Core Competencies for Early Childhood
Professionals:
Healthy and Safe Environments
Early childhood professionals use practices that protect children’s health, keep children safe, and promote healthy growth and development. This includes knowledge of good nutrition and the importance of physical activity.
A. Healthy Environments and Health Needs
- Summarizes and follows program licensing regulations intended to protect the health of children and early childhood professionals
- Identifies and follows procedures to avoid the spread of infectious illnesses
- Uses care-taking activities, such as diapering, as an opportunity to foster healthy development through positive adult/child interactions
- Responds to injuries using appropriate documentation, communication and treatment protocols
- Observes the general health and mental health status of children and notes changes or problems
- Identifies local health care professionals, health services, and health resources available to children and their families
- Recognizes children’s readiness for toilet learning, and respects families’ individual toilet teaching practices
B. Safe Environments
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Summarizes and follows program licensing regulations intended to protect child and adult safety and prevent injuries
- Provides age appropriate comfort to an injured child
- Selects indoor and outdoor toys, materials and equipment that are safe, and maintains them in safe condition
- Anticipates potential safety hazards and acts to prevent them
- Identifies poisonous plants and removes them from the premises, including playgrounds
- Recognizes the dangers and eliminates children’s exposure to secondhand smoke
C. Nutrition
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Summarizes and follows program licensing regulations intended to ensure good nutrition, food preparation and service
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Recognizes and avoids health hazards in meals (choking, allergies, burns)
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Recognizes that developmentally appropriate foods are different for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
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Provides meals for children with special dietary needs as instructed
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Is aware that there are cultural differences in food-related practices
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Provides information on community programs to supplement family food resources
D. Physical Activity
- Recognizes the importance of and provides time and space for active play for all children
- Recognizes the long-term health risks of extended periods of screen media and other passive activities
- Provides appropriate periods of rest and safe sleeping environments
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Demonstrates and provides instruction for new staff and volunteers on hand washing, diapering, toileting and sanitation practices
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Encourages routine hygiene practices (brushing teeth, combing hair, and washing hands)
- Develops and implements policies regarding exclusion and readmission of sick children
- Collaborates with health and mental health professionals to ensure the healthy growth and development of children
- Provides information to families about children’s toilet learning readiness
- Follows up with parents about maintaining accurate immunization records
B. Safe Environments
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Adapts the indoor and outdoor environments to maximize the safety and independence of children, including children with special needs
- Teaches simple safety precautions and rules to children and enforces rules consistently
- Conducts periodic safety assessments of the program and environment, and makes recommendations for appropriate modifications
- Provides information to families about safety and injury prevention for children and adults
C. Nutrition
- Provides space and options for breastfeeding in privacy if necessary
- Provides meals and snacks that are appealing, nutritionally balanced, and developmentally appropriate
- Recognizes that infants and toddlers have individualized schedules for eating and resting
- Teaches children about healthy food choices
- Communicates with families about healthy food choices and foods children prefer while respecting cultural preferences
D. Physical Activity
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Plans age appropriate opportunities for children to be active and have adequate rest
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Provides information for families about children’s need for physical activity
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Informs families about appropriate clothing for outdoor play
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Documents illness and knows when to communicate with public health agencies about outbreaks of communicable disease
- Documents sanitation procedures
- Recognizes children’s interest in their bodies and integrates this interest into the curriculum appropriately
- Provides opportunities for children to learn basic health promotion practices
- Identifies, documents and reports suspected emotional or physical abuse or neglect immediately
B. Safe Environments
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Plans and implements emergency evacuation policies and procedures
- Considers safety and preparedness issues when planning field trips
- Designs and assesses safe indoor and outdoor environments
C. Nutrition
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Describes how nutrition relates to children’s healthy development
- Plans and evaluates menus to ensure they are nutritious
- Involves children in menu planning and snack preparation
- Models good nutrition and oral hygiene habits for children
- Involves families in activities promoting good nutrition and oral hygiene routines
- Uses meal times and to build children’s independence and learning
D.Physical Activity
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Makes opportunities available for children to obtain and practice age appropriate gross motor skills involving running, jumping, kicking, pedaling and ball skills
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Models good physical activity habits for children
- Involves families in promoting physical activity
©
Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center
Last modified September 26, 2005