Day Care

Common Insurance Terms

Description of operations: Day care centers provide care to babies and children while their parents are working. Some offer part-time drop-in care while parents are exercising, shopping, or doing other activities. Others offer before-school or after-school care for older children. Services include at least one meal a day, snacks, activities, naps, indoor and outdoor play areas, and various learning opportunities. They may take students on field trips. These facilities are generally open five days a week but do not offer overnight stays. Prescribed medication can be administered, but most day care centers do not have staff nurses. In-home day care providers are usually written on homeowners policies. Operations are generally subject to state licensing, although some states exempt those serving a small number of children or those run by religious institutions. The license issued establishes the number and ages of children who can be cared for, as well as the adult to child ratio.

Property exposures include an office, kitchen, classrooms, and outdoor play areas. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, stoves for cooking, and heating and air conditioning equipment. All wiring must be well maintained and up to code. Overriding circuit breakers and fuse boxes should not be allowed. The high volume of paper, craft supplies, toys and other items contribute to the spread of fire. Wood and/or plastic furnishings increase the fire load. Most equipment is susceptible to and easily damaged by fire. While food preparation is generally limited to stovetop or microwave cooking, any cooking increases the fire loss potential.

Crime exposures are primarily from employee dishonesty. Hazards increase without proper background checks. All job duties, such as ordering, billing, and disbursing, should be separate and reconciled on a regular basis. Receipts should be issued for cash payments received from parents. Bank deposits should be made on a timely basis to limit the buildup of cash on the premises. Audits should be performed at least annually.

Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivables if the center offers credit, computers, and valuable papers and records for students’ records. Duplicates of all data should be made and stored off premises.

Premises liability exposures are extremely high due to the ongoing presence of young children. To prevent slips, trips, or falls, all areas must be well maintained with floor covering in good condition. The number of exits must be sufficient and well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slips and falls. The adult/child ratio should be low enough to permit adequate supervision. Evacuation drills should be conducted regularly. Procedures should be posted that address all emergencies, with instructors and aides trained in their use. References for all employees and volunteers must be verified, including criminal background checks. Access to the building must be limited during operating hours to prevent kidnapping and to keep children from wandering away. The procedures in place for delivery and pickup or release of children to adults must be followed carefully. Playground equipment must be well maintained to prevent injuries. Children learn by touching and sharing, which increases the spread of communicable diseases to others. Immunizations for each child should be required, along with emergency medical contact information. Written policies must be established that address when a child is too ill to attend and when the facility will contact parents or medical emergency providers in case of illness or an accident.

Abuse and molestation exposures must be considered when employees supervise children. The abuser is never covered under the center’s policy. While there is some coverage for the facility where the abuse takes place, it is very limited. More comprehensive coverage should be purchased from specialized markets. The facility is responsible for taking all possible care to protect students from predatory adults and older students through background checks, monitoring, supervision, and by reporting all allegations of abuse to the proper authorities. The more vulnerable the potential victim, the more vigilant the facility must be.

Automobile exposures are very high if the facility transports children to and from their homes or to off-premises activities. All drivers must have the appropriate license for the type of vehicle used to transport children and have acceptable MVRs. Car seats must be used as required by state law. Appropriate supervision should be provided when multiple children are transported. All vehicles must be properly maintained and maintenance records kept at a central location.

Workers compensation exposures are high from hernias, back sprains, and strains from lifting, slips and falls, and exposure to communicable diseases. All employees should have up-to-date immunizations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Children can become unruly and injure employees by biting, hitting, kicking, and pulling hair or earrings. Employees should be trained in how to deal with these students and have access to emergency numbers in case of problems. Unauthorized visitors can pose a threat to employees as well as children.

Minimum recommended coverage

Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Nonownership Auto Liability, Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider

Building, Business Income and Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Estate Legal Liability, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Money and Securities, Abuse and Molestation Liability, Cyberliability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Stop Gap Liability

Reprinted with permission from the Rough Note’s Company copyrighted content.