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Working With Children? You Need Commercial Liability Insurance

Posted by David Ross on Tue, Jul 21, 2015

Insurance for Working With Children 300If you own a child care business, you’re probably familiar with the specific rules you must follow and specific certifications you must obtain in order to legally operate your business. In Pennsylvania, child care and early learning providers operating a program for four or more unrelated children must be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

There are three types of child care facilities:

Child Care Center: A child care facility in which seven or more children who are not related to the operator receive child care. A child care center must have a certificate of compliance ("license") from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in order to legally operate.
 
Group Child Care Home: A child care facility in which seven through 12 children of various ages or in which seven through 15 children from 4th grade through 15 years of age who are not related to the operator receive child care. A group child care home must have a certificate of compliance ("license") from DHS in order to legally operate.
 
Family Child Care Home: A child care facility located in a home in which four, five, or six children who are not related to the caregiver receive child care. A family child care home must have a certificate of registration from DHS in order to legally operate.

But what if your business doesn’t fall under one of these facilities, but you still work with or around children under the age of 18?

Maybe you tutor children or teach gymnastics. Maybe you sell a product or service that attracts children, such as toys, games, or even ice-cream to your place of business. Although you are not required to follow the same rules as a day care business, you are still responsible for the safety of those children when they are within your care or facility. Ensuring that safety also helps to protect your business.

 

Here are three ways to ensure the safety of minors:

#1) Be certain your insurance plan adequately protects your business and your customers
There are a variety of commercial liability insurance options to protect your business, including general liability insurance, product liability insurance, professional liability (professional indemnity) insurance, error and omission insurance, and more.

#2) Screen your potential employees and volunteers
The National Child Protection Act of 1993 has made the use of background checks more common; however, you do want to check your state’s laws regarding privacy requirements. If you aren’t sure, check with your local Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) office. http://www.eeoc.gov/field/index.cfm 

#3) Create a safe environment
First, ensure that your facilities meet your state and local safety regulations for zoning, fire codes, and sanitation and understand any safety requirements unique to your business. Consider drafting a liability waiver that the children’s parents or guardians can sign. Even if you aren’t required to do so, training your staff in first aid and CPR and developing a contingency plan for accidents, illnesses, and emergency procedures are always good ideas.  
 

Protect Your Business with Commercial Liability Insurance

Get the right commercial liability insurance for working with children.To learn more about protecting your business and your customers (both big and small) with the proper commercial liability insurance, give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or click here to contact us. 

Tags: Commercial Liability Insurance, Commercial Insurance, Business Insurance