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CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Local Businesses

These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain. 

 

A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators. 

 

For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.

1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",

5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and

10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".

 

This is designed to be printed and done communally. 

 

FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

 

aisles are widened for strollers and wheelchairs

 

in-store child minding is offered

 

in-store play areas are offered

 

educational activities related to the business are offered to visiting children and youth (e.g., a grocery store could offer a healthy eating activity/game)

 

parking spaces closer to the store are designated and available for pregnant women and individuals and families with young children

 

bike racks are located outside the establishment, with enough space for bike trailers and  are easy to lock children’s bikes

 

shopping carts are equipped with child restraint harnesses

 

checkout lines are free of candy, toys, and products marketed towards children

 

store merchandising for toys, clothes, books, games, and other products are gender neutral

 

banks have special accounts available for children and youth

 

businesses have counters of lower height to accommodate children and youth

 

child-sized shopping carts are available

 

washrooms have child-sized toilets available

 

washrooms have lower sinks or stools to reach the sink

 

changing tables are accessible by mothers and fathers

 

public telephones are available and accessible at children’s heights

 

menu options are available for children and youth or are available in child-sized or smaller proportions

 

quiet areas are available and designated for breastfeeding

 

codes of conduct for store owners and young people are developed with youth input and are prominently displayed

 

sensitivity training is provided for staff working and relating with young people

 

training and work opportunities available and accessible for youth

 

there is a presence of youth members of the chamber of commerce and/or local business association

 

advice on policy and practice by local business associations and the chamber of commerce is sought from local youth

 

the presence of a mechanism or process for assessing and recognizing child and youth friendly businesses

 

there is a community directory of child and youth friendly stores, restaurants and other businesses available online and in public places (e.g., library, community centres, social service organizations)

 

local businesses support at least one community initiative that supports children and youth

 

local businesses welcome the presence of children and youth as consumer in their workplace

 

local businesses support initiatives that increase young people’s safety

artwork or decorations displayed have child -appropriate content and information

 

OUR COMMUNITY IS

1- UNFRIENDLY             5- OK                     10-A LEADER

     

 

 

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