| Healthy Surroundings for School Age Children
How to Use This List
Go through each item on the list.
- Check off the things you already do.
- Don’t worry if you can’t check off everything!
- Use the items you DO NOT CHECK off to create an action plan for improvement.
Furniture and Space
Room Arrangement
o Materials with a similar use are placed together.
o Individual stations are set up for specific activities, such as painting, reading, etc.
o Traffic patterns don’t interfere with activities.
o Stations and play areas are easy to supervise visually.
o Required resources such as water or shelving are available in the stations.
o Quiet and noisy stations are separated.
o Appropriate play space is provided in each station.
o Stations provide a variety of learning experiences (such as an art corner, a computer area, a table for board games, etc.).
o Materials in stations are labeled and organized so that children can use them on their own.
o Additional supplies are available to add to or change the stations.
o If homework is part of the program, there is a separate area in the center that is quiet, not crowded, with suitable chairs and tables for working on homework.
o If homework is part of the program, children have access to reference materials such as a library and computers.
Furnishings for Routine Care
o Enough tables, chairs, and other furnishings for all children to eat, play, nap, do homework, and store their things comfortably.
o Furniture is in good repair.
o Furniture is child-sized.
o Routine care furnishings are kept clean and in good order.
Furnishings for Learning and Recreation
o Enough basic furnishings in good repair for learning and recreational activities.
o Enough storage for learning and recreational materials.
o Furnishings are the appropriate size and are available for daily use.
o Furnishings are well-maintained.
o Some space is available for the display of work done by the school age children and for the display of work of interest to them.
o The full range of learning and recreational furnishings is used regularly.
o Materials are labeled or other guidance is used so that children can use some learning and recreational materials independently.
Relaxation and Comfort
o There is some furniture available to children that is upholstered and soft.
o Soft furnishings are in good repair (pillow covers are washed regularly, no tears in fabric, etc.).
o Soft furnishings are regularly available to children (cushions in the reading area, couches in the music/listening area, etc.).
o Several areas include soft carpeting or rugs.
o There is a planned, soft cozy area where children can relax.
Indoor Space
o Space has good light, ventilation, and temperature.
o Space is in good repair (no peeling paint on walls, floor is in good repair, etc.).
o Space isn’t crowded with furniture.
o There is enough space for children to move around freely.
o Some natural light through windows or a skylights.
o Space is regularly cleaned (floors cleaned, rugs vacuumed, trash cleared, etc.).
o Space is aesthetically pleasing, with a light, open, airy feel.
o Adjustable blinds or curtains allow the caregiver to control the amount of natural light.
o Windows or fans allow staff to control the amount of ventilation.
Supervision
o Staff supervises children in potentially dangerous areas (for example, while using climbing apparatus or doing carpentry).
o Careful supervision of children is adjusted appropriately for different ages and abilities (for example, younger children are supervised more closely).
o Children are given more help when needed (for example, staff show children how to use new equipment).
o Staff show appreciation of children’s efforts and accomplishments.
o Staff talk to children about ideas related to their play and help to elaborate and extend their activities.
o Staff are available to coach team sports and help with activities requiting adult input.
Emergency and Safety Policy
o There is written safety and emergency procedures.
o All staff is trained in emergency and safety procedures.
o The facility has passed an official fire safety inspection.
o There is always at least two adults present, so that one can leave in case of an emergency.
o Emergency information, including contact information for each child’s parents, doctor, and dentist and written permission for medical care for each child, is accessible.
o At least one person with first aid training, including CPR, is in the facility at all times.
o There is regular safety inspections of the facility, the grounds, and equipment to identify and eliminate potential hazards.
o All staff has current first aid certificates, including CPR.
Safety Practices
o Medicines and other hazardous substances are locked away.
o Equipment is safe and in good repair.
o Outdoor playing area is free of trash, broken glass, and other hazards.
o Outdoor playing area is fenced.
o Phone is accessible for emergency use.
o Emergency procedures are posted.
o First aid supplies are well-stocked and accessible.
o Emergency numbers are posted near the phone.
o Evacuation procedures are practiced monthly.
o Parents are informed about accidents.
o Staff makes frequent inspections of grounds, facilities, and equipment for potential hazards and problems are fixed or dealt with.
o Children are taught safety rules.
o The environment is planned to avoid safety problems (for example, younger children are separated from older children during active play; outdoor play equipment is appropriately sized for each group, etc.).
o Safety information and plans are shared with parents.
o Parents are asked to monitor children so that dangerous items are not brought to the program.
Health Policy
o There is a written policy for isolating a sick child and notifying parents.
o There is written rules for managing contagious illnesses that cover exclusion of sick children, readmission, and notification of all parents.
o Staff keeps records of immunization and other health information for each child.
o Staff have all had physical exams and TB tests within the last two years.
o Staff are trained to detect signs of illness, child abuse and neglect, and report when necessary.
o The written health policy is given to parents.
o Medication is given only from the original container with written permission from parents and exact instructions.
o Caregiver has arranged for a medical consultant, such as a local doctor or nurse practitioner, to handle the staff’s health questions.
Health Practices
o An area is set aside for sick children.
o Children’s allergies and medication schedules are posted for staff use.
o Parents of a sick child are contacted.
o Staff report suspected child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.
o At the first sign of illness, a child is isolated in a separate room.
o Staff take health precautions when supervising a sick child.
o Children are taught about health practices such as good nutrition and hygiene.
o Staff provide feedback to parents about children’s physical and mental health (for example, they report concerns about hearing or vision, loss of appetite, withdrawal, aggression, depression, etc.).
o Staff assist parents to meet children’s health needs (for example, by arranging for referrals to trusted doctors and health screenings).
Personal Hygiene
o Tissues, paper towels, soap, and water are accessible to children
o Bathrooms are clean.
o Children wash their hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and after messy activities and outdoor play.
o Staff periodically check bathroom cleanliness and supplies.
o Personal hygiene is part of an educational program to promote good health care habits.
o Children have their own toothbrushes and use them after eating.
o Children are taught not to share personal items such as toothbrushes, combs, food and drinks.
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