It's A Jungle Out There... Minimizing Hazards in the Child Care Setting ALINDA T. UZEL, EXTENSION AGENT Family & Human Development Planning District 18 SUPERVISOR, InterCounty Childcare Connection

Fundamental Resources for Children An Ongoing Relationship with a Caring Adult SAFE PLACES TO LEARN AND GROW - with high expectations An Opportunity to Participate This applies to home, school AND community! (Establishes a network of protective factors)

What Should a Good Play Area Do? Encourage play by offering: Stimulate the child’s senses through: inviting, easy access open, flowing and relaxed spaces clear movement from indoors to outdoors appropriate equipment for the age group(s) using it changes and contrasts in scale, lighting, texture and color flexible equipment diverse experiences

Nurture the child’s curiosity through: Support the child’s basic social and physical needs by being: Equipment that the child can change and manipulate materials for experiments and construction plants and pets A comfort to the child scaled to the child physically challenging

SAFE PLACES TO LEARN AND GROW As an owner/operator, director, teacher or play supervisor in a child care home or center, it is imperative you take every precaution to make your facility as safe as possible.

“SAFE” does not mean “accident proof’; it means “hazard free.”

What is a HAZARD??? a condition which a child would not be able to perceive as having the potential for harm.

How do you assess the hazards and risks in your childcare setting? Pretend you are a child and move through your facility (inside and out) on the child’s level!

WHAT MAKES A PLAY AREA S A F E? SUPERVISION AGE APPROPRIATE FALL SURFACING EQUIPMENT MAINTAINED

S = SUPERVISION CHILDREN SHOULD ALWAYS BE SUPERVISED BY AN ADULT IN THE PLAYGROUND ENVIRONMENT (What does this mean?)

A = AGE APPROPRIATE DESIGN PLAYGROUNDS SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO THAT THERE IS A SEPARATION BETWEEN AREAS FOR AGES 2-5 AND 5-12.

F = FALL SURFACE APPROPRIATE FALL SURFACE MATERIALS (CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISION HANDBOOK) MAINTAIN PROPER DEPTH UNDER AND AROUND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT USE ZONES AROUND ALL STATIONARY EQUIPMENT. (DIFFERENT FOR SWINGS AND SLIDES)

E = EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE HAVE A PLAN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AND REPAIR (Whose responsibility?) THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AGE OF EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE.

WHAT OTHER SAFETY and HEALTH HAZARD AREAS SHOULD YOU BE WATCHING FOR IN YOUR FACILITY? General Indoor Areas Toys and Equipment Hallways and Stairs Kitchen and Food Preparation and Storage Areas Bathrooms Water Play Vehicles

Do you let your children swim in a toilet? You are if you use a wading pool . 3/4 teaspoons bleach to 50 gallons of water - for 1 child Suggestion: Sprinklers, hoses or other water fun activities (Water Daisy)

What about the Sandbox? Remove toys and debris Add 3 Tablespoons bleach to a gallon of water in a sprinkling can Sprinkle generously over the sand Let dry

How can you make a SWING more safe? DESIGN APPROPRIATE TO AGE PROPER SUPERVISION ADEQUATE FALL SURFACE MATERIAL PROTECTION FOR HANDS FROM ROPES AND CHAINS COVER WITH TUBING OR OLD HOSE SPLIT DOWN CENTER

PLAY IS ESSENTIAL TO A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT PHYSICAL SKILLS - Reach, Grasp, Crawl, Run, Climb and Balance LANGUAGE - by interaction with others - evolves SOCIAL SKILLS - Cooperation, Negotiation, Taking Turns, Playing by Rules PROBLEM-SOLVING/CRITICAL THINKING EMOTIONAL - Positive Play Experiences allow feelings of Success and Capability BY ALLOWING PLAY TO OCCUR IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE SETTING, YOU ARE PROVIDING A FIRM BASE FOR A CHILD’S FUTURE SUCCESS.

An Ongoing Relationship with a Caring Adult SAFE PLACES TO LEARN AND GROW - with high expectations An Opportunity to Participate TURNS THE “JUNGLE OUT THERE” INTO A WARM, LOVING SAFE PLACE TO LEARN AND GROW!!! Thank you for your dedication to providing quality, safe care for our children!!!