1. Describe the procedure you would follow to supervise a visitor to a child care centre.
When they enter the centre you would ask them what they are there for and have them sign and date the visitors book. If it were a worker for the centre i.e. plumber, then you would explain the problem that the centre is having and show them if possible where it was. If it was a new parent then you would show them around the centre and introduce them to the staff.
2. In relation to minimising risks within an early childhood setting, answer the following questions:
a) Describe the sun protection procedure at your centre.
Older children are encouraged to put on their own sunscreen on and in needed then educators will assist. Each room should have a sunscreen station that is easily accessible to the children and a mirror so that they don't get it in their eyes and to see that it's all rubbed in. Educators will make sure that all children have hats and if not make sure that they either have outdoor activity in the shade or the educators do indoor outdoor play. Educators must also check the UV before going outside. Educators must wear their hats and sunscreen to protect them from the sun and show a good example to the children.
b) How do you monitor toys and equipment and their use by children in a childcare setting?
If children are avoiding certain toys and equipment of throwing them around the room, then it should indicate to you that the children are bored of those and that it's time to swap them and for new ones. Children get bored of playing with the same toys everyday and they should be changed out regularly for different ones.
c) How do you ensure the centre’s buildings, equipment and general environment are safe and clean? Give an example of the procedures you would follow.
- Arrange for the education and care service to be cleaned by professional cleaners at the end of each day
- Ensure that written policies and procedures concerning child safe environments are developed
- Develop systems to ensure that daily checks and risk assessments of the environment are documented and that where repairs, cleaning or maintenance issues are identified, they are attended to quickly
d) List the procedures on the use, storage and labelling of dangerous products in your work placement centre.
- The centre is to ensure that all dangerous substances and equipment are inaccessible to children at all times
- Dangerous substances are to be either stored on high shelves or in lockable cupboards
- All chemicals, cleaning materials, poisons and medicines are at all times stored in their original containers, all of which should be discarded properly and carefully if found not to be in an original container
- Cleaning agents within the room are to be inaccessible to children at all times and should never be left on tables or benches
- Main chemicals for the centre should be kept in the laundry and inaccessible to children through locked doors and/or the placement of high handles. All areas where potentially dangerous products are stored should be clearly labelled with warning signs
3. Explain your centre’s procedure for the safe collection of children from care to ensure that each child is collected by an authorised person.
- When collecting a child, the person must be 18 years or over, the parent or guardian or listed person on the enrolment form as an authorised person to deliver and/or collect that particular child
- Persons not familiar to staff will be required to show photo identification in the form of a license or passport, which will be photocopied and placed on the child's file for future reference, regardless if being a parent or listed on the enrolment form as an authorised delivering and/or collecting person
- Only parents, guardians or authorised persons listed on the enrolment form will be able to collect children from the centre
- In cases where a dispute between the families is occurring, the centre will not be able to withhold a child from one parent unless a residency / custody order stamps by the court has been received at the centre. A residency / custody order received by the centre can be upheld and allows the centre to prevent the illegal guardian collecting the child. Without a residency / custody order both parents have legal access to the child
4. Describe strategies you could use to educate children about health, hygiene and safety. (Refer to EYLF outcomes where appropriate).
5. Oral hygiene
a) How do you provide information to children and families on oral hygiene and tooth decay?
b) How does oral hygiene affect children’s overall health and wellbeing?
6. How do you maintain confidentiality when discussing children’s health needs?
7. You have been directed to set up an outdoor water experience for toddlers.
a) Someone has placed bubble mixture into the water trough and the children are now drinking the mixture. What should you do?
Explain to the children that the water isn't for drinking it's for making bubbles.
b) Give an example of how you would meet individual children’s clothing requirements during this water play.
In your answer consider how you would ensure the child is comfortable and safe and you are meeting the families and services’ preferences and requirements.
Part 2: Administering medications
For the protection of both children and staff every service should have policies and procedures for administering medication to children. These policies have been developed in consultation with parents, regulatory bodies and in accordance with The National Quality Framework. Students must not administer medication.
For this task, you must refer to:
• Your work placement centre’s medication policy
• The national regulations for early childhood education and care 2011
• Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority: Medication record http://acecqa.gov.au/resources-and-templates/
1. What is the procedure for receiving medication for a child from a parent/caregiver? List all the paperwork that must be completed.
A completed medication form is required from a parent or guardian prior to medication being administered.
2. Where are children’s medications stored?
Medication is to be stored out of reach of children, either in a locked cupboard, high shelf or locked container in the fridge (if appropriate). Medication is never to be left in a child's bag and must be collected upon arrival.
3. What procedures must be followed when administering medication to children?
Staff are to check for the correct name on prescriptions, original container and expiry date. If found non compliant, educators should not administer such medication and contact the child's parent(s).
One staff member is to follow the medication form, firstly ensuring it is completed correctly, to measure correct dose and second educator is to witness the administration. Both staff members are to sign the medication chart.
The medicine is to be placed back in the correct storage facility, ready for collection.
4. Remembering that students must not administer medication, give an example of how you would assist others to implement appropriate practices.
5. What is the centre’s policy for the exclusion of ill children?
Children are unable to return to the centre until at least 24 hours of medication has been issued.
Any feedback on my answers is greatly appreciated, as is any help on the questions that i have missed
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