ADBF Certification
Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation
ADBF Child Care Safety Seal
The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation recognizes child care providers that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, transparency, accountability, and responsible care. The ADBF Child Care Safety Seal is an independent recognition awarded to participating child care providers that meet the Foundation’s established review criteria. It is designed to help encourage higher standards and give parents additional information when evaluating child care options. The ADBF Child Care Safety Seal does not replace state licensing, inspections, regulatory oversight, or a parent or guardian’s own review of a child care provider.
Recognition Criteria
Child care providers may apply for consideration or may be identified for review by the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation. To receive the ADBF Child Care Safety Seal, a provider must demonstrate compliance with the Foundation’s current criteria.
1. Liability Insurance
The provider must maintain active liability insurance coverage and provide documentation showing that the policy is current. ADBF may establish minimum coverage requirements as part of its current certification standards.
2. Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The provider must demonstrate written policies and procedures designed to protect children, including
appropriate practices for:
• Emergency preparedness and evacuation
• Safe storage of chemicals and hazardous materials
• Cleaning and sanitizing toys, equipment, and child care areas
• Child supervision
• Transportation safety, when transportation is provided
• Response to injuries and medical emergencies
3. Staffing and Screening Practices
The provider must demonstrate appropriate hiring, screening, and staff qualification practices, including:
• Required criminal background checks
• Verification of required credentials and training
• Reference or employment verification when appropriate
• Motor vehicle record review for employees responsible for transporting children
• Ongoing staff safety training
4. Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
The provider must maintain the licenses, registrations, or approvals required for its type of child care program.
ADBF may review publicly available licensing, inspection, compliance, and enforcement information as part of the recognition process.
5. Transparency and Accountability
The provider must demonstrate a willingness to provide parents with clear and accurate information regarding its safety policies, insurance status, emergency procedures, and other matters that could reasonably affect a family’s child care decision.
6. Complaint and Corrective Action Review
When legally permissible and reasonably available, ADBF may consider substantiated regulatory findings, civil matters, criminal matters, or other documented safety concerns involving the provider. The review may also consider whether concerns were resolved and whether corrective actions were implemented.
What the ADBF Child Care Safety Seal Means
The ADBF Child Care Safety Seal recognizes a provider’s demonstrated commitment to child safety, transparency, and accountability based on the Foundation’s review criteria at the time of evaluation. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that an injury, accident, incident, or other adverse event will never occur.
Parents and guardians should always conduct their own research, review current state licensing and inspection records, visit prospective child care providers, ask questions, and make the child care decision they believe is best for their family.
Certification Process
Child care providers may apply for consideration or may be identified for review by the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation. To receive the ADBF Child Care Safety Seal, a provider must meet the Foundation’s current review criteria and provide supporting documentation when requested.
1. Liability Insurance
The provider must maintain active liability insurance coverage and provide documentation showing that the policy is current and in good standing. ADBF may establish minimum coverage requirements as part of its current certification standards.
2. Safety and Emergency Procedures
The provider must maintain written procedures designed to protect children, including:
• Safe storage of chemicals and hazardous materials
• Cleaning and sanitizing toys, equipment, and child care areas
• Emergency evacuation plans
• Regular safety drills
• Procedures for responding to injuries and medical emergencies
• Appropriate child supervision practices
3. Staffing and Hiring Practices
The provider must demonstrate appropriate hiring, screening, and staff qualification practices, including:
• Required criminal background checks
• Verification of staff qualifications and required training
• Reference or employment verification when appropriate
• Motor vehicle record checks for employees responsible for transporting children
4. Licensing and Compliance History
The provider must maintain the licenses, registrations, and approvals required for its type of child care program. As part of its review, ADBF may consider publicly available licensing records, inspection reports, substantiated regulatory findings, enforcement actions, and other documented safety concerns.
When concerns have been identified, ADBF may also review whether the provider corrected the issue and implemented measures designed to prevent it from happening again.
5. Transparency and Accountability
The provider must demonstrate a willingness to provide parents and guardians with clear and accurate information about its safety policies, insurance status, emergency procedures, and other matters that could reasonably affect a family’s child care decision.
What the Seal Represents
The ADBF Child Care Safety Seal recognizes a child care provider that has demonstrated a commitment to safety, transparency, accountability, and responsible care based on the Foundation’s review criteria at the time of evaluation.
The Seal does not replace state licensing, inspections, regulatory oversight, or a parent or guardian’s responsibility to independently evaluate a child care provider. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that an accident, injury, incident, or other adverse event will never occur. The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation believes that protecting children requires more than minimum compliance. It requires a continuing commitment to safety, transparency, and accountability.
Raising the Standard for Child Safety
The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation believes that minimum compliance should be the beginning of child safety, not the end. Through education, advocacy, transparency, and accountability, we encourage child care providers to go beyond minimum requirements and make the protection of children their highest priority.
The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation (ADBF) proudly recognizes child care centers that go above and beyond in providing exceptional care, safety, and nurturing environments for children. Each year, we honor centers that uphold the highest standards, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being and development of the little lives entrusted to them.