Chapter One: Chapter One: Setting Up and ManagingSetting Up and Managing

a Safe Environmenta Safe Environment

Safety PoliciesSafety Policies

Caregivers are responsible for the safest possible environment

Designing a safety policy 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

What needs to be done? What process will be followed? Who is responsible for making sure

process is followed? Are there any time parameters or

limitations?

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

Child Care Safety Policies Child Care Safety Policies Should CoverShould Cover

Creating safe environments Injury Prevention Management =

forestalling or anticipating injury risk

Developing a safety plan Methods and practices for

caregivers

Creating Safe EnvironmentsCreating Safe Environments

A caregiver should Know applicable safety practices for child

care Screen environment for hazards and

remove Use safety devices, where applicable Monitor for environmental hazards

Know developmental levels of children Promote safety through action, word, and deed Role model safety practices to children and

parents Be aware of conditions that contribute to injury Closely observe children, especially during

at-risk conditions

Type of Environment 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 Family Child Care Homes In-Home Child Care

The Age of Children in Care Infants

Cephlocaudal and Proximodistal Development

Gross and Fine Motor Skills Toddlers Preschoolers School Age Multi-Age Groups

The Community Surrounding Child Care Liabilities

Safety hazards, conditions, and behaviors

The Child’s Family Environment Safe At-Risk

What type of injury occurred? How did the injury happen? Why did the injury occur? Where did the injury occur? When did the injury happen?

ABCs of Childhood InjuriesABCs of Childhood Injuries

Injury Prevention Injury Prevention ManagementManagement

Injury Triad

Accessory

How?

Behavior

Why?

Condition

When/Where?

Child

at risk for

injury

Physical and environmental hazards

Lack of safety devices

AccessoryAccessory

By Child Developmental level Emotions Stress Imitation

BehaviorBehavior

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

Where Place Indoors/Outdoors

When Time of day Tired, hungry, in a hurry

ConditionsConditions

Anticipation Room by room and outdoor inspection

for safety From developmental level of children

in care Accessories, behaviors, and

conditions

Constructing a Safety Plan Constructing a Safety Plan for Child Carefor Child Care

Modifications Removal of hazards and use of safety

devices Modify behavior using feedback,

positive reinforcement, diversion, role playing through practice drills

Monitoring Ongoing process Formalized

Use checklists Study injury reports Observation is foremost activity

in monitoring

Implications for CaregiversImplications for Caregivers

Role Modeling Safe practices

Education Caregivers Children Parents

Observation Accessories Behaviors Conditions

Supervision

Reality Check: Reality Check: Child Custody and the Impact on Child Custody and the Impact on

a Child Care Centera Child Care Center Children may come to care with

unresolved custody issues Defining type of custody (see

page 42)

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

Safe staff to child ratio Child care training Pay attention Avoid conflict

Reality Check:Reality Check:Child Care Safety Checklist Child Care Safety Checklist

for Parentsfor Parents

Understand and avoid risks to health, safety, and nutrition

Use developmental appropriate practice

Facility licensed or registered, if required

Open door policy for parents