Safer Child, Inc.

Quality Childcare Is ...

2008-10-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

We at Safer Child, Inc. (http://www.saferchild.org) are often asked about the qualities of good childcare. Here are some indicators that point to a program that's probably good quality:

Ratios: Child-to-caregiver ratios -- including children of caregivers -- are low.

Licensure & Training: The daycare is licensed -- perhaps even accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (http://www.naeyc.org/). Caregivers are licensed, and they all have adequate (and ongoing) experience and professional training in early childhood development and education. The director and all caregivers have submitted to background, criminal and reference checks. No caregivers is allowed access to children until background checks are complete. All credentials are open to you for viewing.

Basics of health & safety: Caregivers are trained, knowledgeable and supportive of the current, updated basics of child health and safety, such as: the importance of regular fire drills and inspections & health inspections; the techniques for both infant and child first aid procedures (including CPR); what are safe and appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios; that infants should sleep on their back; that no one must ever shake a baby or child; that car-safety-seats are recommended for children up to 8 years old; that toddlers and preschoolers need regular snacks and drinks; etc.

Inspections: The daycare has passed health, fire and safety inspections, and also passes your own independent observations. Regular fire and health inspections are done, and the daycare doesn't try to hide or minimize infractions.

Cleanliness: The daycare facilities are clean and well-cared for. All diaper-changing facilities are separate from eating areas. Medicines and cleaning products are kept locked away and out of reach of the children. Caregivers wash their hands and the children's hands with soap and water frequently, and especially before preparing any food.

Toys and games: The room contains lots of age-appropriate toys, books, games, building blocks, paints, puzzles, art supplies and various learning materials. New materials and equipment are added regularly. The materials are available to the children (with rules attached). The children's artwork, writing, and crafts decorate the ceiling and walls.

Playing: If you drop in to watch, you find the children playing or engaged in specific activities -- they aren't fighting, crying, wandering aimlessly or forced to sit still for long periods of time. Caregivers limit television, video watching and sweets. They seem happy to be there.

Feedback: Daycare directors/caregivers are interested in your concerns, and they work hard to accommodate you and your child. The staff meets regularly to evaluate the program and make positive changes. They are responsive to your suggestions, and open to your participation. Caregivers listen to your instructions for your child and follow them without complaint.
Professional recommendations: Other child care and child advocacy professionals -- including licensing offices, police, health inspectors and fire inspectors -- have good things to say about the facility and caregivers.

Comfort level: Your child seems happy and comfortable with the facility and the caregivers. Other parents and children seem happy and comfortable with the facility and caregivers -- even when you drop in unannounced, and you are allowed to drop in any time. You don't have nagging feelings of worry about the facility or the caregivers. There is a waiting list for the facility.

Security & Emergencies: The center closely monitors who comes in and who goes out of the facility. Only previously approved people leave the facility with a particular child, and authorities are immediately contacted in the case of an emergency. Staff who handle children in an unsafe manner are immediately relieved of their duties (staff are monitored by administrators). There is a standard procedure in place for notifying you of an emergency or illness. There also is a standard procedure for sending home children who are ill or obstructive. The center has an evacuation plan in place that is rehearsed monthly (your local fire department can review an existing plan for effectiveness).

Suitability: Your child is placed in a suitable, age-appropriate environment.

Continuity: There is continuity of caregiving from day to day and from the morning to the afternoon. When you pick up your child, you're able to find out what happened throughout the day and how things went. When you talk with your child, the details are similar to what you learned from the caregivers. (Bearing in mind that child care does have a high turnover), there isn't an unusually huge turnover of caregivers at this facility every month.

Transporting: Caregivers do not ever remove your child from the daycare without your knowledge and permission. But if your child is transported off-site, he/she is transported in a safe and appropriate vehicle with a proper restraining seat or seat belt. The daycare facility has a trained person on-site to properly install all car-safety seats.

Attention: Caregivers recognize that your child (and all children) are special and therefore worth special love and attention. Caregivers work individually with your child in addition to working with the whole group.

Attitude: Caregivers are warm, patient, comforting and responsive to your child's needs and to both verbal and nonverbal cues. They treat you and your child with courtesy and respect. They greet you and your child when you get there in the morning, and they bid you a pleasant farewell when you leave. They seem to enjoy their work, and the children respond well to them. They don't treat the children harshly or expect too much for their age.

Interaction: Caregivers physically interact with your child in playful ways, by talking, reading, singing, play-acting. They work hard to teach, guide, stimulate and nurture. Attention is given to all areas of a child's development -- cognitive, emotional, social and physical. They read to the children every day.

