At-home childminder: secure your swimming pool

Welcoming children into your home as a childminder requires the environment to comply with safety standards. These safety rules involve not only the inside of the house but also the outside, especially if the accommodation has a swimming pool.

Why implement safety standards?

Safety standards are established to guarantee the protection of the children for whom the childminder is responsible. These rules apply to both indoor and outdoor spaces. For a childminder to be licensed, their home must meet these safety requirements. For example, safety gates and wickets must be installed at the end of stairs. Windows must also be secured. Outdoors, it is mandatory to install safety barriers with a height of at least 1 m. This applies to access to the pool as well as any garden pond. To protect the child and prevent drowning risks, it is essential to ensure that safety devices meet resistance and height standards.

Safety standards for swimming pools

For in-ground or semi-inground pools, it is mandatory to install a safety barrier all around the pool, with access via a secure gate. The minimum height of this barrier must be 1.10 m.

Regarding above-ground pools, requirements depend on the height of the pool. If the height is greater than or equal to 1.10 m, this is deemed sufficient to guarantee the child’s safety. The access ladder must be surrounded by a safety barrier with a gate for access, and this barrier must reach a minimum of 1.10 m in height. For above-ground pools with a height of less than 1.10 m, it is necessary to install a safety barrier with a gate at least 1.10 m high around the pool.

To ensure everything is done correctly, it is possible to call on professionals to install the pool safety barriers and gates. It is also advisable to find out about precautions to take with children and babies around the pool. Furthermore, a professional can carry out a complete home assessment to verify that the environment is safe for a child. Make sure, therefore, that everything is in order before their visit.