Children's health and safety

Ensure the health and safety of children CHCCN301C

This unit is about ensuring the health and safety of children.

Requirements

1. Maintain a clean and hygienic environment

1. Make sure the premises are kept clean according to state regulations
2. Use appropriate cleaning agents according to state regulations
3. Follow standard precautions for infection control
4. Adequately maintain ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling
5. Follow infection control procedures where required, including personal hygiene and health procedures and to state regulations (e.g. hand washing, used of food utensils, etc.)
6. Ensure beds and bedding conform to health, hygiene and safety requirements as relevant
7. Follow state food safety and handling requirements for serving areas and for preparing and handling and storing food.
8. Ensure children are seated and supervised during meal and snack time

2. Provide a safe environment

1. Follow sun protection procedures (Hats, sunscreen, shelter, clothing)
2. Make sure tools, equipment, toys and games are appropriate to the age of the child
3. Select, check and maintain equipment to ensure safety
4. Set up the environment to ensure safety
5. Check area for hazards and reduce risks
6. Keep fire exits unobstructed
7. Dispose of waste materials safely and hygienically
8. Store cleaning materials safely
9. Serve adequate food and drinks appropriate to children's age and stage of development

3. Recognize signs of potential illness and respond

1. Report signs of potential illness
2. Seek medical help as necessary according to policies and procedures
3. Inform child's parents as soon as possible
4. Separate child from other children as required and as practicable
5. Comfort and settle child
6. Identify, manage and monitor food allergies and medical food conditions such as coeliac disease and diabetes

4. Supervise the safety of children

1. Supervise children according to legal requirements and regulations (Duty of care and community services e.g. Staff/children ratios, Never leave babies unattended in the bath or on change table)
2. Explain rules for safe play to children and implement them
3. Maintain direct contact with individuals/group. Maintaining direct contact with children will vary according to the child's age, level of independence or dependence, their safety and risk-taking behaviours, the particular activity, and he child's ability
4. Identify potential injury hazards and minimize risks. Hazards and risks may relate to, for example:
• Babies learning to eat solid foods
• Children eating
• Children learning new skills such as walking, balancing
• Particular combinations of children playing together
• Babies going to sleep with a bottle
• Risk of dehydration on very hot days
• Sunburn
• Infection
• SIDS
• Children attempting an activity beyond their previous ability
5. Explain hazards and potential hazards in the environment to children
6. Discuss emergencies and practice evacuation procedures with children
7. Use supervision as an opportunity to interact with children
8. Record and report accidents and incidents according to organization guidelines
9. Ensure age-appropriate provisions are made for children to be seated and supervised at meal and snack times

5. Travel with children safely

1. Follow safety procedures on excursions
2. Supervise children as closely as required for their ages, abilities, and the contexts
3. Develop children's road safety awareness
4. Monitor children's behaviour during travel and reinforce safe, appropriate behaviour
5. Follow relevant legal requirements (e.g. Child/adult ratios, current drivers license, check that safety seats and baby capsules are secure)
6. Instruct/remind children to follow relevant legal requirements, e.g. do up seat belts.
7. Follow procedures to account for all children.
8. Identify risk situations and respond to increase safety and minimize risk, e.g.:
• Demonstrate safe use of equipment and materials
• Gates on stairs
• Covers on electrical sockets
• Removal/locking away of dangerous substances.
• Close supervision of any children in kitchens
• Fences and gates, locking mechanisms
• Out of bounds areas
• Vacuuming/sweeping floors to remove small or dangerous objects
• Particularly close supervision in some areas
• Placing babies to sleep in positions recommended to prevent SIDS
• Children seated and supervised at meal and snack times
• Implementing child safe, child friendly policies and work practices

6. Administer medication

1. Follow your organization's policies and any legal requirements.
2. Store medication according to requirements (e.g. security, labelling, refrigeration)
3. Check medication for name, instructions and use by date
4. Document all medication administration according to procedure, including any missed and missing doses.

7. Manage and respond to allergy/anaphylaxis

1. Identify and recognize signs, symptoms and key characteristics of allergy/anaphylaxis
2. Apply organization risk management strategies for children with allergy/ anaphylaxis
3. Administer anaphylaxis medication according to your organization's policies and legislative requirements.

8. Other skills

1. Apply interpersonal skills
2. Maintain required documentation according to your organization's guidelines
3. Treat all parents and children equitably, including Indigenous people
4. Work with cultural diversity.