1. Promoting Children’s Safety
Chapter , 4.4.7,
Herr, Judy. Working With Young Children. The Goodheart-Wilcox Company, Inc

2. Dangers in a Child Care Center
Electrical outlets, cleaning supplies, woodworking tools, outdoor climbing, equipment, cooking tools
Many accidents can be prevented

3. Accidents are more likely to occur when the routine has changed, when staff are busy, absent, or tired
Children can also be in danger through abuse – teachers must be aware of the signs

4. Be alert to dangers and keep the children safe
Know the safety limits and procedures
Know the legal responsibilities for protecting children
Consult licensing standards

5. Safety Guidelines Supervise children at all times
Maintain at least the minimum adult-child ratio required by the state
Develop safety limits
Provide a safe environment

6. Practice fire safety
Develop plans for weather emergencies
Know emergency procedures for accidental poisonings

7. Recognize signs of child abuse and report known or suspected cases
Teach children how to protect themselves from sexual assault

8. Proper supervision of children
Keep your back to the classroom wall
Focus on the interior of the classroom
Entire room should be visible
Move closer to children who might need extra attention

9. Adult-Child Ratio Must maintain state regulations
If not followed, risk having license revoked or a citation indicating non-compliance
If injuries occur when not enough supervision, staff liable

10. Developing Safety Limits
Limits – guides to actions and behaviors reflecting the goals
Most important limits – safety – protect children in the classroom
Clear, simple, and easy to understand

11. Walk indoors – do not run!
Use blocks for building – not hitting!
Wipe up spills right away.
Tell the teacher when equipment breaks.
Always fasten seat belt when riding in a motor vehicle.

12. Always use safety straps on equipment when available.
Climb the ladder to go up the slide. Do not walk up the slide from the bottom.

13. Remind children of the limits/rules – they will forget
Teach children to clean up their own spills – remember to praise children who remember without prompting

14. Providing a Safe Environment
Choose safe toys
Supervise children using the toys – often will use them in ways not intended
Age appropriate
Check toys often for safety – sharp edges, stitches coming out, splintered or broken off pieces

15. Stay informed of safety standards changes
Check current toys when new standards are issued

16. Playground Equipment Staff duties when on playground:
Plan play yard with safety in mind
Select safe yard equipment
Evaluate existing equipment
Upkeep and repair, as needed
Supervise, supervise, supervise

17. Transportation
Motor vehicle accidents – greatest threat to children’s lives
Safety door locks and safety restraints installed to manufacturer’s specifications

18. Infants up to 22 pounds in an infant carrier; infant carrier should be installed facing the rear
Safety seats should be installed facing forward for children capable of sitting by themselves and weighing pounds

19. Children under 54 inches in height who have outgrown car seats need booster seats, lap belts, and shoulder harnesses
Children inches tall need a lap belt and shoulder harness

20. All staff should be trained on how to properly install child safety seats
Should have first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and tools for changing tires in each vehicle transporting children

21. Building Security
Control unauthorized people from entering child care center
Key cards or keypads for front door
Locked outside gates
Observation cameras

22. Doors and Sliding Patio Doors
Rubber gaskets to prevent finger pinching
Should open to the outside
See-through panes to see if children are in front of the door
Use only safety glass
Decals at children’s eye level to prevent them from walking into the glass

23. Windows
Keep closed unless gates or sturdy screens are in place

24. Floors and Stairways Keep floors dry Use nonslip wax
Cover stairs with carpet or rubber treads and free of clutter
Well-lighted stairway with railings at children’s height

25. Electrical Outlets Cover all unused electrical outlets
Avoid using extension cords

26. Fire Safety Check smoke alarms once a month
Fire extinguishers should be: next to kitchen, in each classroom, in laundry area
Check state licensing regulations for other requirements

27. Check fire extinguisher monthly
Note any problems and replace immediately if:
Pressure is higher or lower than required
Blocked nozzle or other parts
Missing pin or tamper seal
Dents, leaks, rust, or other signs of damage
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28. Hold regular fire and disaster drills
Vary time and day of week
Need well-planned evacuation plan
Should be posted in every room
Emergency phone numbers must also be posted

29. Fire Evacuation Procedures
Escape routes and alternate escape routes
Staff assignments
Location of alarms
Leave lights on and close doors
Take roll once cleared the building

30. Sun Safety Sun’s ray strongest from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Limit time outside during these hours
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside; reapply every 2 hours and re-apply after water play

31. Shadow Rule If you can’t see your shadow, seek shade or go indoors
Protect eyes – too much sun can cause cataracts

32. Weather or disaster emergencies
Blizzards
Hurricanes
Floods
Electrical storms
Tornadoes
Earthquakes

33. Have emergency plan for each condition that applies to your area
Practice monthly where natural disasters occur
Evacuation procedures should become routine for children

