Safety

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SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE!

The very most important responsibility we have is to keep our children safe at all times.

Because children are naturally curious and lack the experience to sense when something is dangerous, our responsibility to ensure their physical well-being is of utmost importance.

This naturally curiosity often leads children into places they should not be, and they move much more quickly than you think! For that reason, it is really really really important that your attention remain on the children at all times!

Safety

THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY RULE: SUPERVISION!

Each classroom must provide a certain number of care providers depending upon how many children are present. These are called “staff-to-child ratios” and they are VERY important.

The ratio for each age group is posted in the classroom. Make sure you know what the ratio is and that you ALWAYS maintain this number whether your children are inside, outside, or being transported. This includes for even short amounts of time when you will “only be gone for a minute.”

(Please note that the ratios indicated above are Basic Beginnings’ desired ratios. Wyoming Child Care Licensing Ratios are indicated in parenthesis and may be used for short periods of time when necessary.)

Safety

Problem-solving if you have too many children to meet these ratios

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If you find yourself in the position of being out of ratio at any time, you MUST take action immediately. A call to the front desk to alert a member of the administrative team will ensure that you are not held responsible for this violation of our Wyoming Child Care Licensing Rules.

This could happen if:

• a child shows up earlier than scheduled.
• a coworker is late for their shift.
• a coworker leaves the room for ANY reason for ANY amount of time, including for a bathroom break, to run to the kitchen, to make a phone call, etc.
• a child stays later than scheduled.
• a coworker leaves for the day before enough children have been picked up.

Failure to notify the front desk if you are out of ratio will result in disciplinary action against you, as well as anyone who violated our policies and procedures regarding classroom ratios.

Safety

Children must never be left unattended for any length of time, even for “only a second.”

Supervision for infants and toddlers is defined as “by sight and sound at all times.” You should be able to SEE and HEAR every child simply by turning your head, without moving the rest of your body.

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If your attention will be elsewhere, perhaps while you attend to one child’s immediate needs, it is important to make certain that someone is able to see and monitor the rest of the children. You will need to consider this when you arrange your classroom, especially cribs/cots at naptime and the placement of your diaper changing station.

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Be on the lookout for blind spots in your classroom and on the playground!!

Safety

Supervision for children 3 years of age and older is defined as “primarily by sight; supervision for short intervals by sound is permissible, as long as teachers check frequently on children who are out of sight.” That means:

• They may use the bathroom alone, or get a drink, but you must still be able to hear them clearly at all times,
• You must be able to see them within seconds in case they need anything, and
• You must check on them visually if anything comes up, OR IF THEY ARE TOO QUIET! Sometimes those are the times they get into the most trouble!

Make certain you have considered any blind spots in the classroom or on the playground. If you cannot see or hear a child, they are unsupervised!

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It is also not enough to just be within sight and sound of a child. You must be undistracted, too, so please remember that your focus must remain on the children, NOT your co-workers, or your cell phone, or any other distraction.

Safety

Counting is a simple way to ensure that you know where every one of your children are, regardless of where you are or the activity at hand. This is especially important when children are outside on the playground, on a field trip, or transitioning in or out of your classroom for any reason. A sticky note or a quick text message to the front desk with the number of children will ensure that you don’t forget what that magic number is! After all, it will change throughout the day as children join or leave your group. If you realize that you do not immediately see all of the children, you must use your attendance list to determine who is not present and return them to the group immediately.

Please be sure to have your attendance list with you at all times. In an emergency you will need to account for every child individually. This is also true if you are leaving the facility for any reason, such as a walk or a field trip, or any time children are being transported in our vehicles. The “name-to-face” feature on our ProCare app is a valuable tool to ensure accuracy and to document your head count.

Safety

You should be able to immediately answer this question:

“How many children do you have right now?”

and this one:

“Where is _______________?”

Use a sticky note on your attendance sheet to help you remember that magic number, and use SIGHT and SOUND to ensure that every child is accounted for and safe at all times. Trust me, we do know it feels like this sometimes:

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Safety

The Procare “name-to-face” feature is quick and easy, and it is especially important when you are transition in and out of your classroom. ! If you are away from the center, you may even choose to use your cell phone as a “hotspot” to allow you to connect your tablet when there is no wifi available.

