Your child’s first day at preschool is a milestone moment in your parenting journey. Your child is stepping into their second home, and you want to be sure that they will be safe. Safety is one of the vital parameters of Discover First Step Centers. Safety cannot be and should not be compromised at any cost. DFS management ensures to keep all safety measures in check and keep them upgrading regularly as and when required. 

also enhance safety measures & policies as per government guidelines. We encourage all our Partners, Franchises & Staff to follow the safety manuals without fail.

Families trust DFS to help children learn and grow. Most importantly, though, they trust us to provide a safe place for their children. Our most important job is to keep children safe each day. 

When issues arise, the solutions and measures must be a joint effort. DFS Pre-School’s management and teachers take care of the children. However, the parents also play a vital role.

At DFS we make sure classrooms are safe and proper hiring decisions are made. Teachers and staff, as well as third parties like drivers, need to be qualified and background checked.
There are three ways in which we measure your child’s safety at DFS preschool (and beyond):

1. Preschool premises: Premises for the DFS preschool are separate and have gates, walls, and other obstacles to ensure security against exit (of the children) or entry (of those who may wish harm to the children).
2. Staff: All staff undergo a background check, including legal and criminal records. Teaching and non-teaching staff are trained to respond in any emergency.
3. Identity: Identification cards are given to all children, as well as parental authority cards to the parents.
4. Classroom: Electrical cords are kept out of reach of children. Electrical outlets are covered with childproof materials. Cleaning supplies and medicines are locked away.
5. Toys: Safety is a major priority in preschool classrooms. Unsafe toys and materials can put children at risk for injury or illness. DFS focuses on checking toys and materials for safety and identifying unsafe toys. All materials (toys, mats, etc.) meet regulatory standards.
6. Observation: CCTV cameras are installed in all classrooms.
7. Consistency: Daily safety checks are carried out to ensure that maintenance is up to date.
8. Fire Safety — DFS Preschool always pay attention to fire safety guidelines. All DFS centers are fireproof and regular fire drills are conducted on all DFS centers.
9. Transportation — Conductors and drivers are trained to take care of children in case of emergencies. Teachers accompany the children while travelling.
10. Supervision: Teachers always pay attention to children.
11. Illness prevention: Teachers are trained to identify illnesses and take measures to contain infection.
12. Medical needs: Teachers are aware of each child’s allergies and medical issues.

1. Individual attention: A suitable student to teacher ratio (1:20) is maintained.
2. Teacher quality: Staff at DFS are qualified to teach the children.
3. Corporal Punishment — A 2007 report on child abuse by the Ministry of Woman and Child Development found that 2 out of 3 children are subject to corporal punishment, which includes beatings and making children stand for hours. DFS have Zero Tolerance Rule for Corporal Punishment.
4. Molestation and Abuse — DFS makes it more important to have preventive safeguards in place. DFS Child Safety policy includes POCSO act. POCSO training is mandatory for all the staff of DFS. 
5. Learning/Emotional Problems — DFS address these problems sensitively which can hamper the child’s development. Problems at home, learning disabilities, social problems, and other psychological issues are often overlooked in young children. At DFS Teachers are capable of helping students with emotional problems, learning disabilities and social problems.
6. Incident prevention: Children with a history of causing injury are well supervised.
7. Corrective measures: A child who has injured another child are corrected sensitively.

1. Teaching materials: All teaching materials including toys are age appropriate. They are made of child safe materials.
2. Syllabus: The syllabus is well structured in a manner that it doesn’t stress out the children.
3. Academic Pressure — DFS teachers do not put children’s mental safety at risk by putting academic pressure on young children. They do not over assigning homework to children of preschool age, DFS does not risk letting them reach developmental milestones in their own time.

Third parties are just as important as measures taken in the preschool and at home.
The school bus/van is an area where it is important to have rules to maintain children’s physical safety. The DFS has put forward rules for school buses/Vans including:

1. Having a clear label indicating it is a ‘School Bus’.
2. Having grills on the windows.
3. Having a first aid box.
4. Having a fire extinguisher on hand.
5. Having the school name and telephone number clearly visible.

1. Staff quality: DFS school bus/Van have qualified driver and conductor.
2. Accountability: Helper staff in bus/van do headcounts of all the children at pickup and drop offs. Parents are contacted in case the child is not present at the stop or in case of any emergency.
3. Familiarity: Security guards are well trained and familiar with the surrounding area.
4. Emergency contact: All support staff know the emergency numbers of teachers, parents, and management.

In Preschool:

1. Familiarity: Meet with staff and teachers at the school beforehand.
2. Emergency contact: Keep contact information of the child’s teacher and other staff.
3. Mindful packing: Do not send anything harmful with the child to school.
4. Medical information: Information about medical issues/allergies should be proactively given to the teachers and staff.
5. Identification: Visible IDs should be pinned to your child’s clothes.

