Daycare Substitute Staff Orientation Checklist
Substitute staff in childcare settings must quickly understand the critical safety and supervision requirements of the position. This checklist ensures every substitute receives essential orientation before beginning work, covering child safety, emergency procedures, supervision requirements, and behavior guidance expectations.
- Industry: Childcare and Education
- Frequency: Per Substitute Assignment
- Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
- Role: Center Director / Lead Teacher
- Total Items: 30
Qualifications and Background Verification
Verify substitute meets minimum requirements.
- Background check on file and cleared per state requirements?
- Substitute meets state minimum age and education requirements?
- CPR/First Aid certification verified if required for substitutes?
- Substitute informed of mandated reporting obligation before beginning work?
- Government-issued ID verified and copied for personnel file?
Child Safety Protocols
Orient substitute on critical child safety procedures.
- Sign-in/out and authorized pickup procedures explained?
- Requirement never to leave children unattended clearly communicated?
- Sight/sound supervision requirement explained and understood?
- Procedures for custody disputes or unauthorized pickup attempts explained?
- Prohibition on corporal punishment and other prohibited discipline practices explained?
Emergency Procedures
Orient substitute on emergency response.
- Fire evacuation route for assigned classroom shown and explained?
- Assembly point location for evacuation shown?
- Emergency contact list and how to reach director explained?
- Location of first aid kit and AED shown?
- Lockdown procedure explained if applicable?
Children's Critical Information
Brief substitute on enrolled children's needs.
- All children's allergies and medical conditions reviewed with substitute?
- Medication administration procedures and which children have medications explained?
- Children with special needs and their accommodations explained?
- Children with individual behavior plans identified and plans shared?
- Expected child count and schedule for the day reviewed?
Facility Orientation
Orient substitute on facility layout and resources.
- Brief facility tour covering key locations completed?
- Bathroom and diapering procedures and locations explained?
- Meal and snack procedures, food allergies, and food locations explained?
- Approved behavior guidance and redirection techniques explained?
- Classroom daily schedule provided and key transitions explained?
Documentation and Policy Acknowledgment
Verify substitute policies acknowledged.
- Confidentiality of children and family information policy explained and signed?
- Social media policy (no photos of children) explained and acknowledged?
- Cell phone policy during supervision of children explained?
- Substitute signed orientation acknowledgment form?
- Experienced mentor staff member assigned to support substitute throughout shift?
Related Childcare Education Checklists
- Daycare Incident and Injury Report Checklist
- Daycare Field Trip Safety Checklist
- Childcare Staff Performance and Classroom Quality Observation
- Childcare Daily Fire Safety and Evacuation Readiness
- Preschool Weekly Curriculum Planning Checklist
- Preschool Classroom Morning Preparation
- Preschool Child Developmental Progress Assessment
- Infant Room Safe Sleep Daily Check
Related Daycare Centers Checklists
- Daycare Center Daily Opening Inspection - FREE Download
- Daycare Child Sign-In and Sign-Out Procedure Check - FREE Download
- Daycare Staff-to-Child Ratio and Supervision Check - FREE Download
- Daycare Health and Illness Exclusion Check - FREE Download
- Daycare Emergency Drill Documentation - FREE Download
- Daycare Center Annual Licensing Compliance Review - FREE Download
- Daycare Sanitation and Cleaning Log - FREE Download
- Daycare Parent Communication and Engagement Review - FREE Download
- Daycare Classroom Environment Setup Check - FREE Download
- Daycare Incident and Injury Report Checklist - FREE Download
Why Use This Daycare Substitute Staff Orientation Checklist?
This daycare substitute staff orientation checklist helps childcare and education teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for center director / lead teacher professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per substitute assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Daycare Substitute Staff Orientation Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Qualifications and Background Verification, Child Safety Protocols, Emergency Procedures, Children's Critical Information, Facility Orientation, Documentation and Policy Acknowledgment. It is designed for childcare and education operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per substitute assignment. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Who should use this Daycare Substitute Staff Orientation Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Center Director / Lead Teacher 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.