Important to download

American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. (2011). Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards; Guidelines for early care and education programs. 3rd edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

Example

Why is this essential to quality education and care?

Intentionally not included.  You will need to complete this section before submitting a draft.

 Interpretation How does your classroom and program comply with the Program Standards?

Sub-area 7-1: Policies, Records, and Reporting

A written health care policy is provided to each staff member and to families. (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy). A health care consultant approves the health care policy. The written health care policy includes, telephone numbers (Page 1), using and maintaining first aid equipment (Page 2), care of mildly ill children (Page 4), procedures for reporting abuse (Page 5), plans for reporting and preventing injury (Page 2), medical emergency procedures including plans to be followed on field trips (Page 1), and plan for dispensing prescription and non-prescription medication (Page 4). Each teacher is required to attend a 2 hour orientation where they are trained in the health care policy and in the programs infection control procedures and implementation of policy.

A written health record is maintained for each child as a part of the child’s records in their file. All medical records obtained for each child is confidential and privileged information. All records are kept current and children are required to receive the necessary immunizations required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. An immunization form is completed and placed in the child’s file before the child is admitted into the program. (See Evidence # __ Immunization Form). Each child’s health care records include medications, individual health care plans (IHCP), referrals, incident/injury reports, lead screening, immunizations, developmental history, and date of last physical exam. (See Evidence # __ Children’s Checklist).

Children are protected from abuse and neglect while in the care of the program. Written procedures, in both the health care policy and parent handbook, are developed for handling any suspected incident of child abuse or neglect. (See Evidence # __ and #__ Parent Handbook page 22 and Health Care Policy page 5). Childcare workers are mandated reporters and are required by the law to report any suspected incidents. There is a procedure that the program follows for detecting and preventing child abuse as well as a procedure for reporting abuse. There is also a procedure for reporting center abuse where a 51A is filed and the suspected employee will not be able to work with children while investigation is in process. The program ensures the safety of all children and cooperates in any investigations regarding abuse or neglect.  I report any concerns to the lead teacher and the Director.   The Director will complete the 51A form and contact DCF.

XYZ program has a very strict policy for dispensing prescription and non-prescription medication. Families are provided with this policy prior to admission. (See Evidence # __ Parent Handbook page 13 #16). Medication will only be given with a written authorization by the parent or guardian.

The program trains all teachers administer medication using the EEC Medication Administration training.  The training is documented in the teacher’s file (See Evidence # __ ). However, only teachers that have been employed for a year or more can administer medication.

Medications are stored out of reach of children and are in the original container with the child’s name and the name of drug on the bottle (See Evidence # __ Photo with caption.) For example, a written consent from the child’s physician is required in the event of open wounds and broken skin. All topical ointments are labeled with child’s name and kept out of reach of children. An individual record for administration of medications is maintained and kept in the child’s file. (See Evidence # __ Children’s Checklist). Each time medication is administered; the name of medication, the dosage, the time, and the method of administration, along with who administered the medication must be documented. Medication is given back to the family when it is no longer needed.

Sub-area 7-2: Sanitation and Hygiene

            Teachers are responsible for making sure that children are dressed appropriately during both indoor and outdoor activities. For example, coats, hats and gloves come off as children enter the class and are put on before children go outside to play or to go home. Parents are required to send in extra clothes to put in the child’s cubby in case of any accidents such as spilled milk or toileting accidents. If a teacher feels that a child is not dressed appropriately, such as pants are to short or the child is wearing short sleeves and should be wearing long sleeves, the teacher can use the child’s extra clothes to change them. XYZ Center also has a large amount of extra clothes, stored in the teacher’s bathroom, which can be used when a child does not have extra clothes. There is also a bin of extra hats and gloves for children to use outdoors if they do not come in dressed for the weather (See Evidence # __ photo with caption).

Classrooms are cleaned periodically throughout the day and then cleaned after the room is closed. There is a cleaning list that teachers should follow when cleaning the room at the end of the day. (See Evidence # __ Cleaning List). This cleaning list ensures that the room is getting properly cleaned and sanitizing for the safety of the children for the next day. Cleaning supplies and disinfectants are located in a storage closet outside. (See Evidence # __ photo with caption). The storage closet is locked at all times. Other cleaning supplies are located underneath the sink in the kitchen where children do not have access too. (See Evidence # __ photo with caption). Every Friday the program gathers up cloth materials such as blankets, bibs, paint shirts, and cloth toys and the program sends it to be washed. All bottles, utensils, and dishes are washed in the kitchen where one sink is for washing and one sink is for sanitizing. (See Evidence # __ photo with caption).