Routines: Caregivers establish routines and daily rituals so that your child knows what's coming and is comforted by familiarity.

Fresh air: Caregivers take your child outside every day (that weather permits) to play and get fresh air. All outside facilities are fenced, away from dangerous elements (such as busy roads, gangs and drug abusers), and the equipment is age-appropriate and safe. Caregivers go outside with the children and are with the children at all times.

Exploration: Caregivers encourage your child's daily exploration, play, thinking, testing, trying, asking, feeling, wanting -- but they keep the environment safe and disciplined. There are safety procedures in place for preventing children from wandering away from their rooms or out the door.

Discipline: Caregivers discipline your child in a gentle, loving manner. They refrain from hitting, yelling, pushing, criticizing, laughing at, or comparing your child unfavorably with other children. They do not allow the children to do any of these things to each other.

Bottom line: You have a good feeling. The children seem to enjoy being there, and you and your child have a good feeling about the facility and caregivers.

The information in this post is copyrighted. You may quote the original article. The proper citation is:
Rogers, L. (n.d.) "Quality childcare is ..." Retrieved (date) from the Safer Child, Inc. Web site: http://www.saferchild.org/quality.htm

Teaching sportsmanship

2008-09-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

When Your Child is Involved in Any Activity:
Don't force your child to participate.
If your child does participate, then be proud, and most of all -- be there.
Do listen for your child's desires, fears, and doubts -- and take them seriously. Watch for behavior that says your child isn't having fun (acting out, headaches, feigned illnesses, sleeping difficulties, performance anxiety). Give your child permission to say, "No more."
Remember that the activity is not about you -- it's about the child. Don't stake your ego or self-esteem on the outcome of the activity or on your child's performance. Remember that activities for children should be designed mostly for fun.
Do insist that the activity be safely conducted. Take the time to find out what "safe" means for that activity.
Makes sure the activity is free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco -- or sexual or gang-related activity.
Do not yourself use drugs, alcohol or tobacco during the activity.
Don't force others to accept your child into the activity, unless there are extenuating circumstances and your child is both capable and powerfully motivated to be accepted.
Do teach your child to accept it when things don't go his/her way.
Do not pressure your child to engage in age-inappropriate activities.
Don't encourage, force or condone behavior from anyone (including yourself) that's unhealthy, unsafe, or unfair.
Do support, be proud of and praise your child -- regardless of the outcome of the activity or your child's performance. If your child isn't trying as hard as you'd like, gently try to find out why. Perhaps your child doesn't enjoy that particular activity anymore, and a compromise can be found. Remember, life is short, and childhood even shorter. When in doubt, see #1 (Don't force your child to participate).
Get involved. Learn what the activity is all about. Help with sets, organization, coaching, driving, snacks, safety, supplies, promotion, etc. But leave the coaching, teaching and instruction to the folks in charge.
Don't embarrass your child (make sure you KNOW what embarrasses your child).
Don't laugh at, ridicule, criticize, yell at, or abuse your child -- or someone else's child -- for making a mistake, performing poorly or losing a competition. Do cheer from the sidelines and acknowledge great plays by all players/sides/teams.
After the game, do thank the officials and coaches. Congratulate your child and your child's teammates. Compliment other players as well on good plays or skills.
On the way home, ask open-ended questions of your child and then listen carefully to the answers. Try to be patient and allow your child to think through the answers to questions like these: How did the game go? What was your favorite part? What did you learn today? What did you wish had gone differently?
Do teach your child to play (or work) by the rules and to resolve disagreements without resorting to hostile, rude, abusive, mean or violent behavior. Make sure you do, too.
Teach your child to treat everyone else involved in the activity with respect and goodwill -- regardless of race, creed, skin color, gender or ability. Make sure you do, too.
Do teach your child to place the emotional and physical well-being of themselves and other children ahead of personal desires to win or do well. Make sure you do, too.
Do teach your child -- especially your younger children -- to value self-improvement and effort (on their part and on the part of others). Teach them to take pleasure in small gains. And then make sure you do, too.

The information in this post is copyrighted. You may quote the original article.
The proper citation is: Rogers, L. (n.d.) "Teaching Sportsmanship" Retrieved (date) from the Safer Child, Inc. Web site: http://www.saferchild.org/sportsma.htm

What Makes for a Great Parent?

