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    Daycare operations

    Daycare Opening Checklist

    The opening routine sets the tone for the whole day and is where safety problems are caught cheaply. This checklist is written for the first staff member on site and takes about 25 minutes.

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    Short answer

    Open the building in this order: unlock and disarm, walk the safety sweep (exits, temperature, hazards, playground), verify staffing against ratio for the first two hours, set up classrooms and the attendance system, then start greeting families. The two items that must never be skipped are the playground/hazard sweep and the ratio check.

    Before unlocking the doors

    1. Disarm the alarm and check for overnight entry, water leaks, or power issues.
    2. Confirm today's staffing against the schedule; call in coverage immediately for any call-out.
    3. Walk every room and the outdoor space: exits clear, gates latched, no broken or recalled equipment, no choking hazards at floor level.
    4. Check and log refrigerator, freezer, and room temperatures.
    5. Confirm hot water, heating or cooling, and working smoke and CO detectors.

    Classroom prep

    • Sanitize tables, door handles, and shared toys from the previous evening.
    • Set out the first activity and the day's schedule.
    • Pull the day's attendance sheet, allergy list, and medication log for each room.
    • Confirm diapering, wipes, gloves, and cleaning supplies are stocked.

    Opening check-in

    • Open digital check-in and confirm the device or tablet is charged and online.
    • Greet each family; complete any required health check and note it.
    • Confirm the identity of anyone unfamiliar at drop-off.
    • Record arrival times immediately — reconstructing them later makes the record less reliable.
    • Log any parent notes: medication, early pickup, changes in routine.

    Frequently asked questions

    How early should staff arrive before opening?

    As an example, thirty minutes for the opener and fifteen for the rest of the morning team. Less than that and the safety walk gets skipped on the days it matters most.

    What has to be posted and visible at open?

    States commonly require the current license, evacuation plan, daily schedule, menu, and staff-to-child ratio to be posted where families can read them. Confirm your state's list and check it during the opening walk.

    How Caredence supports this

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