In Transit:

1. Familiarity: Know the bus drivers, conductors or any other staff accompanying your child.
2. Punctuality: Check timings to pick up and drop off your child from the bus stop/preschool.

In the home:

A child’s behaviour is based on what they learn at home. Once they start school, it becomes even more important to assess what children see at home. To keep them, as well as the other children safe, make sure to:

1. Respect: Teach your child to respect and pay attention to their teachers.
2. Socializing: Familiarize your child with other children. Teach them to share.
3. Discipline: Avoid play hitting or wrestling at home so such behaviour is not copied in the classroom.
4. Corrective behaviour: Explain things gently to your child in case they do something wrong.
5. Expression: Teach children to express themselves by talking.
6. Comfort: Make sure your child knows they can talk to you about anything, and that you will pay attention to and help them.

Ensuring your child’s preschool is safe

In conclusion, we have summarized a quick checklist of do’s and don’ts so that you can pick the safest preschool for your child.

Do’s

✓ Look around the school and make sure it has a safe layout (well-guarded, well gated, preferably on the ground floor).

✓ Make sure the school is well maintained and clean.

✓ Ask if the school is licensed and the teachers qualified.

✓ Meet with the teachers and other staff beforehand and introduce yourself.

✓ Check if an adequate student-teacher ratio is maintained.

✓ Make sure the school is not too strict and does not engage in physical discipline.

✓ Ensure the school does not have long hours and has timings that go along with your work hours (especially if both parents have jobs).

✓ Take a look at the school buses/vans and meet the bus drivers

Don’t

✗ Go by word of mouth or sentiment.

✗ Neglect complaints from your child.

✗ Let accidents or untoward incidents go unreported.

✗ Bypass teaching your child how to behave at school while they’re at home.

✗ Forget to follow up on complaints made.

Classrooms and Administrative Areas

• Floors are dry and free of spills.
• Toys are stored safely and out of walkways.
• Electrical cords are secured out of children’s reach.
• All electrical outlets are either covered or child proof.
• Cleaning supplies and staff personal items are kept in locked storage.
• All food service areas are clean and sanitized.
• Floors, walls, and outsides of trash cans are clean.
• All carpets and rugs are clean.
• Carpets are free of any tripping hazards.
• All toys, materials, and equipment are clean and in good working order.
• Any soft items (dress up clothes, dolls, costumes, etc.) are clean.
• Any sleeping surfaces (cots) are clean.
• Spaces are free of toxic plants.
• Heaters, registers, fans, etc. are not accessible to children.
• First Aid kit has been checked and is adequately stocked.
• Physical environment is clean and in good repair. It is free of: Chipped, broken, or splintered flooring or tiles
• Physical environment is free of peeling paint
• Physical environment is free of broken windows or panes
• Physical environment is free of torn or frayed rugs or carpets
• Furniture is clean and in good repair. It is free of: Protruding nails or screws
• Furniture is free of torn padding or cushions
• Table and chair legs are not broken
• Furniture does not have sharp edges
• Furniture does not have splinters
• All furniture is arranged to prevent tipping and/or is anchored securely to walls or other surfaces.

Restrooms and Toileting Areas

• Hand washing procedures are posted.
• Sinks, faucets, counters, and soap dispensers are clean.
• Tissues, soap, and disposable towels are available and within children’s reach.
• Bleach and water solution is fresh and spray bottles are labeled and dated.
• All toileting surfaces, doors, and handles appear clean.
• Floors are dry and free of spills or puddles.

 Outdoors

• All toys, equipment, and materials are in good condition.
• There is adequate fall protection surface under the equipment.
• Playground equipment is proper size for the ages of children using it.
• Broken equipment is removed or otherwise off-limits.
• There are no broken toys, balls, equipment, etc.
• Glass doors are marked to prevent collisions.
• Fence is in good repair.
• There is no trash, litter, debris, animal waste, downed power lines, etc. on the playground.
• Equipment is free of obvious dangers, such as nuts and bolts that stick out.
• Equipment is free of rust or cracks.
• Equipment is free of sharp edges.
• Equipment is free of splinters.
• Equipment is free of noticeable gaps.
• Playground is free of obvious tripping hazards such as large roots.
• Playground is free of ditches, holes, or standing water.
• Playground is free of uneven concrete or asphalt.

First Aid Kit Checklist

• Thermometer for temperature check.
• Band-Aid.
• Cotton.
• Cotton Bandages.
• Antiseptic Cream, Burn Cream.
• Scissors.
• Savlon or Dettol for cleaning wounds and Betadine Cream.
• cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings.
• painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen.
• cough medicine.