Water Safety for Preschools, Daycares and Child Care

Where water shows up in child care

Most programs never visit a pool, but water is still part of the day: water tables, mop buckets, toilets, sprinklers, splash pads, puddles after rain and, in summer, field trips. The California Childcare Health Program says young children can drown in as little as one inch of water, and calls for careful, direct and constant supervision of young children in or near any body of water, including a tub, wading pool, shower, pool, water table or even a bucket (CCHP, Prevent Drowning).

According to the CDC, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than from any other cause of death (CDC, Drowning Facts).

Supervision that works in a group

• Careful, direct and constant. That is how CCHP describes the supervision young children need whenever water is present (CCHP).
• Within arm's length. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends staying within arm's length, which it calls "touch supervision," at bath time or swim time (AAP, HealthyChildren.org).
• One named watcher. Our suggestion: assign one adult whose only job is watching the children in or near the water, in addition to the staff needed to meet ratios, and hand the role over on purpose. The AAP describes passing a water watcher card to the next responsible adult after a set time, such as every 15 to 20 minutes (AAP).
• Plan your ratios before water comes out. CCHP advises making a plan so that you can maintain proper adult-to-child ratios at all times, for example when a child needs a diaper change (CCHP). Your state's licensing rules may set specific ratios or requirements for water activities, so check them for your program type.

Water play, buckets and wading pools

• Empty it right away. The AAP advises never leaving a filled, open-top water container unattended and completely emptying containers whenever they're not in use (AAP). Treat water tables and tubs the same way: empty them as soon as the activity ends.
• Think twice about wading pools. CCHP does not recommend portable wading pools in child care. If one is used, CCHP says to fill it, use it right away, then drain it and put it away; it suggests using a sprinkler to cool off on a hot day instead (CCHP).
• Toilets and bathrooms. CCHP advises keeping toilet seat covers latched down when not in use (CCHP).
• Sprinklers and splash pads still need eyes. Shallow water play still needs an adult watching closely.

Simple rules little ones can learn

Short, repeatable phrases work best with children under 5. The pre-K package teaches them step by step:

• "I ask a grown-up before I go near water." (The American Red Cross advises teaching children to always ask permission to go near water: American Red Cross.)
• "I stop and stay back from the water until my grown-up says yes."
• "Floaties are toys. Grown-ups keep me safe."
• "If a friend falls in the water, I shout for a grown-up."

Practice the rules with pictures and pretend, dry "water." Whenever real water is out, an adult stays right at the water table or tub.

Director's water safety checklist

A starting point to review with staff. Your state licensing rules come first.

• A written water play policy that names who supervises and how the role is handed over.
• Buckets, tubs, water tables and wading pools emptied right after use; toilet lids latched; bathrooms not open to toddlers without an adult.
• Pools on or near the property fenced on all four sides, at least 4 feet high, with self-closing, self-latching gates (CDC); ponds and fountains secured.
• Staff trained in CPR and first aid, with a phone close to any water activity. The CDC notes that CPR skills could save someone's life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive (CDC).
• A field trip plan for any outing near water: extra adults, a named watcher and families told in advance. Lifeguards do not replace your staff; the CDC advises supervising children closely even when lifeguards are present (CDC).
• Swimming only where lifeguards are on duty (our suggestion; the CDC advises choosing swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible: CDC), and life jackets for young children in, on or near lakes and rivers (AAP).
• Each child's swim ability and any health needs on file before a water outing, kept confidential. A child's swim ability never reduces supervision.
• An emergency plan that staff have practiced: who calls 911, who starts CPR and who stays with the other children.

Share with families

• The pre-K family note: what children practiced and what grown-ups can do at home, with sources.
• Questions parents ask their daycare or school: useful for directors, because it shows what families will want to know.

Running a program for young children?

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