BLOG - Is your Play School safe

Is your Play School safe? How
can you tell?
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Early childhood is that phase when the child is curious to explore just about everything
around him or her. It is also a time that calls for extreme caution to protect the child from any
mishapening or injury. Safety is one of the major factors one must keep in mind while
choosing a Play School.
Eklavya School has been transforming the lives of young people for more than a decade.
Founded in 2005, Eklavya School is one of the best play schools in Jalandhar. Recently, the
school has become a part of the “Top 50 Schools in India for preparing the students to
succeed in the 21 st Century”. The award is instituted by FORTUNE magazine with the
Process Audit and evaluation being done by International auditors PWC (Price Waterhouse
Coopers). The School has also been awarded the Progressive Principal award by the Fifth
Estate.
These awards are based on a rigorous check of the safety procedures in place; as well as
academic pedagogy. Primary importance is given to the transport norms and stress is laid on
implementation of these safety related systems and procedures. Academic excellence, athletic
success and spiritual growth remain at the core of education. It is a goal shared by all who
have walked through the doors of this exceptional institution, Eklavya School Jalandhar.
Do take time out to do a safety check before you decide on a Play School.
CCTV cameras
Let’s face it, sending a two-year-old to Play School is like sending a large piece of your heart
away from yourself. The one thing that can make a big difference to your peace of mind is
the availability of CCTV cameras.
Pro tip: The school having CCTV cameras is not the same as having operational cameras, so
ensure that cameras are working. This does not mean that you have to become a helicopter
parent and watch every move of the child, but the safety of the child should not be
compromised.
Access control
Access control is the other significant aspect to watch out for. Remember if it is very easy for
you to enter the school as a visitor, chances are that the security isn’t good enough. Besides a
security guard, do look out for other access control systems (signing of registers, presence of
teachers) that have been put in place. Also enquire about the kind of background checks that
the staff has to go through.

Drop policy
While it may sound like a logistical hassle to ensure that whoever is coming to pick up the
child carries the necessary authorisation, it is the single most important factor to watch out
for. The school not having enough checks before handing over the child can be a potential
security hazard.
State of school buses
If your child is going to opt for school transport, checking out the state of the school buses
and whether or not they have necessary permits becomes important. Besides being wellmaintained,
they also need to be equipped with first-aid boxes, fire extinguishers and
attendants.
Child-proof classrooms
It is important to walk around the classrooms to ensure that the rooms are clean and well
maintained. This means watching out for aspects such as child-friendly toys, puzzles, wall art
and more. It is prudent to check out the toys that the child will spend the better part of the day
with. It is imperative that the toys are age appropriate and used frequently.
Medical facilities
Not only does the school need to have the requisite first aid box, but also medical facilities
such as a nurse or doctor on call. It also needs to have the necessary tie-up with the nearest
hospital in case of any emergencies.
Fire and evacuation
While you can look around for fire extinguishers, do ask for aspects such as an evacuation
plan and whether the staff is adequately trained to handle calamities such as a fire or even
other natural calamities such as an earthquake, etc.
Non-access to hazardous areas
With recent incidents where children have access to hazardous areas such as open water
tanks, it is important that you look around the school yourself to check that any drains, borewells,
tanks, etc are well covered and do not become potential accident sites.
Emotional security
Besides ensuring the child’s physical security, you also need to watch out for your child’s
emotional wellbeing while at school. Do take enough time to discuss what the school’s
overall philosophy is and whether that matches with your own parenting style. Corporal
punishment of any kind, for example, should be a strict no-no.
In checking for all these aspects, remember that physically visiting the place and discussing
any concerns that you have work far better than relying on a standard script that you may be
told over the phone.
Here’s to your child’s safety and to you being able to enjoy these golden years!