MODULE 6 HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTS OVERVIEW THIS MODULE IS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THE PRACTICES THAT KEEP CHILDREN HEALTHY AND SAFE IN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS. THIS MODULE HAS TWO PARTS: PART 1 &2

WHY HEALTH POLICIES ARE IMPORTANT? Why do we need to have health policies in early learning programs? Take a minute to think about the following: Which policies or program procedures for keeping children safe are unclear to you? Purse search Activity Look in your purse or packs to find things that might be potentially dangerous to children (such as coins, pens, candy/gum, medicine, lipstick, etc.). This activity will help us become more aware of the potential risks children may be exposed to. List items you discover that could potentially be dangerous to young children.

HEALTH POLICIES AS GUIDELINES High quality programs promote safe and healthy environments where children can thrive and grow. Young children depend upon the adults in their lives to make healthful choices for them and to teach them to make smart choices for themselves. Health policies are guidelines that support you in maintaining a climate of wellness by promoting healthy behaviors and preventing the spread of disease. The policies ensure that safe and appropriate health practices are in place. They also help to guide decision making about how to manage confusing or difficult situations.

WRITTEN HEALTH POLICIES FOR LICENSED CENTERS All licensed child care programs must have written health policies and procedures that are: Written in a manner that is clear and easy to understand. Shared with all new staff during orientation. Posted for staff and families to review. Reviewed, signed and dated by a physician, physician's assistant or registered nurse when you change your policies and procedures or type of care provided.

WAC’S HEALTH POLICIES Read about health policies and procedures in your Guides (page in the Child Care Licensing Guidebook, and Sections 5 and 6 in the Family Home Child Care Guide). Ask the students, “Do you know what these are and where you can find instructions on how to do them?” and read the following list: Provide general cleaning of areas Clean and sanitize equipment Prevent, manage and report communicable diseases Handle minor injuries such as scrapes Provide first aid Screen children daily for illnesses Notify parents that children have been exposed to infectious diseases and parasites Handle minor illnesses, such as the influenza (the flu) Handle major injuries and medical emergencies Manage medication Assist with hand washing, diapering and toileting Handle food Provide nutritious meals and snacks Respond during any disasters Care for children with special needs Care for infants Place infants on their backs Decide when children are ill, how to call for pick up and how to care for child until family arrives. These are the 18 requirements for establishing a healthy environment for children. How many of the policies did students believe they were familiar with? How many of the 18 policies were students not familiar with and thought, ‘No, I need to learn how to do that?’ All policies need to be available for review by staff, parents, licensors, and others.”

ACTIVITY- COMPLY OR NOT COMPLY “Does this comply or not comply with health policy? Which WAC guides this practice? Give the last 4 digits of the WAC with your answers. Teacher Francie has been playing with the toddlers outdoors. She brings them indoors for snack time and immediately begins setting the table. Child José becomes ill at preschool. He complains of an earache and he feels warm when his Teacher Sandy feels his forehead. Sandy calls Jose’s family to come get him, notifies her Director, and records the illness in the center’s log. Teacher Henry sends a note home informing families that the extra clothing supply is running low. He encourages families to make certain their child has an extra set of clothes in their cubby, and states that contributions to the classroom supply is always welcomed. Jasmine is in a hurry dropping off her daughter. As she is leaving she asks her family home child care provider, Sophia, to give her daughter morning and afternoon dosages of an antibiotic prescription. Sophia has seen this prescription before and assures Jasmine that her daughter is in good care. Please submit your answers with Module 6 Assessment.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT – TEACHER’S ROLE Teacher’s role as a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. 1.What is the definition of “maltreatment?” 2.How can you become familiar with the symptoms of child abuse, including physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, and physical or emotional neglect? 3.What do you need to do to follow state laws and community procedures that protect children against abuse and neglect? Write your answers and submit with Module 6 Assessment

“MANDATED REPORTERS” Caregivers, teachers and others professionals in positions that have close and frequent contact with children are considered “mandated reporters” of abuse. The time spent with children makes caregivers likely to become aware of any maltreatment that may be occurring. You must protect the child in care from abuse, neglect or exploitation, as required under Chapter RCW. To help us all understand what this means, let’s view this video from Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services: Please write a summary of the video and submit with Module 6 assessment

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT The law makes it very clear: “When any licensed or certified child care provider or their employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child… has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW ” This means that when you have reason to suspect that a child is suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you must immediately report the circumstances. This report must be made to Child Protective Service’s central intake. Check with your local CPS office for the exact procedures to follow if there is immediate danger to a child. If you know the child is in immediate physical danger or has been harmed and needs immediate medical attention, you must also make a report to local law enforcement. If the suspected child abuse or neglect involves you or your staff, you must inform your licensor.

ABUSE AND NEGLECT Once you file a report with CPS you are immune from any civil or criminal liabilities. When you report a case of suspected child abuse, CPS has the right to interview the child in your care and look at any of your files. You can be charged with a gross misdemeanor if you do NOT report a suspected case of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. So how will you know when you need to report a case of abuse or neglect? Not all acts of abuse involve physical harm to a child. Mental cruelty, threats, and failure to adequately supervise children are also types of abuse and neglect. The pamphlet, “Protecting the Abused and Neglected Child (DSHS [X]),” outlines indicators of physical abuse and neglect, emotional abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse. Your licensor can supply you with a copy of the pamphlet which offers more detailed information. See next slide for helpful tips for recognizing possible abuse or neglect.

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF A CHILD The Child:  Shows sudden changes in behavior or performance  Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parent’s attention  Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.  Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen  Lacks adult supervision  Is overly compliant, passive or withdrawn  Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes  Offers conflicting explanations as to how the injury occurred  Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school  Is frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home  Shrinks at the approach of adults  Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

MORE POSSIBLE SIGNS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT