Chapter One: Setting Up and Managing a Safe Environment

Safety Policies Caregivers are responsible for the safest possible environment Designing a safety policy l What needs to be done?  Understand what safety hazards may be present in any child-care environment  Know hazards addressed by local licensing/fire boards  Be aware of safety hazards in the specific care environment  Know and address developmental abilities

l What needs to be done? l What process will be followed? l Who is responsible for making sure process is followed? l Are there any time parameters or limitations?

Three components of a clearly written safety policy l Process/Action l Includes guidelines l Responsible caregiver

Child Care Safety Policies Should Cover l Creating safe environments l Injury Prevention Management = forestalling or anticipating injury risk l Developing a safety plan l Methods and practices for caregivers

Creating Safe Environments A caregiver should l Know applicable safety practices for child care l Screen environment for hazards and remove l Use safety devices, where applicable l Monitor for environmental hazards

l Know developmental levels of children l Promote safety through action, word, and deed l Role model safety practices to children and parents l Be aware of conditions that contribute to injury l Closely observe children, especially during at-risk conditions

Type of Environment l Child Care Centers  Child care centers governed by licensing  Child care centers that are multi-use facilities  Child care centers that are not subject to rules and regulations l Family Child Care Homes l In-Home Child Care

The Age of Children in Care l Infants  Cephlocaudal and Proximodistal Development  Gross and Fine Motor Skills l Toddlers l Preschoolers l School Age l Multi-Age Groups

The Community Surrounding Child Care l Liabilities  Safety hazards, conditions, and behaviors The Child’s Family Environment l Safe l At-Risk

l What type of injury occurred? l How did the injury happen? l Why did the injury occur? l Where did the injury occur? l When did the injury happen? ABCs of Childhood Injuries

Injury Prevention Management Injury Triad Accessory How? Behavior Why? Condition When/Where? Child at risk for injury

l Physical and environmental hazards l Lack of safety devices Accessory

By Child l Developmental level l Emotions l Stress l Imitation Behavior

By Adult l Inattention l Lack of knowledge l Lack of communication l Lack of safety precautions l Emotions l Stress

Where l Place l Indoors/Outdoors When l Time of day l Tired, hungry, in a hurry Conditions

Anticipation l Room by room and outdoor inspection for safety l From developmental level of children in care l Accessories, behaviors, and conditions Constructing a Safety Plan for Child Care

Modifications l Removal of hazards and use of safety devices l Modify behavior using feedback, positive reinforcement, diversion, role playing through practice drills

Monitoring l Ongoing process l Formalized  Use checklists  Study injury reports  Observation is foremost activity in monitoring

Implications for Caregivers Role Modeling l Safe practices Education l Caregivers l Children l Parents

Observation l Accessories l Behaviors l Conditions Supervision

 Reality Check: Child Custody and the Impact on a Child Care Center l Children may come to care with unresolved custody issues l Defining type of custody (see page 42)

l Custody orders give clear guidelines to caregiver as to who is allowed to pick up child  Authorization by custodial parent for noncustodial parent to pick up child is possible with a signed document, not a phone call  No authorization, noncustodial parent is not allowed to pick up child

 Child care center or caregiver should not act as a mediator in cases where custody is not formal  A legal document should be provided by parent(s)  Policy for this issue should be developed and followed

l Safe staff to child ratio l Child care training l Pay attention l Avoid conflict  Reality Check: Child Care Safety Checklist for Parents

l Understand and avoid risks to health, safety, and nutrition l Use developmental appropriate practice l Facility licensed or registered, if required l Open door policy for parents