Healthy Childcare Consultants, Inc.

These training programs are based on national recommendations and standards, including Head Start Performance Standards. The specific Performance Standards addressed by each training program are listed below.

Administration Of Medication

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(1) Labeling and storing, under lock and key, and refrigerating, if necessary, all medications, including those required for staff and volunteers;

(2) Designating a trained staff member(s) or school nurse to administer, handle and store child medications;

(3) Obtaining physicians' instructions and written parent or guardian authorizations for all medications administered by staff;

(4) Maintaining an individual record of all medications dispensed, and reviewing the record regularly with the child's parents;

(5) Recording changes in a child's behavior that have implications for drug dosage or type, and assisting parents in communicating with their physician regarding the effect of the medication on the child; and

(6) Ensuring that appropriate staff members can demonstrate proper techniques for administering, handling, and storing medication, including the use of any necessary equipment to administer medication.

Child Maltreatment: Prevention, Recognition, and Reporting

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) (5) Established methods for handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect that are in compliance with applicable Federal, State, or Tribal laws.

Sec. 1304.52 Human resources management.

(k)(3)(i) Methods for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect that comply with applicable State and local laws using, so far as possible, a helpful rather than a punitive attitude toward abusing or neglecting parents and other caretakers; and

Classroom And Nursery Safety

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) Health emergency procedures.

(1) Posted policies and plans of action for emergencies that require rapid response on the part of staff or immediate medical or dental attention.

(2) Posted locations and telephone numbers of emergency response systems. Up-to-date family contact information and authorization for emergency care for each child must be readily available.

(3) Posted emergency evacuation routes and other safety procedures for emergencies (e.g., fire or weather-related) which are practiced regularly.

(4) Methods of notifying parents in the event of an emergency involving their child.

(d) Injury prevention.

(1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child:

(7) Grantee and delegate agencies operating programs for infants and toddlers must space cribs and cots at least three feet apart to avoid spreading contagious illness and to allow for easy access to each child.

(f) First aid kits.

(1) Readily available, well-supplied first aid kits appropriate for the ages served and the program size must be maintained at each facility and available on outings away from the site. Each kit must be accessible to staff members at all times, but must be kept out of the reach of children.

(2) First aid kits must be restocked after use, and an inventory must be conducted at regular intervals.

Disaster Preparedness

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) Health emergency procedures.

(1) Posted policies and plans of action for emergencies that require rapid response on the part of staff or immediate medical or dental attention.

(2) Posted locations and telephone numbers of emergency response systems. Up-to-date family contact information and authorization for emergency care for each child must be readily available.

(3) Posted emergency evacuation routes and other safety procedures for emergencies (e.g., fire or weather-related) which are practiced regularly.

(4) Methods of notifying parents in the event of an emergency involving their child.

(d) Injury prevention. Grantee and delegate agencies must:

(1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

(f) First aid kits. (1) Readily available, well-supplied first aid kits appropriate for the ages served and the program size must be maintained at each facility and available on outings away from the site. Each kit must be accessible to staff members at all times, but must be kept out of the reach of children.

(2) First aid kits must be restocked after use, and an inventory must be conducted at regular intervals.

Emergency Situations

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) Health emergency procedures.

(1) Posted policies and plans of action for emergencies that require rapid response on the part of staff or immediate medical or dental attention.

(2) Posted locations and telephone numbers of emergency response systems. Up-to-date family contact information and authorization for emergency care for each child must be readily available.

(3) Posted emergency evacuation routes and other safety procedures for emergencies (e.g., fire or weather-related) which are practiced regularly.

(4) Methods of notifying parents in the event of an emergency involving their child.

(d) Injury prevention. Grantee and delegate agencies must:

(1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

(2) First aid kits must be restocked after use, and an inventory must be conducted at regular intervals.

Field Trip Safety

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) Health emergency procedures.

(2) Up-to-date family contact information and authorization for emergency care for each child must be readily available.

(4) Methods of notifying parents in the event of an emergency involving their child.

(f) First aid kits.

