Is Your Child Safe? What to Ask Before Enrolling in a School or Activity
The decision of where to send your child to school, camp or an after school activity is important, and nothing matters more than their safety and well-being. In international settings or highly mobile communities, there are many factors that can, unfortunately, increase risk.
The good news is that you can be proactive when making your choice. By knowing the right questions to ask and what to look for, you can make sure your child is entering a safe, nurturing environment.
Here is your essential checklist for assessing an organization's commitment to child safety:
Policies and People: The Foundation of Safety
These questions help determine if the organization has the proper internal safeguards:
Is there a clear Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy? The policy should explicitly define how the organization will protect children from harm. Crucially, staff, parents, and students must know the procedure for reporting a safety concern.
Is safeguarding visible? Check their website, brochures, and job descriptions. An organization that places safeguarding front and center affirms their commitment and can deter individuals with bad intentions.
Do they have a Code of Conduct? A clear code outlining acceptable teacher-to-student and peer-to-peer interactions helps define school culture and set firm consequences for inappropriate behavior.
Do they properly vet and train staff? Every adult who interacts with children—paid or volunteer—should undergo background checks (vital for preventing predators from gaining access) and receive mandatory training on spotting abuse and appropriate conduct.
Physical Security and Supervision
Safety isn't just about policies; it's about supervision and physical boundaries:
Are visitors clearly identified? There must be a secure process for tracking everyone who enters and exits the facility.
Is security aligned with local risk? Does their security (e.g., gates, ID checks, car trunk checks) match the specific risks of the host country or city?
Is supervision adequate? Look for realistic staff-to-student ratios and adults who are actively supervising children (engaged, not on their phones or absorbed in adult conversation) during recess, lunch, and breaks. Children should not be left alone for extended periods.
Empowering Students and Safe Travel
A truly safe environment empowers children and plans meticulously for off-campus activities:
Do they teach students safety skills? Schools should have specific programs in their curriculum that teach children to recognize, refuse, and report unsafe behavior.
Do they prioritize trip safety? For school trips, especially overnight stays, ask about risk assessments, emergency plans, and how host families or agencies are vetted. Best practices for overnight trips include staff being strategically placed near student rooms, and staff and students should never sleep in the same room.
The Culture of Caring
Beyond the checklist, trust your gut. A safe school does more than prevent harm—it actively nurtures:
Observe the overall environment. Do the adults speak to the children with respect? How do students talk to one another? Is diversity valued?
Are children happy and engaged? This "gut feeling" about the overall culture is often the best indicator of an organization's commitment to a child's psychological and personal well-being.
Your child’s growth can only flourish when they feel safe and secure. Take the time to visit, observe, and ask these questions. This proactive approach will help ensure your child embarks on their new challenges with confidence and safety.