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Here are the instructions for using the “name-to-face” feature:

Safety

With very young children, your attention to where they are and HOW they are looks a little different. Your ability to SEE each of them, as well as HEAR them, is critical for their wellbeing. When infants or toddlers are napping, please be certain that you have a clear view of all children in cribs and cots from where you are sitting.

You should be able to clearly see every single child without moving from your chair. If you aren’t sure about your room arrangement, please talk to the front desk!

Curtains and blinds may be used in the classroom, but they must never completely block the light in the classroom. You must be able to check every infant’s facial coloring from where you are sitting. And a parent looking through the one-way mirror should always be able to see into classroom.

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Safety

BATHROOM SAFETY

When a potty-training toddler or two-year-old is using the restroom, they must be supervised by both sight and sound at all times.

This can be achieved by keeping the bathroom door open and monitoring them from the doorway, which allows you to keep an eye out for other children in the classroom at the same time. Do NOT leave them for even a minute!

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Preschool aged children 3 years and older may be allowed some privacy when using the bathroom. They must still be supervised by SOUND at all times, but may be allowed to use the restroom without being watched for no more than 2 minutes.

Please make sure you remain in the area, can hear them at all times, and are immediately available to them if they need help.

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WHAT IF YOUR CLASSROOM IS OVER RATIO?

We know that sometimes the inevitable happens-such as when a child shows up early because a parent had an emergency, or a child gets a bloody nose and must be attended to immediately. Please do not ever leave your classroom over ratio for even a few minutes.

Should you find yourself in ANY situation without the correct number of adults to safely care for the children, please notify the front desk immediately! The telephone system throughout our center makes it possible for you to push a button and reach any of the administrators or even the classroom next door to you.

Safety

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While the administrative team does their best to make sure the right number of adults are always present, they must count on you to keep them informed when something doesn’t work as planned, so don’t be shy! Let us know immediately if you need help for any reason. Sometimes even the required staff-to-child ratios aren’t enough, and we understand that sometimes you just need an extra pair of hands.

Safety

OUTDOOR SAFETY

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Supervision on the playground is especially �important, since this is where children are �testing their limits. “How fast can I go?” �“ How high can I climb?” and “How far can �I throw?” are all important questions for children, and they are answered primarily during outside play.

When your class is outside, please exercise extra care that the children are always within your line of sight. They enjoy hiding and exploring in places where you might not expect, so be very aware of where they are at all times. There should always be one adult present in every area where children are playing. And remember, ratios of staff to children are the same outside as they are in your classroom!

Frequently counting the children will help you make sure everyone is still accounted for. You should also have your attendance sheet or your tablet with you at all times so you can quickly and easily match faces to names.

Safety

Some areas outside are prone to more significant injury, like swings and riding toys.

Please make sure one teacher is always posted near the swings. Reinforce the rule that no child may be allowed in the area around the swings unless they are actually swinging. A swinging child is moving quickly, has lots of momentum, and has no control over stopping quickly or avoiding another child.

Please monitor the use of our tricycles very carefully. Enforcement of rules like “one-way traffic” and “stopping at the intersection” are fun for the children, and ensure that swiftly moving vehicles will not endanger other children.

Safety

Before taking your children outside, please check the play yard for items that shouldn’t be in the hands of children. While rare, occasionally we find discarded items thrown on our playground by someone else in the neighborhood. Be on the lookout for anything that shouldn’t be there.

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Although all of our playgrounds are fenced,

you cannot relax your supervision of the children at any time. When you take your children outside, please check to make sure all gates are closed and secured. Check the fence to make sure it is in good condition and shows no gaps or sharp edges. And if you ever notice something that you can’t fix, make sure you report it promptly to the front desk so we can arrange for repairs. You can also report anything that bothers you THAT IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE CONCERN on the employee portal under the “Let Us Know” section.

Safety

Maintaining the resilient surface underneath playground equipment is something you can help is with, but only when the children are fully supervised by someone else!