(2) First aid kits must be restocked after use, and an inventory must be conducted at regular intervals.

(d) Injury prevention.

(1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices;

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

Fire and Burn Prevention

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(a) Health emergency procedures.

(2) Posted locations and telephone numbers of emergency response systems. Up-to-date family contact information and authorization for emergency care for each child must be readily available;

(3) Posted emergency evacuation routes and other safety procedures for emergencies (e.g., fire or weather-related) which are practiced regularly (see 45 CFR 1304.53 for additional information);

(4) Methods of notifying parents in the event of an emergency involving their child

Sec. 1304.53 Facilities, materials, and equipment.

(a) (10) (iii) Flammable and other dangerous materials and potential poisons are stored in locked cabinets or storage facilities separate from stored medications and food and are accessible only to authorized persons.

(iv) Rooms are well lit and provide emergency lighting in the case of power failure;

(v) Approved, working fire extinguishers are readily available;

(vi) An appropriate number of smoke detectors are installed and tested regularly;

(vii) Exits are clearly visible and evacuation routes are clearly marked and posted so that the path to safety outside is unmistakable (see 45 CFR 1304.22 for additional emergency procedures).

Healthy Eating Habits

Sec. 1304.23 Child nutrition.

(d) Family assistance with nutrition. Parent education activities must include opportunities to assist individual families with food preparation and nutritional skills.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships.

(a) Family goal setting. (1) Grantee and delegate agencies must engage in a process of collaborative partnership-building with parents to establish mutual trust and to identify family goals, strengths, and necessary services and other supports. This process must be initiated as early after enrollment as possible and it must take into consideration each family's readiness and willingness to participate in the process.

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

(3) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that the nutrition education programs includes, at a minimum:

(i) Nutrition education in the selection and preparation of foods to meet family needs and in the management of food budgets; and

(ii) Parent discussions with program staff about the nutritional status of their child.

Home Medicine Chest

This program is designed to be appropriate for parent training. Note the underlined portions of the specific Performance Standards.

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(1) Labeling and storing, under lock and key, and refrigerating, if necessary, all medications. NOTE: Encourage parents to follow this standards at home.

(3) Obtaining physicians' instructions and written parent or guardian authorizations for all medications administered by staff.

(4) Maintaining an individual record of all medications dispensed, and reviewing the record regularly with the child's parents.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

Home Safety

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety

(d) Injury prevention.

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

Immunization

Sec. 1304.20 Child health and developmental services.

(a) Determining child health status.

(1) (ii) Obtain from a health care professional a determination as to whether the child is up-to-date on a schedule of age appropriate preventive and primary health care which includes medical, dental and mental health. Such a schedule must incorporate the requirements for a schedule of well child care utilized by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program of the Medicaid agency of the State in which they operate, and the latest immunization recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as any additional recommendations from the local Health Services Advisory Committee that are based on prevalent community health problems:

(e) Involving parents.

(3) Talk with parents about how to familiarize their children in a developmentally appropriate way and in advance about all of the procedures they will receive while enrolled in the program;

(4) Assist parents to enroll and participate in a system of ongoing family health care and encourage parents to be active partners in their children's health care process.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parent, and families.

Mental Health

Sec. 1304.21 Education and early childhood development.

(a) Child development and education approach for all children. (3) Grantee and delegate agencies must support social and emotional development by: (i) Encouraging development which enhances each child's strengths by:(A) Building trust; B) Fostering independence; C) Encouraging self-control by setting clear, consistent limits, and having realistic expectations; (D) Encouraging respect for the feelings and rights of others;

(b) Child development and education approach for infants and toddlers. (2) Grantee and delegate agencies must support the social and emotional development of infants and toddlers by promoting an environment that:(i) Encourages the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression; and(ii) Supports the emerging communication skills of infants and toddlers by providing daily opportunities for each child to interact with others and to express himself or herself freely.

(c) Child development and education approach for preschoolers. (1) Grantee and delegate agencies, in collaboration with the parents, must implement a curriculum (see 45 CFR 1304.3(a)(5)) that: (iv) Ensures that the program environment helps children develop emotional security and facility in social relationships; (v) Enhances each child's understanding of self as an individual and as a member of a group; (vi) Provides each child with opportunities for success to help develop feelings of competence, self-esteem, and positive attitudes toward learning.

Sec. 1304.24 Child mental health.

(a) Mental health services. (1) Grantee and delegate agencies must work collaboratively with parents for issues related to parent education) by: (iv) Discussing how to strengthen nurturing, supportive environments and relationships in the home and at the program; (v) Helping parents to better understand mental health issues.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships.

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

Newborn and Infant Care

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety

(d) (2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

Sec. 1304.23 Child nutrition.

(a) (3) For infants and toddlers, current feeding schedules and amounts and types of food provided, including whether breast milk or formula and baby food is used; meal patterns; new foods introduced; food intolerances and preferences; voiding patterns; and observations related to developmental changes in feeding and nutrition. This information must be shared with parents and updated regularly;

Nutrition Education in the Classroom

Sec. 1304.23 Child nutrition.

(b)(1) (v) For 3- to 5-year-olds in center-based settings, the quantities and kinds of food served must conform to recommended serving sizes and minimum standards for meal patterns recommended in the USDA meal pattern or nutrient standard menu planning requirements outlined in 7 CFR parts 210, 220, and 226.

(1) A variety of food is served which broadens each child's food experiences;

(2) Food is not used as punishment or reward, and that each child is encouraged, but not forced, to eat or taste his or her food;

(3) Sufficient time is allowed for each child to eat;

(4) All toddlers and preschool children and assigned classroom staff, including volunteers, eat together family style and share the same menu to the extent possible;

(6) Medically-based diets or other dietary requirements are accommodated; and

(7) As developmentally appropriate, opportunity is provided for the involvement of children in food-related activities.

Oral Health and Young Children

Sec. 1304.20 Child health and development services.

(a) Determining child health status.

(c)(3) Dental follow-up and treatment must include:

(i) Fluoride supplements and topical fluoride treatments as recommended by dental professionals in communities where a lack of adequate fluoride levels has been determined or for every child with moderate to severe tooth decay; and

(ii) Other necessary preventive measures and further dental treatment as recommended by the dental professional.

(d) Ongoing care. ...implement ongoing procedures by which Early Head Start and Head Start staff can identify any new or recurring medical, dental, or developmental concerns so that they may quickly make appropriate referrals. These procedures must include: periodic observations and recordings, as appropriate, of individual children's developmental progress, changes in physical appearance (e.g., signs of injury or illness) and emotional and behavioral patterns. In addition, these procedures must include observations from parents and staff.

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety

(a) Health emergency procedures. Grantee and delegate agencies operating center-based programs must establish and implement policies and procedures to respond to medical and dental health emergencies with which all staff are familiar and trained.

(d) Injury prevention. Grantee and delegate agencies must: (1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and (2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

Sec. 1304.23 Child nutrition.

(b) (3) Staff must promote effective dental hygiene among children in conjunction with meals.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that, at a minimum, the medical and dental health education program:

(i) Assists parents in understanding how to enroll and participate in a system of ongoing family health care.

(ii) Encourages parents to become active partners in their children's medical and dental health care process and to accompany their child to medical and dental examinations and appointments.

Playground

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(d) Injury prevention.

(1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and

(2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

(f) First aid kits.

Sec. 1304.53 Facilities, materials, and equipment.

(a)(9) Outdoor play areas at center-based programs must be arranged so as to prevent any child from leaving the premises and getting into unsafe and unsupervised areas. Enroute to play areas, children must not be exposed to vehicular traffic without supervision.

(10) (viii) Indoor and outdoor premises are cleaned daily and kept free of undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions. (x) The selection, layout, and maintenance of playground equipment and surfaces minimize the possibility of injury to children.

Sec. 1304.21 Education and early childhood development.

(a) (5) In center-based settings, grantee and delegate agencies must promote each child's physical development by:(i) Providing sufficient time, indoor and outdoor space, equipment, materials and adult guidance for active play and movement that support the development of gross motor skills;

Poisoning Prevention

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety.

(c) (1) Labeling and storing, under lock and key, and refrigerating, if necessary, all medications, including those required for staff and volunteers;

(d) Injury prevention. (1) Ensure that staff and volunteers can demonstrate safety practices; and (2) Foster safety awareness among children and parents by incorporating it into child and parent activities.

Sanitation and Disease Prevention

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety

(e) Hygiene.

(1) Staff, volunteers, and children must wash their hands with soap and running water at least at the following times: (i) After diapering or toilet use; (ii) Before food preparation, handling, consumption, or any other food-related activity (e.g., setting the table); (iii) Whenever hands are contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids; and (iv) After handling pets or other animals.

(2) Staff and volunteers must also wash their hands with soap and running water: (i) Before and after giving medications; (ii) Before and after treating or bandaging a wound (nonporous gloves should be worn if there is contact with blood or blood-containing body fluids); and (iii) After assisting a child with toilet use.

(3) Nonporous (e.g., latex) gloves must be worn by staff when they are in contact with spills of blood or other visibly bloody bodily fluids.

(4) Spills of bodily fluids (e.g., urine, feces, blood, saliva, nasal discharge, eye discharge or any fluid discharge) must be cleaned and disinfected immediately in keeping with professionally established guidelines (e.g., standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor). Any tools and equipment used to clean spills of bodily fluids must be cleaned and disinfected immediately. Other blood-contaminated materials must be disposed of in a plastic bag with a secure tie.

(5) Grantee and delegate agencies must adopt sanitation and hygiene procedures for diapering that adequately protect the health and safety of children served by the program and staff. Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that staff properly conduct these procedures.

(6) Potties that are utilized in a center-based program must be emptied into the toilet and cleaned and disinfected after each use in a utility sink used for this purpose.

(b) Conditions of short-term exclusion and admittance. (1) Grantee and delegate agencies must temporarily exclude a child with a short-term injury or an acute or short-term contagious illness, that cannot be readily accommodated, from program participation in center-based activities or group experiences, but only for that generally short-term period when keeping the child in care poses a significant risk to the health or safety of the child or anyone in contact with the child.

Standard Precautions And Bloodborne Pathogens In Early Child Care And Education Settings

Sec. 1304.22 Child health and safety

(e) Hygiene. (1) Staff, volunteers, and children must wash their hands with soap and running water at least at the following times: (i) After diapering or toilet use; (ii) Before food preparation, handling, consumption, or any other food-related activity (e.g., setting the table); (iii) Whenever hands are contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids; and (iv) After handling pets or other animals.

(3) Nonporous (e.g., latex) gloves must be worn by staff when they are in contact with spills of blood or other visibly bloody bodily fluids.

(6) Potties that are utilized in a center-based program must be emptied into the toilet and cleaned and disinfected after each use in a utility sink used for this purpose.

Transportation

This training program is designed for teachers, monitors, parent volunteers, and other adults who care for and supervise children during transportation. The purpose is to make these adults aware of their role in caring for children, emphasizing that the teacher’s classroom role (i.e., supervision) extends into the realm of transportation. Content is based on and introduces the transportation requirements; these adult can then make note of whether requirements are being met by transportation personnel. This training is not intended to replace or substitute for the in-depth training required for transportation personnel.

When to Call a Doctor

Sec. 1304.20 Child health and developmental services.

(e)(3) Talk with parents about how to familiarize their children in a developmentally appropriate way and in advance about all of the procedures they will receive while enrolled in the program;

(4) Assist parents to enroll and participate in a system of ongoing family health care and encourage parents to be active partners in their children's health care process.

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships

(f)(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that, at a minimum, the medical and dental health education program:

(i) Assists parents in understanding how to enroll and participate in a system of ongoing family health care.

(ii) Encourages parents to become active partners in their children's medical and dental health care process and to accompany their child to medical and dental examinations and appointments.