This webinar discusses how providers can work to support all children in becoming empathetic community members.

Preschool Democracy for a Civil Society: Teaching Democratic Life Skills, Dan Gartrell, Ed.D. – Early Childhood Webinars

Consider: How do the principles of safety needs and growing needs influence how you plan your program? How can you prioritize building secure attachment with the children in your program?

Keeping the children in your care safe is a constant concern. The Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center has created a tip sheet for families about safety and injury prevention for young children that offers helpful guidelines for at home, outside, in water and in vehicles. This resource can be a helpful checklist to share with families.

Safety and Injury Prevention Tip Sheet

 

Mother helping daughter (2yrs) put on coat

As of November 13, 2023, there have been 22 reports of illness potentially linked to recalled product submitted to FDA. As part of this investigation, FDA and state partners are collecting and analyzing additional product samples of fruit puree and applesauce pouches. At this time, sample analyses have not shown elevated levels of lead in any non-recalled products.

WanaBana Recalls WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches & Cinnamon Apple Sauce Due to Elevated Lead Levels | FDA

 

This four-part webinar with printable posters and resources from the National Center for Healthy Housing is specifically created for family child care providers to partner with families to prevent children and pregnant parents from coming in contact with lead and take necessary steps to remediate if lead is found in homes or via bloodwork, including links to financial assistance for lead remediation.

Babies born with high levels of lead in their blood are more likely to be born prematurely, be small for their gestational age, and grow more slowly than they should. Children exposed to lead may have developmental delays, learning difficulties, hearing loss, seizures, and more. Family child care providers can be great advocates for families in getting children tested for lead exposure and spreading information about places lead-containing materials may be hiding.

View all materials here: Lead-Safe Toolkit for Home-Based Child Care | NCHH

Staying informed about recalls that might impact your materials is one way to be sure that the items you and your children use each day are safe for them. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is the organization that tracks safety issues as well as voluntary and mandatory recalls for all the products in our homes, like the pictured cups which were recalled for lead level violations in July 2023.

To search or browse recalls, visit Recalls | CPSC.gov

To sign up for email updates from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which will notify you of recalls and safety alerts, go to: Subscriptions | CPSC.gov

 

The winter season brings with it added hazards. Child care providers can take steps to keep children safe from winter hazards.

Children need extra protection from cold weather as they are not able to regulate their body temperature. It’s vital that children wear appropriate clothing for the weather. 

This infographic created by the National Weather Service serves as a great tool to help guide what clothing is needed in the cold weather. 

Outdoor play is very beneficial for young children; however, as providers, we have to be aware of the weather. This handout created by Child Care Weather Watch can help you decide if it is safe to be outside and what clothing, beverages, and protection children need.

weather watch

Young children learn through exploration of their environment. A safe and intentional space allows them the freedom to explore, practice new skills and have fun! This is especially true for infants and toddlers as they develop and learn new movement.

This resource from the Early Head Start Resource Center explores how to create a nurturing environment that is safe and accessible for infants and toddlers.

 

News You Can Use: Environment as Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers

 

Environment as Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers PDF

 

Summer is here and if you have a safe space for children to play outdoors and have fun in the sun. This fact sheet from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps you understand how to protect yourself and the children in your care from over-exposure to the sun.  It includes information on how to read the UV Index and how to be safe when in the sun.

Action Steps for Sun Safety

These colorful mini-posters can be posted near the sink as reminders for when to wash your hands and hand washing procedures.

Remember to Wash Your Hands Poster

How To Wash Hands Poster

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