2 26 6 6 Part Two Creating a Safe and Healthful Environment
“Please give me that broken
toy,” teacher Tina Goldstein said
to the child. She immediately saw
the danger of the unsafe toy. At the
same time, Gloria Hernandez, the
center director, was checking the art
supplies. In the kitchen, the cook was
fi lling out the monthly safety and fi
sanitation checklist. All these staff
members were showing their concern
for the children’s safety by checking
the safety of their surroundings.
Dangers can be found
everywhere in a child care center,
11-1. Electrical outlets, cleaning
supplies, woodworking tools,
outdoor climbing equipment, and
cooking tools can all cause injuries.
Staff members must closely watch for
and remove these dangers. Failure to
do so may result in accidents. Most
accidents can be avoided.
Accidents are more likely to
occur when the children’s routine
is disrupted. Accidents also occur
more frequently when staff are
absent, busy, or tired.
Children can also be put in
danger through abuse. Teachers
must be aware of the signs of
physical and emotional abuse. By
law, teachers must report known or
suspected child abuse.
As an early childhood teacher,
you will need to be alert to any
dangers that threaten the safety
of your children. In addition,
your program must have safety
limits and procedures. The staff
must also be aware of their legal
responsibilities for protecting the
children in their care. Because safety
standards vary from state to state,
consult your licensing standards.
Safety Objectives
The staff is responsible for
providing a safe environment for
children. The following are basic
objectives toward this goal:
★ Supervise the children at all times.
★ Maintain at least the minimum
adult-child ratio as required in
your state.
★ Develop safety limits.
★ Provide a safe environment.
★ Practice fi re safety. fi
★ Develop plans for weather
emergencies.
Y Y Young g children are active and adventurous. They y
can c get themselves into dangerous situations in
s seconds. Supervision is necessary at all times.
Y
c
s
11-1