Protect Your Child Care Business With An Activity Disclaimer
Many childcare programs provide a variety of open-ended art projects for the children in care. In fact, many of the activities are very colorful and consists of using materials that could potentially be placed in a child’s mouth once they take it home such as: scraps of paper, glue, stickers, paint, yarn, pom poms,etc.
I know what you may be thinking, “Isn’t the parent responsible for their child at home?” Exactly, the parent is responsible for the supervision of his or her child at home.
However, what if you send home some art work or a sensory activity that the child decides to ingest and the parents says that you are responsible? How would you handle that situation?
My goal is to get you to think about reducing your liability and think about the art work that is being sent home with the children.
Questions to ask yourself before sending art work home: Is there anything that I’m sending home that could potentially be a choking hazard? Are any of the materials toxic? Should there be a safety note attached to the Sensory Bottle that Reads:( Please do not allow your child to drink this).
A recent experience at my Child Care Center inspired me to send home a disclaimer that informs parents that we are not responsible if a child ingests art materials while in your care. For disclaimer ideas, I recommend that you seek some legal advice, be sure that your disclaimer supports licensing regulations or even contact your insurance agent. Be sure to add the new disclaimer to your parent handbook.
I look forward to reading your thoughts about this post. Please leave your comments below.
With Safety in Mind,
Shiketa
The Child Care Business Owner Institute 
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