2008-09-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

A Great Parent:

Shows a child unconditional love.
Is there.
Does not expect the child to be the parent, and does not inflict own needs on the child at the expense of the child's needs.
Does not subtly sabotage a child's efforts to learn, mature and excel.
Allows a child to be less than perfect. Forgives mistakes, and teaches a child how to forgive him or herself. Acknowledges own mistakes and apologizes for them.
Does not give up on a child or teen.
Loves and accepts a child who walks a different path.
Is not threatened by a child's independence, happiness, dreams, individuality, achievements, or occasional rebellion.
Shows a child consistent and loving discipline.
Is supportive, excited and interested in what the child is doing (and wants to do).
Teaches a child how to be angry or frustrated in helpful, constructive ways.
Teaches a child how to communicate in constructive, loving ways.
Teaches a child how to deal with fear.
Knows that the child's safety and well-being comes first. Does hard things if it will help the family.
Stands up for a child. Protects the child from dangerous and harmful situations or people.
Is willing to learn from others -- including the child.
Teaches a child how to protect and take care of him or herself (financially, physically, emotionally).
Sets a good example in life, love, happiness, morality, friendships and daily habits.
Shows a spouse or partner unconditional (but not self-abusive) love -- and lets the child see it.
Allows a child to dream big dreams.
Takes care of self.
Makes fun and laughter regular daily activities.
Teaches a child how to see the lighter side of life.
Teaches a child that it's OK to be happy, even if someone else isn't.
Teaches a child to hope, and also to trust in him or herself.
Keeps all promises to a child.
Makes all the necessary (and some unnecessary) personal sacrifices.
Teaches a child how to resolve problems, and how to celebrate triumphs.
Praises child frequently and sincerely.
Is proud of child, and tells child so.
Encourages good behavior and discourages bad behavior. Listens to child's explanation, and allows child to suffer (non-hurtful) consequences.
Is a good listener.
Offers advice without destructive criticism.
Discusses things with child honestly and openly. Allows child to disagree in age-appropriate ways.
Knows when to let go of a situation that can't be resolved.
Teaches a child how to be positive and enthusiastic.
Knows when to let a child become an adult.
Doesn't ever stop trying to become a better parent.

The information in this post is copyrighted. You may quote the original article.

The proper citation is: Rogers, L. (n.d.) "What Makes for a Great Parent?" Retrieved (date) from the Safer Child, Inc. Web site: http://www.saferchild.org/what.htm

Disciplining With Humor

2008-08-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a suggestion for helping children learn to obey you:

Use humor: Humor is a excellent way to get children to obey. As long as they don't see your command as a game, then a funny song or funny face might swing them around. For example, you can:
* Deliberately get things wrong or do things backward.
* Tell funny stories of when you were young and did this activity.
* Sing a goofy song about the activity in a goofy way.
* Let the child help you with the activity, and in return, you get to help the child.
* Pretend something silly about the activity.
* Recall how the child had such a hard time with the activity as a baby, but now is so much older and more capable.
* If it's safe to do so, allow the child to help a younger child (or perhaps a stuffed toy) with the activity.
* Pretend to be someone else, like a favorite story or television character.
* Turn your hand into "Hand" or "Spider" (they don't need puppet costumes, so they can come out at any time), and let the child explain the activity to Hand or Spider.
* Whisper a favorite story, secret, loving comment, or song.
* Have a race -- perhaps a silly race, with mistakes on your part -- to see who can finish first.
* Emphasize how the activity will have such good and wonderful consequences.
* Sometimes you can just laugh until finally the child starts laughing too.

See other suggestions on the Safer Child Web site at this address:
http://www.saferchild.org/tipsfor4.htm

The information in this post is copyrighted. You may quote the original article. The proper citation is:
Rogers, L. (n.d.) "Tips for Effective Discipline." Retrieved (date) from the Safer Child, Inc. Web site: http://www.saferchild.org/tipsfor4.htm

Welcome to the Safer Child, Inc. blog

2008-08-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Safer Child, Inc. blog.

This blog is related to the Web site: Safer Child, Inc., located at http://www.saferchild.org/ and http://www.saferchild.com/. It's for parents who wish to provide feedback, suggestions, comments or questions relative to child health and safety.

No one's born knowing how to parent. It's okay to ask for help -- and it's smart. But there's an overload of information out there, and sometimes you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find the prince. Our goal is to help you skip the toads. We at Safer Child want you to have the most professional and accurate links (with the most up-to-date and comprehensive information) so that you don't have to slog through the Internet yourself. In the process, hopefully we're helping your child -- and the other children of the world -- be healthier and safer.

Please note: The information provided by Safer Child, Inc. is located at the web site, at (http://www.saferchild.org/ and http://www.saferchild.com/).

Thank you for visiting. We look forward to hearing from you!