Summer at a daycare often appears routine.
More outdoor play, extended activities, and increased attendance.
However, behind the scenes, this is typically when exposure rises the most.
Longer hours, seasonal staff, field trips, and water activities all introduce variables that are not present throughout the rest of the year.
Everything may feel business as usual until an incident occurs.
Common Assumption
Many owners believe:
“If operations have been stable all year, summer will be no different.”
This assumption is often where gaps begin.
What Changes During Summer
1. Increased Outdoor Exposure
Playgrounds, heat, and group activities lead to higher risk of:
- Falls and physical injuries
- Heat-related incidents
- Supervision challenges
2. Staffing Changes
Seasonal hires and temporary staff can result in:
- Limited training
- Reduced familiarity with procedures
- Increased likelihood of errors
3. Water Activities
Even controlled water play can introduce:
- Slip and fall hazards
- Elevated supervision liability
- Higher severity incidents
4. Field Trips and Transportation
Off-site activities significantly expand exposure:
- Auto liability considerations
- Child supervision and accountability risks
- Third-party premises liability
Coverage Gaps Often Overlooked
This is where many policies are tested.
While coverage may appear adequate, common gaps can include:
- Abuse and molestation coverage limits
- Staff-to-child ratio liability exposure
- Transportation-related endorsements
- Playground liability details
- Additional insured requirements for landlords, schools, or programs
These are the areas most likely to be challenged during summer operations.
Industry Perspective
At Hawk's Bay Insurance Group, we have reviewed numerous daycare policies that appeared comprehensive at first glance, but were not structured for increased seasonal exposure.
In many cases, the issue is not the presence of insurance, but whether the policy is properly designed for real-world conditions.
Recommended Pre-Summer Review
A brief review can help identify potential gaps before they become issues.
Consider evaluating:
- Whether current liability limits remain adequate
- If abuse and molestation coverage is sufficient
- How seasonal staff are accounted for within the policy
- Whether transportation exposures are properly covered
- If contractual insurance requirements are fully met