Health and Safety in Childcare Settings
Starting something new isn’t always easy. Some of us as adults have a hard time starting new things so you could only imagine the feeling as a child. Preschool is fun and exciting. Also, health and safety are often a big first for both parent and child. Hunting for the right preschool isn’t always easy for the parent with the pressure of ensuring health and safety in childcare settings.
Making Children Feel Safe
Children want to feel safe when entering a new environment. Although safety for parents is more practical as opposed to children it’s more of a feeling. Maintaining a very clean space is key. The classroom space should be very organized. Simply make your classroom a fun and inviting space where they know they can be themselves while having fun and learning.
Health and the Young Child
The safety of a classroom goes hand in hand with the health of students. It is important that children understand the importance of health and cleanliness. Working with kids often means a lot of hands-on activity and we know that germs carry. Quality programs encourage children to wash their hands. Also, quality programs sanitize toys and other classroom objects to eliminate the spread of germs. Every classroom should also have a fully stocked first aid kit in emergencies.
Rules, consistency, and routine also enhance a feeling of safety and security for children. A consistent routine eliminates an elevated level of anxiety for some children, allowing them to know what comes next in their day without guessing. As educators we should be willing to take the necessary steps to ensure our students’ answers can be yes when questioning, am I safe here?
This blog was created by Tiffani Joynes, who is a current Child Development Associate (CDA) student with www.CDAClass.org. Tiffani is currently a Child Development Associate student with CDAClass.org with hopes of one day running her own Daycare/Preschool.
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