            It is not a requirement that a child be potty trained before enrolling in the program. Toddler rooms have changing tables with proper sanitary supplies such as gloves, soap and water, bleach, wipes, diaper pale, and changing table paper. Preschool bathrooms have gloves, wipes as well as access to soap and water and bleach to properly clean the area. There are diapering procedures and toileting procedures posted which also discuss sanitation and hygiene procedures. (See Evidence # __ photo with caption). Families’ requests for potty training are taken into consideration, but if the child is not physically and emotionally ready, the program is not required to force a child to use the toilet. The director speaks with the parents to ensure them that we can take their requests into consideration, however, forcing a child to sit on the potty before they are ready is against the program’s policy.  We are currently working encouraging Mary to use the toilet at her families’ request.

Naptime is part of every classrooms daily schedule. Individual cots and blankets are issued for each child. Blankets are sent to the wash every Friday and cots are thoroughly cleaned every Friday as well. Any blankets sent in from home are sent home for laundering every Friday. All cots and blankets are labeled. (See Evidence # __ photo with caption). Any soiled items are sealed in a plastic bag labeled with the child’s name. Bowel movement accidents and vomiting accidents are washed in the sink prior to being put in the plastic bag.

Sub-area 7-3 Wellness, Illness, and Injury

            XYZ center has a written plan for the care of mildly ill children. (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy page 4). The health care policy includes special precautions with regards to infectious diseases. Children with infectious diseases such as; chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis, scabies, ringworm, pinworm, and head lice are not allowed to attend the program. Children are permitted from the center if they have over 101 degree temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, communicable rashes, or pain or discomfort that cannot be eased. They are allowed to return when their symptoms are gone. Similar policies are in effect for teachers.  For example, when teachers have the infectious diseases such as the intestinal flu, we are not allowed to work until our symptoms are gone as well. The Director at our orientation trains all teachers in infectious control procedures.  (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy page 3).

The program has a plan for preventing injury. Teachers are required to monitor their classroom thoroughly at all times during the day. Any materials or equipment that needs repairing or can be considered hazardous needs to be removed or fixed immediately to prevent any serious injuries. All substances are stored out of reach of children; for example, storage closet outside or under the kitchen sink (See Evidence # __ photo with caption). There is a process for reporting injuries at the program. Teachers are required to fill out an injury and accident report when a child is hurt. This could be a variety of things such as, scraped knee, scratches, bites, bumps, and bruises. Families are immediately informed by telephone if there is an injury or illness that requires medical attention or if the injury that breaks the skin. Families are informed of all injuries that require first aid in the form of an injury report. The injury report includes the child’s name, date of birth, date and time of injury, description of incident, description of injury, first aid administered and who administered first aid and which teachers were present during the time of the incident. (See Evidence # __ Injury Report). Families are required to sign the injury report for the child’s file and they will receive a copy of the report as well.

All teachers are required to go through first aid and CPR training. (See Evidence # __ First Aid and CPR certificate). Teachers must receive this training within 60 days after their hire date. Training is renewed annually. All current certificates are kept in staff member’s files.

Evacuations are posted in each classroom. (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy page 2). The director is responsible for assuring that there are evacuation drills done every month. Children are led out of the building single file in the event of an emergency. Infants and toddlers are put into the evacuation crib to be moved out quickly. Any child with a disability will be wheeled or carried out. The teacher nearest the bathrooms uses the attendance sheet to mark off children.  All teachers need to be sure keep count of all of their children. (See Evidence # __ Evacuation Procedure and Plan). There is a procedure for medical emergencies as well. (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy page 1). If a child is injured and 911 is called, parents are called to meet the child at the hospital and a teacher accompanies the child in the ambulance. There is an emergency permission form that is signed by the parent upon enrollment that the staff member who is accompanying the child will bring with them to the hospital. EEC is also notified in the event of a medical emergency where a child needs professional medical treatment.

There are two first aid kits; one to be kept at the program and one for field trips. The person responsible for the field trip and first aid kit is also responsible for adding anything that was used or needs to be replaced on the purchasing list to ensure that the first aid kit is always well stocked with supplies. (See Evidence # __ Health Care Policy page 2 and photos of kits with a caption of items contained and location).

Summative reflections

Overall, the program is doing well with health and safety practices.  XYZ Center ensures the safety of both the children and the teachers. There are policies that are set in place so that children and teachers are not in the center when they are sick, all medical records are kept on file, best practices are in place for toileting and diapering procedures to ensure that everything is sanitary, there are policies set in place for medical emergencies, child abuse, infectious diseases, and first aid administration. The health care policy is given to both teachers and families to ensure that all parties are aware of such policies and procedures. Teachers are required to receive first aid and CPR training to be sure that in any given emergency everyone present is aware of what step to take. The program’s priority is to keep everyone safe from harm and I believe they do a very good job doing so.

As a next step, I would take the time to go over the health care policy and procedures every few months at staff meetings. As I read over the policies for this assignment, I realized that I didn’t remember some of the information that I just went over 4 months ago when I was hired.  I think it’s very important that teachers are fully aware of all the procedures and policies and to make sure they are consistent with being familiar with them.