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Safety

Safety questions to ask before you sign up

By Monica Schoborg, founder. Last updated: October 6, 2026

Every program runs things its own way, and the only way to know how one handles safety is to ask. Here is what PlayPivot can and can't tell you, the questions I would ask any camp, class or care program, and a few things that matter more in Las Vegas than almost anywhere else.

What PlayPivot does

  • Lists public information from each program's own website, public business listings, official calendars and owners who claim their page.
  • Shows where a listing's hours came from and the month they were last checked.
  • Shows special-needs support only when the program itself says it offers it.
  • Lets you report wrong or outdated details with the "Suggest an edit" button on every listing.

What PlayPivot does not do

  • We don't visit programs or watch classes.
  • We don't look at staff records, licenses or insurance.
  • We don't grade how safe a program is. A Google rating reflects other people's experiences, and it says nothing about a program's safety rules.
  • A "Premium listing" label means the business paid for placement. It says nothing about safety.

More on where our information comes from is in how we build PlayPivot.

Questions to ask any program

Staff and supervision

  • How many adults are with my child's age group, and how many kids? Is it the same at the busiest time of day?
  • Ask whether all staff and volunteers are background-checked, and how often that is redone.
  • Who on site is trained in CPR and first aid, and are they there the whole time my child is?
  • Is a child ever alone with one adult, out of sight of others? What is your rule on that?
  • How do staff handle discipline, bullying, or a child who is upset or overwhelmed?

Licensing and paperwork

  • For child care, preschool and before or after school care: what is your current state license number? Then look it up yourself with the state links below.
  • Ask the program about its most recent state inspection and what came out of it.
  • Camps, classes and sports teams often are not child care. Ask the program which licenses or permits apply to it, and whether it carries liability insurance.
  • What do I sign, and what does the waiver cover?

Health, allergies and injuries

  • How do you handle food allergies, medication and inhalers? Where is my child's medication kept?
  • If my child gets hurt or sick, who calls me, and how fast?
  • What is your plan for an emergency, like a fire, a lockdown or a power outage on a hot day?

Pools and water

  • Is a lifeguard on duty whenever kids are in or near the water?
  • How do you check each child's swimming before they go in the deep end?
  • How many kids does each instructor have in the water at once?

A good program is glad to answer these. If a program won't answer, or the answers change each time you ask, that tells you something too.

Drop-off and pickup

  • Ask who is allowed to pick up your child and how the program checks that it is that person. Good programs keep a written pickup list and ask for ID from anyone they don't know.
  • Ask where exactly drop-off and pickup happen and whether an adult is there the whole time.
  • Ask what happens if you are running late, or if your child doesn't arrive when expected. You want a program that calls you.
  • Drop-off lines at big venues and schools get busy. Walk your child to the door or the check-in table, not just the curb, until you both know the routine.
  • Look before you lock. Check the back seat every time you leave the car, even for a quick stop. Putting your phone or bag in the back seat is an easy reminder.

Heat safety in Las Vegas

  • Las Vegas summer heat often runs past 105°F from May through September, and outdoor surfaces get much hotter than the air.
  • Ask outdoor camps, sports and park programs about their heat plan. At what temperature do they move inside or cancel? How often are water breaks? Where is the shade?
  • Pack a refillable water bottle with your child's name on it, a hat, sunscreen and light clothes. Ask whether the program refills bottles.
  • Playground slides, artificial turf and splash pad decks can get hot enough to burn. Touch them with your hand first.
  • Never leave a child in a parked car, not even for a minute with the engine off.
  • If a child seems dizzy, sick to their stomach or confused, get them into shade or air conditioning and give them water if they can drink. Call 911 if they faint or stop making sense.
  • Check the National Weather Service in Las Vegas for heat warnings before outdoor plans.

Official resources

In an emergency, call 911. For a possible poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

See something wrong on a listing?

Use "Suggest an edit" on the listing, the contact form, or email help@playpivot.org. A person reads every report.

How we build PlayPivothelp@playpivot.org