34. In some weather conditions may need to close school, be sure this is part of emergency plans
Be sure to have battery-operated radio and flashlights in a convenient spot – check regularly

35. Poisonings
Children under 5 account for almost 2/3 of poisonings annually
The average home contains over 40 poisonous products

36. If you suspect a child has ingested a poison:
Remain calm
Telephone the nearest poison control center or nearest hospital emergency room and ask for instructions

37. Emergency Procedures for Poisonings
Call local poison control center or nearest emergency room
Provide specific information – symptoms, what first aid procedures have you done, what substance taken and how much, when, age and weight of child

38. All first aid stations should have an emetic – substance the induces vomiting
NEVER give a child syrup of ipecac UNLESS instructed to do so by the poison control center

39. Leading cause of poisoning in children: plants
Ask florist before purchasing a plant for classroom
Teach children to NEVER put leaves, flowers, or berries in their mouths

40. Neglect and Abuse
Number of abused and neglected children has tripled in past 25 years
90% of abusers are family members
3 leading factors: financial problems, substance abuse, stress of handling parenting responsibilities

41. State law requires child care workers, as well as a long list of others, to report suspected abuse
Follow your center’s procedures for reporting

42. Studies indicate the abused child grow into troubled adults, more likely to drop out of school, be unemployed, and commit violent crimes
As parents also at high risk of being an abuser

43. 4 Types of Child Abuse Nonaccidental Physical Injury
Most visible – bruises, bites, burns, or other injuries
Inflicted on purpose
Often refuse to discuss

44. Wear clothing to hide – may be unsuitable for weather
Unusual fear of adults

45. Neglect
Not given basic needs of life – proper food, clothing, medical attention, or shelter
Unsupervised for long periods of time – intentional or unintentional

46. Clothing - too little, dirty, unsuitable for weather
Overall, poor grooming
Malnourished, may ask to take food home
Constant fatigue, illness or poor dental care

47. Possible signs of neglect:
Arrives early or picked up late
Inappropriate of unclean clothing
Always seem hungry
Medical needs unmet

48. Poor hygiene resulting in odor
Appears fatigued or falls asleep

49. Emotional abuse Abuse of self-concept through words or actions
Lose self-esteem
Insufficient love, guidance, and/or support from parents or guardians

50. May repeat certain behaviors over several months
Refusal to talk
Unusual unpredictable behavior
Rare smiling or laughter
Excessive clinging or crying

51. Withdrawn behavior
Destructive behavior
Poor motor coordination for age
Fear of adults

52. Sexual abuse
Forcing a child to view or engage in sexual activities with an adult
Rape, fondling, indecent exposure
Incest – sexual abuse from a relative
Molestation – sexual misconduct by someone outside the family

53. Signs Trouble walking or sitting
Itching, swelling, or bruising in genital or anal areas
Bruises in mouth and throat
Pain when urinating

54. Poor peer behaviors
Disruptive or aggressive behaviors
Regress into infantile behaviors – thumb-sucking, bed wetting, baby talking
Lack of appetite
Express affection in inappropriate ways

55. Protection Education Plan for children’s safety
Children need to know how to protect themselves and how to deal with dangers outside the classroom

56. Liability
Child care centers primary responsibility is to ensure safety and health of children
Education is secondary
Can be punished by law for not ensuring primary responsibility

57. Child Care Staff can be liable for NOT doing the following:
Obtaining signed health forms from licensed physician for each child
Requiring staff to have an approved physical and background check
Providing safe indoor and outdoor equipment

58. Operating a center with required adult-child ratio
Providing proper supervision
Providing proper food storage
Maintaining fence and door locks in proper condition

59. Providing staff with information about children’s special needs
Refraining from physical punishment
Providing a safe building
Removing children who lack self-control and are a hazard to themselves and others

60. Covering electrical outlets

61. Child Care Staff must: Keep constant watch over center’s environment
Ensure environment is safe and healthy
New teachers receive support needed

62. Forms Every center should have forms for safety and health
Direct the care of children and protect the staff from possible liability
Injury report forms and various release or permission forms

63. Permission forms for: Special screening Walks around the neighborhood
Authorized people to pick up child
Transportation

64. Privacy Law Designed to protect children
Child’s record cannot be given to anyone without parents’ permission
Reports can only be given with written permission of parents

65. Once written permission given, records must be released within 45 days
Parents have unlimited access to records
Developmental records
Screening information
Parent meeting planning sheets and summaries