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Raking the wood chips helps make sure the chips are deep enough to protect a falling child from injury. Sometimes the chips get kicked away in the most important places - under the swings, at the bottom of the slide, etc. Raking helps to keep these where they are supposed to be - keeping our kids from serious injury.

Sweeping up rocks and sand from the sidewalks helps prevent slips and falls. Sand on a sidewalk is very similar to ice on the sidewalk, and increased the likelihood of falls and skinned knees. Thanks for keeping our kids safe!

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Safety

Our Wyoming weather can be rough on our outside equipment. Please be on the lookout for any unsafe conditions. If you see anything you believe could be hazardous to a child, fix it right away, if possible. If you are not able to effectively remedy the problem, immediately move children away from the area and notify the front desk right away. (This is not our actual photo, by the way!)

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Safety

Taking the time to ensure the environment is as safe as possible will make your job keeping the children safe much easier. The choices of equipment and toys provided in our classrooms varies dependent upon the age of the children who use the classroom.

For guidance with selecting toys and furniture for your particular age group, we have the Wyoming Early Learning Foundations and Guidelines, and several other helpful publications located in the reference library near the Infant Center at North and in Jan’s office at South. These books are a wonderfully manageable way to ensure that the choices you make are developmentally appropriate for your age group.

Safety

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We spend a lot of time ensuring that our classrooms are taken care of when it comes to safety issues.

We provide childproof locks for cabinets - PLEASE KEEP THESE LOCKED AT ALL TIMES! We also have caps for electrical outlets at North; and rugs, both inside and outside, in an effort to keep the floors dry and safe.

Furniture in the classroom must be stable, especially tall furniture that could tip over. Children love to climb. All shelves or other furniture that could tip over and cause harm must be properly anchored to the floor, the wall, or other furniture.

Should you ever note any situation that you believe may not be safe, such as a broken toy or piece of furniture, please alert the administrative staff as soon as possible.You can also report anything that bothers you on the employee portal under the “Let Us Know” section.

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Safety

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Classrooms for infants and toddlers (anyone 2 years old and younger) must not use toys labeled “Not intended for children less than 3 years of age.” These toys are very common, and are not safe for children who might put toys in their mouths.

Each infant and toddler classroom also has a choke test tube available. Any item that fits COMPLETELY inside this tube is not safe for that classroom. Be careful, because this includes broken pieces of chalk or crayon, as well as marker caps! The item has to be safe and STAY safe!

If an item fits inside the tube but any part of it extends outside of the tube, it is okay to use.

With ANY item a child may play with or use, supervision is STILL important!!

NO!

NO!

OK

Safety

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Even though the classrooms have been checked to be sure they are safe for children, there are areas of our center that are not.

Please do not allow children:

• in any of the storage rooms
• in the Director’s office
• or outside in the shed.

Children are not allowed in the kitchen at any time or for any reason.

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These rooms are not adequately child-proofed!

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EMERGENCY DRILLS

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Basic Beginnings holds regular fire drills, tornado drills, and general emergency drills. The instructions for these are posted in each classroom. These procedures and drill are designed to keep everyone, both children and adults, safe.

Please make sure that you have read these instructions thoroughly. They explain exactly where you are to take your children, what you need to take with you, and when you may return to your classroom after the scene is officially deemed safe.

These procedures vary from classroom to classroom, so please review them when you first arrive to a new room.

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CONFIDENTIALITY

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For each child who is enrolled at Basic Beginnings, a permanent file is kept which contains all of the information we have about a child. This information, by law, must be kept strictly confidential.

A confidentiality statement is included in the Employee Packet. Please be sure you have read this, understand it, and signed the form.

You, as the care provider, have access to information regarding the children you have in your care. Please request assistance from the front desk when you would like to review your children’s files.

You may NEVER discuss a child with anyone ( or in the presence of anyone) who is not their authorized parent or guardian, or another member of our staff.

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AUTHORIZED ADULTS

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Also included in the information maintained in the children’s files is a list of who is authorized to pick up that particular child. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Please do not EVER release a child to someone you do not know or who is not authorized. If you are in doubt, please check with the administrative staff before you release the child.

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ALLERGIES

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Also included in the children’s files are lists of any items, including foods, to which they are known to be allergic. ALLERGIES CAN BE DEADLY!!!!

