Goal 1: Safety
As a candidate, I provide a safe environment to prevent and reduce injuries.
One of my goals in the area of safety is to prevent or reduce injuries while children are in my care. This is an important goal because young children are often not aware of hazards in the environment or of behaviors that could cause injury. One of the ways I do this is by supervising children at all times. I always make sure children are where I can see and hear them, even when they are napping. I arrange tables and chairs in a way that I could see them. Another way I do this is by checking the child-care environment, both inside and outside. Every morning before the children arrive to make sure that outlet plugs are in place and that there are no broken toys or dangerous objects in the child care space. Outside, I check to be sure that there are no rusting equipment, garbage, sharp pieces, and that all gates are closed.
When preparing food, I make sure to wear gloves and my hair is back. When it comes to preparing, storing and serving food, there are a number of precautions that I take to ensure safety. I always keep chemicals locked up and away from children at all times. In my preschool, cleaners, first aid solutions, medications and all other toxic substances are kept in a high, flame-defiant and safety-locked cabinet.
Additionally, I always have emergency plans posted in each room.