Competency Goal 1: Safe, Healthy, Learning Environment

In my child care setting, I work hard to provide all children with a safe and healthy learning environment. I research and follow strict standards available from the state related to preventing and reducing injury and illness, helping children feel safe, following sound nutrition and fitness practices, and creating an enriching learning environment.
My goal is to set up and maintain an environment that reduces the risk of injury to children. Because children lack the judgment to avoid hazards and because children learn by doing and interacting closely with others and their environment, injury can happen frequently in a child care setting. I accomplish this goal by keeping furniture and equipment in good repair and only having age-appropriate materials available to children. I inspect my environment (inside and outside) every day and I alert my director when I see a potential hazard. If there is an injury, I practice the correct First Aid guidelines and I inform the parent and the office in an accident report. I make sure that children are always cared for by qualified, responsible and healthy adults, so I make sure that staff files are complete and up-to-date. I am also diligent about maintaining emergency cards on each child and making sure that only authorized persons are dropping off and picking up. I am also always watching my children for signs of child abuse and neglect. I also want children to feel safe in my environment, so I frequently talk to children about how to treat each other, how to express feelings in a safe way, and what to do if they do not feel safe. For the infants and toddlers at my center, strict SIDS guidelines are also followed, and all classes are very careful about specific hazards such as choking, playground safety and allergic reactions. Finally, the key to prevent injury is