Please make sure that your classroom has an allergy list posted, with photos of the children, and that it is kept up-to-date.

There is a food allergy notice attached to your food care from the kitchen. It includes the child’s name, photo, the food they may not be given, and an appropriate replacement for that food.

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TRANSPORTATION

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One of the most potentially dangerous services we provide to children is transportation. When children are riding in our vans, whether to school, an activity, or on a field trip, their chances of being hurt increase dramatically. Please use the proper restraints at all times, both for the children and for you.

Only approved drivers who are at least 21 years of age may drive Basic Beginnings vans. Drivers must also maintain current driver’s license information for the front desk, as well as an approved Wyoming �Department of Transportation Driver �History Record.

Training must be provided to all new �drivers before they will be allowed �to transport children for Basic �Beginnings.

Staff-to-child ratios must be maintained�at all times, including on the vans.

Safety

TRANSPORTATION

Inside each van are emergency numbers and a sheet detailing what to do in the case of an emergency. Before you ever drive one of our vehicles, please be sure you have read these instructions. You must have also signed a form stating that you have completed the requirements for driving a van and that you will follow our procedures.

Safety

INJURIES

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No matter how careful we are, there are instances where children do get hurt. Most of these injuries are minor in nature, such as a scratch, a bruise, or a bump on the head. However minor they may appear to be, they are NEVER minor to the parent.

Please complete an injury report form any time a child gets hurt while in your care. Be sure you detail the first aid given to the child!

After you complete the form in ProCare, we will alert the parents and get their signature on the form.

WHEN IN DOUBT, FILL IT OUT! We want to be certain parents know about anything that happened to their child during the day, especially an injury!

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Safety

INJURY REPORT FORMS

NEVER use another child’s name on an injury report form for ANY reason!!!!! This is a breach of confidentiality and is a serious offense!

Please only mention actual care you gave for an injury. As cute as it sounds, “TLC” and “hugs” do not qualify as treatment for an injury. If the only first aid given was observation, please note that on the form. The parent has the right to know what care was given, and the injury report form is a legal document. For example, did you flush a scrape with running water and apply a bandaid? Did you give the child an ice pack? Did you monitor them for awhile to make sure they were okay?

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Thank you for taking care of our children’s safety at all times!

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Safety

FIRST AID KITS

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At the front desk is a fully stocked first aid kit for those times when even our attention to prevention was not enough. If you cannot safely leave your classroom to attend to an injury, just call the front desk for help.

Every classroom has a basic first aid kit to help you tend to minor injuries very quickly without leaving your classroom. This may be hung on the outside of your door on a magnetic hook when you are on the playground.

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When you leave the center for a walk (or a buggy ride!) you must take the traveling first aid kit with you. It has the same contents as the big first aid kit at the front desk, just not as much!

Every van is also equipped with a full traveling first aid kit. If you are transportation children make sure you know where the kit for your particular van is located, just in case.

Key Points to Remember About Safety

1. Ratios must be maintained at all times, without exception. If you find your classroom over ratio, it is required that you notify the front desk immediately.
2. Taking time to make sure the environment is safe is an important way to maintain the children’s safety.
3. Supervision by both sight and sound is required at all times for children under the age of 3.
4. Children 3 years and older must be supervised primarily by sight, but may be out of sight and supervised by sound for a short time, as long as you can always hear them and check on them frequently.
5. Only approved, trained drivers may transport children.
6. Injury reports should be completed for any injury, and should include actual information about how you treated the injury. You should never use another child’s name on an injury report.
7. Confidentiality means you should never discuss a child with someone who is not their parent, even if they say they “already know and are friends!”

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Key Points Review

When finished, sign your name, add the date, �and submit to the front desk!

1. Supervision must be maintained by both __________ and _________ at all times for children under 3 years.

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• To maintain _______________________ you must never talk about children, their families, or other staff members in the presence of anyone outside of the family or the classroom.

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• An injury report is only necessary when a child needs to be taken to a medical facility. True? or False?

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Signature ___________________ Date________

BB Orientation 2 - Safety

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20PComplaint-Form-0508-0002- 508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.