states. But town or city departments, such as zoning, health, building, and fire,
may also have requirements for childcare facilities on procedures like admissions, personnel qualifications, record-
keeping, first aid, and garbage removal. Conover suggests that before you start a nursery or daycare center, you
should research state and local requirements, talk with daycare operators, visit other programs, and decide exactly
what you want in your program.
State-of-the-Art Products
Once you're ready to start a childcare center or upgrade your existing program, you'll want everything in it to be safe.
Here are some products you might want to include:
• Scent-sible. Alan Fields of Denver, Colorado, who wrote Baby Bargains (Windsor Peak Press, 800-888-0385),
says the in product right now for childcare facilities is the "Diaper Genie," by Mondial Industries, an odor-free diaper
pail that wraps diapers in deodorized plastic. The Diaper Genie retails for $25 to $30; refill canisters of plastic that
wrap 100 diapers cost $5 each. Diaper decks—wall-mounted diaper-changing stations—are also popular. The deck
operates like a built-in ironing board; it can be pulled down to change a baby and pushed back when done. Diaper
decks hold baby wipes, rubber gloves, and other diaper-change items. "It saves space, and you don't need another
piece of furniture to use when changing diapers," Fields says.
• Specially designed. Portable cribs and playpens, such as Graco's "Pak-N-Play" and Evenflo's "Happy Cabana,"
can be useful in a nursery, especially if they include a bassinet feature. Also helpful are glider rockers and matching
ottomans. "Gliders are easier to rock, and they're super-padded," Fields says. "They're a big trend in nurseries."
• Better than walkers. Kids in walkers can slam into furniture or other kids or even fall down stairs. Fields advises
churches not to accept second-hand walkers to put in nurseries or daycare centers. Rather, churches ought to
consider using stationary play centers, such as the "Exersaucer" from Evenflo ($55 to $70).
• Infant support. To strap babies safely into a chair, consider the vest-like garment called "Wiggle Wrap" by
Leachco, says Phyllis Cordray, nursery attendant at the Evangelistic Temple in Ada, Oklahoma. She also recommends
the "Critter-Go-Round," a pillow that supports babies as they are learning to sit. "Using these products is more
comforting to us, because if you're watching sixteen children, you know everyone is safe and secure," Cordray says.
How to Buy for the Nursery
One way to make sure the cribs and other furniture you buy for children's centers are safe is to see if they're certified by
the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Susan Dodenhoff, editor of the magazine Juvenile Merchandising,
says such products will be clearly marked.
Here are more tips for selecting safe furniture and accessories for childcare centers:
• Baby gates. Babies can get their heads caught in gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings. So
look for gates with openings less than one and one-half inches or that are made of rigid mesh screens.
• Highchairs. Most children fall from highchairs because they're not strapped into them. Be sure highchairs have
sturdy straps and belts, and wide bases for stability. Some manufacturers sell replacement straps for secondhand
highchairs.
• Playpens. Look for tiny mesh netting and slat spaces that are no more than two and three-eighths inches wide. If
a secondhand playpen has vinyl-covered top rails, don't use it, because children can bite off and choke on the vinyl.
• Cribs. Don't accept second-hand cribs if they don't meet safety standards. According to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, more infants die each year in crib-related accidents than with any other nursery product.
Here's what to check for in any crib, new or used:
• No missing, loose, or broken screws and brackets.
• No more than two and three-eighths inches between crib slats.
• Firm, snug-fitting mattresses, with hangers secured by closed hooks.
• No corner posts more than one-sixteenth of an inch above the end panels.
• No decorative headboards or footboards with large openings.
• No cracked or peeling paint or splinters.
• Bumper pads that fit the entire crib, tie or snap into place, and have at least six straps. Remove such bumpers
once babies start to stand or they may crawl onto the bumpers and out of the crib.
• Drop-side latches that babies can't release and that remain at least four inches above the mattress when
lowered.
Toys. Here's what to look for in toys:
• Toy chests should have spring-loaded lid supports that won't trap children inside. They should also have
ventilation holes in case children do get trapped. If an existing toy chest doesn't have a safe lid, remove the top before
using.
• Children under age six shouldn't play with uninflated balloons, and children who put objects in their mouths
shouldn't play with marbles. Remove rattles, squeeze toys, and other small objects out of cribs while infants sleep.
• All toys in a nursery should be washable, because many children will be using them, advises Dr. George Sterne
of New Orleans, Louisiana, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Smooth, plastic-covered toys are
great because they can be wiped off and washed easily," he says.
• Buy age-appropriate toys. Infants up to age one like toys that stimulate their sight, hearing, and touch, such as
rattles, large blocks of wood, and soft animals. Kids ages one to two like musical toys and push-and-pull toys.
Children ages two to five enjoy books, crayons, housekeeping toys, and simple puzzles. Children ages five to nine like
card games, hand puppets, paper dolls, and crafts. And older kids, ages ten to fourteen, appreciate sports equipment,
board games, and computer games.
Cleaning agents. It's particularly important to clean areas where babies have been changed or spit up or left other
messes. Sterne suggests adding one tablespoon of household bleach to a quart of water, spraying it on the affected
area, and wiping it off. "It works, it's cheap, it's deodorizing, and it's safe to have around," Sterne says.
Make sure all chemicals have child-resistant closures. Also, use safety latches on cabinets that contain chemicals,
medicines, paint solvents, plastic trash bags, polishes, or waxes.
More Safety Tips
Here are a few more suggestions to keep your facilities safe for children:
• Keep the cords of window blinds out of reach by hanging them at the top of the window covering. Don't set cribs
near windows.
• Install anti-scald devices on faucets to keep water temperatures below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use changing tables that have safety straps and have drawers or shelves that are easily accessible.
• If you use hook-on chairs that attach to table edges, don't place them where children's feet can push against the
table and dislodge the chairs.
• All nursery surfaces should be washed regularly and kept dust-free.
• If the nursery air is dry, consider using a cool-mist humidifier. This is especially helpful during winter months
when children have colds. Clean a humidifier frequently to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Church pagers. By issuing a coded number or hand-held pager to parents, staff members, and medical people at
church, necessary adults can be instantly notified about problems that occur in a nursery without disrupting a worship
service. Pagers help ensure a child's safety by requiring parents to match ID numbers on pager and child when
picking up a child. And pagers allow people to be notified should additional help be needed in a nursery. Pager
systems, $418 and up, are available from Microframe Corporation (800-635-3811).
Robin F. DeMattia is a freelance editor and writer based in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Sources for Safety Information
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Free 20-page brochure, "Safe & Sound for Baby." Call 609-231-8500 or send self-addressed, stamped, business-size
envelope to JPMA Safety Brochure, 236 Route 38 West, Suite 100, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Sixty-five free brochures about raising children. For a list of topics, call 847-981-5100 or send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to American Academy of Pediatrics, Dept. C, PO. Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Free brochures about cribs, baby safety, playground equipment, and other topics. Send a letter or postcard requesting
a list of topics to: Publication List, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.
BACK TO ARTICLES