Childcare Stranger Safety and Child Protection Awareness Program
Teaching children personal safety skills is a developmentally appropriate and important component of early childhood programs. This checklist guides implementation of an age-appropriate body safety and personal safety awareness program that empowers children while involving families.
- Industry: Childcare and Education
- Frequency: Quarterly review; curriculum delivered monthly
- Estimated Time: 45 minutes planning; 15-20 minutes classroom implementation
- Role: Lead Teacher / Program Director
- Total Items: 31
Personal Safety Curriculum
Verify age-appropriate personal safety curriculum is in place.
- Evidence-based personal safety curriculum selected (e.g., Safe Child, Kidscape, Darkness to Light)?
- Body autonomy and correct body part names included in curriculum?
- Safe vs unsafe touch concepts taught in developmentally appropriate way?
- Children taught to identify and tell trusted adults if uncomfortable?
- Online safety basics included for school-age children in after-school programs?
- Curriculum avoids stranger danger framing in favor of empowerment approach?
Classroom Delivery
Verify curriculum is being delivered appropriately.
- Safety lessons delivered at developmentally appropriate frequency (monthly)?
- All teachers trained to deliver curriculum before implementation?
- Safety concepts integrated into regular curriculum naturally?
- Lessons delivered in empowering, non-frightening manner?
- Lesson delivery documented in curriculum log?
Family Communication and Involvement
Verify families are engaged in child safety education.
- Parents informed about personal safety curriculum content?
- Parents offered opportunity to review curriculum before delivery?
- Family resources for continuing safety conversations at home provided?
- Community child safety resources and reporting hotlines shared with families?
- Families know program's response if child discloses abuse?
Connection to Mandatory Reporting
Verify personal safety program connects to mandatory reporting.
- All staff trained as mandatory reporters and know reporting obligations?
- Written protocol for responding to child disclosures available to all staff?
- Protocol for documenting child disclosures without re-traumatizing?
- Staff know state reporting timeline (typically 24-72 hours or immediately)?
- Child Protective Services hotline number posted in staff areas?
Environmental Child Protection
Verify environment supports child protection.
- No adult-child one-on-one situations in private or unobservable locations?
- Classroom doors have windows or glass panels for observation?
- Security camera system monitoring common areas and entry points?
- All adults required to sign in and out of facility?
- All adults with child contact have completed background checks?
Program Evaluation
Evaluate personal safety program effectiveness.
- Children demonstrating understanding of personal safety concepts?
- Staff comfortable delivering curriculum and responding to disclosures?
- Curriculum reviewed and updated annually with current best practices?
- Staff access to external training such as Darkness to Light Stewards of Children?
- Personal safety program documented in curriculum plan for licensing review?
Related Childcare Education Checklists
- Child Protection and Abuse Prevention Policy Compliance Check
- Childcare Staff Background Check Compliance Audit
- Childcare Mandated Reporter Compliance Checklist
- Childcare Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place Drill Protocol
- Childcare Transportation Bus Emergency Evacuation Drill
- Childcare Center Annual Family Satisfaction and Quality Survey
- Teen and Middle School After-School Program Safety Protocol
- Childcare Staff Background Check Compliance Tracking
Related Child Safety Checklists
- Child Protection and Abuse Prevention Policy Compliance Check - FREE Download
- Childcare Staff Background Check Compliance Audit - FREE Download
- Childcare Mandated Reporter Compliance Checklist - FREE Download
- Childcare Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place Drill Protocol - FREE Download
- Childcare Facility Alleged Abuse or Neglect Response Protocol - FREE Download
- Childcare Stranger Safety and Authorized Pickup Security Protocol - FREE Download
- Childcare Emergency Supply Kit and Go-Bag Inspection - FREE Download
- Childcare Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Compliance Protocol - FREE Download
- Childcare Environmental Health Hazard Identification and Remediation - FREE Download
- Childcare Aquatic and Water Safety Inspection - FREE Download
Why Use This Childcare Stranger Safety and Child Protection Awareness Program?
This childcare stranger safety and child protection awareness program helps childcare and education teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for lead teacher / program director professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly review; curriculum delivered monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Childcare Stranger Safety and Child Protection Awareness Program cover?
This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 6 sections: Personal Safety Curriculum, Classroom Delivery, Family Communication and Involvement, Connection to Mandatory Reporting, Environmental Child Protection, Program Evaluation. It is designed for childcare and education operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed quarterly review; curriculum delivered monthly. Each completion takes approximately 45 minutes planning; 15-20 minutes classroom implementation.
Who should use this Childcare Stranger Safety and Child Protection Awareness Program?
This checklist is designed for Lead Teacher / Program Director professionals in the childcare and education industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.