Taking the initiative to be child-friendly doesn't ’have to be expensive or time-consuming. Whether a retail store, medical clinic, airport or government office, a child-friendly place is one that parents — one of the largest consumer groups in America — and their children will gladly patronize.

What It Means To Be Child-Friendly

The following are criteria used by CFI when evaluating a location for the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval. They include a welcoming attitude, accessibility, special accommodations and other practices designed to make children feel comfortable and welcome. These steps can be adapted to suit almost any public facility. Download a How-To Kit today to help make your business more welcoming to children and families.

Attitude

“Staff regularly greets children and makes an effort to help them feel welcome”

Make sure staff members have some basic knowledge about children and their development. When employees know something about what children of different ages are interested in, they are more likely to have enjoyable and appropriate interactions.

When children are valued and their needs are met, the outcome of the interaction is likely to be positive. Customer loyalty is one of the greatest benefits of adopting a welcoming attitude toward children.

Access

“Special parking designated for new and expecting mothers”

“Easy stroller access and/or stroller parking area provided”

It is standard practice at supermarkets and malls in many parts of the country to designate special reserved parking adjacent to the handicapped spaces near the entrance of the store. Accessibility is often a deciding factor whether a parent chooses to patronize an establishment or shop elsewhere.

“Staff offers assistance to parents (folding strollers, carrying bags, reaching items)”

Be aware of parents’ extra needs and offer help whenever possible. These small kindnesses can make a parent’s day and will be remembered.

Accommodation

“Provide a clean, quiet area to nurse or feed a hungry child.”

Infants and small children need to eat frequently and become agitated when hungry. Set aside a quiet area in a clean, well-ventilated corner or room for parents or caregivers to feed or nurse their infants.

“Public restroom or private restroom made available to children”

“Changing table in women's restroom”

“Changing table in men's restroom”

“Flip-down child's toilet seat installed on one or more toilets”

“Sink installed at child's height or sturdy step-stool provided”

“Towel and soap dispensers installed within child's reach”

Let’s face it. Children don’t have the physiological control of their bodies that most adults do. If a child needs to go, they need to do so urgently. A baby in a soiled diaper is usually a fussy baby. Offering basic facilities to families will make for happier children! Click for further information about Restroom accommodations.

Other / Special

“Children's play area equipped with clean, safe toys and books”

“Give-away item (stickers, lollipop, balloon, small toothbrush) offered to children”

Engaging children in an enjoying and stimulating activity is one of the best ways to ensure that they will have a good experience, and may give the parent more flexibility to shop or utilize business services. Interested in further information on how to set up a safe, appropriate Play Areas?

Industry-Specific Criteria

We are working to develop criteria that apply to specific types of businesses. Here are suggestions for restaurants, retail stores and government offices:

Restaurants:

Wait staff friendly to children

Care is taken when serving hot foods

Children's menu or child-size portions available

Healthy food choices available

Crayons or other toys offered at table

Straws and/or plastic cups available

Retail Shops & Service Businesses:

Photos of neighborhood children on display

Special line created for families with children during busy/peak hours

Government Offices:

Children's play area adjacent to area where parents conduct business

Special line created for families with children during busy/peak hours

We offer these ideas as a blueprint; we don’t expect businesses to implement every one of these suggestions. We encourage businesses to consider as many of these ideas as are appropriate and feasible for their location. A genuine interest in children and an attitude of respect are the most important factors taken into consideration when evaluating a location for the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval.

Taking the initiative to be child-friendly doesn't ’have to be expensive or time-consuming. Whether a retail store, medical clinic, airport or government office, a child-friendly place is one that parents — one of the largest consumer groups in America — and their children will gladly patronize.	What It Means To Be Child-Friendly The following are criteria used by CFI when evaluating a location for the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval. They include a welcoming attitude, accessibility, special accommodations and other practices designed to make children feel comfortable and welcome. These steps can be adapted to suit almost any public facility. Download a How-To Kit today to help make your business more welcoming to children and families.
Attitude “Staff regularly greets children and makes an effort to help them feel welcome” Make sure staff members have some basic knowledge about children and their development. When employees know something about what children of different ages are interested in, they are more likely to have enjoyable and appropriate interactions. When children are valued and their needs are met, the outcome of the interaction is likely to be positive. Customer loyalty is one of the greatest benefits of adopting a welcoming attitude toward children. Access
“Special parking designated for new and expecting mothers”	“Easy stroller access and/or stroller parking area provided”
It is standard practice at supermarkets and malls in many parts of the country to designate special reserved parking adjacent to the handicapped spaces near the entrance of the store. Accessibility is often a deciding factor whether a parent chooses to patronize an establishment or shop elsewhere. “Staff offers assistance to parents (folding strollers, carrying bags, reaching items)” Be aware of parents’ extra needs and offer help whenever possible. These small kindnesses can make a parent’s day and will be remembered. Accommodation “Provide a clean, quiet area to nurse or feed a hungry child.” Infants and small children need to eat frequently and become agitated when hungry. Set aside a quiet area in a clean, well-ventilated corner or room for parents or caregivers to feed or nurse their infants.
“Public restroom or private restroom made available to children” “Changing table in women's restroom” “Changing table in men's restroom”	“Flip-down child's toilet seat installed on one or more toilets” “Sink installed at child's height or sturdy step-stool provided” “Towel and soap dispensers installed within child's reach”
Let’s face it. Children don’t have the physiological control of their bodies that most adults do. If a child needs to go, they need to do so urgently. A baby in a soiled diaper is usually a fussy baby. Offering basic facilities to families will make for happier children! Click for further information about Restroom accommodations.
Other / Special
“Children's play area equipped with clean, safe toys and books”	“Give-away item (stickers, lollipop, balloon, small toothbrush) offered to children”
Engaging children in an enjoying and stimulating activity is one of the best ways to ensure that they will have a good experience, and may give the parent more flexibility to shop or utilize business services. Interested in further information on how to set up a safe, appropriate Play Areas?
Industry-Specific Criteria We are working to develop criteria that apply to specific types of businesses. Here are suggestions for restaurants, retail stores and government offices:
Restaurants: Wait staff friendly to children Care is taken when serving hot foods Children's menu or child-size portions available Healthy food choices available Crayons or other toys offered at table Straws and/or plastic cups available	Retail Shops & Service Businesses: Photos of neighborhood children on display Special line created for families with children during busy/peak hours Government Offices: Children's play area adjacent to area where parents conduct business Special line created for families with children during busy/peak hours
We offer these ideas as a blueprint; we don’t expect businesses to implement every one of these suggestions. We encourage businesses to consider as many of these ideas as are appropriate and feasible for their location. A genuine interest in children and an attitude of respect are the most important factors taken into consideration when evaluating a location for the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval.