Health And Safety

At all times safety is a prime concern. TEACHERS MUST PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO EVERY SAFETY DETAIL. It is important that you read and = adhere to all MDS policies and procedures as outlined in the MDS OSHA MANUAL. Babies are never to be left unatte= nded.

· = Wash you ha= nds when you enter the classroom. Wash them as often as possible.

· = Baby’s hands are to be washed often.

· = Read and kn= ow the allergies of each child in the class.

· = Babies are = only to be fed what their parents send in. If a teacher feels a food might cause a child to choke- do not feed = it to the baby.

· = Every care = giving interaction must be charted in detail and initialed.

· = Babies are = never to be given items that are “chokeableR= 21; in size.

· = Toys that h= ave been put in a child’s mouth must be put in a bag to be washed.

· = The “= Needs and Services Plan” must be posted on the back on the chart and continually referred to. We n= ever deviate from the parents written instructions without the parents’ ve= rbal authorization.

· = Pay close attention when about to give the baby a bottle to make sure is the correct = one.

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The Environment:

The classroom environment is a major part of a baby’s world. The room needs to be as homey and = comfy as possible. Furniture needs = to be arranged so babies can freely explore.&nbs= p; There are to be soft places where babies can crawl and relax.

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The room needs to be esthetically pleasing.&nb= sp; It is wonderful to display photographs of each child and his family. Often each family mak= es a photo collage for their child and we laminate it and hang it at eye level.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Toys, books, dolls, and stuffed an= imals need to be available for babies to reach.&= nbsp; The babies need areas to climb, crawl, and be away form the group.

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Cleanliness in the environment is of utmost importance. The cribs must disinfected daily at closing or in between naps if used by more than one baby, sheets and blanke= ts washed daily, toys washed daily, and the environment disinfected daily.

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Nourishment, Bottles and Food

Children are never to be forced or cajoled to eat. Bottles and meals are to be a pleasurable, social time. It = is important that teachers prepared the food before the children and sitting a= nd waiting. Whenever possible te= achers need to support self-feeding and autonomy..

1. Teachers are to wash their hands before preparin= g or serving food.

2. Teachers are to help babies and toddlers wash th= eir hands before eating.

3. Infants are only to be fed what the parents send in. There is no exception = to this rule.

4. All bottles must be premixed and prepared by the parents at home ready to be served. Teachers may NEVER mix formula or prepare bottles.=

5. All bottles and sippy cups must be plastic (no glass) and labeled with the child’s name (includi= ng the caps) and date (masking tape works well for this).

6. All pacifiers need to be labeled with the child’s name.

7. All formula, milk, and breast milk must be kept = in the refrigerator prior to heating to serve.

8. All formula, milk, and breast milk must be disca= rded after one feeding. A fresh bo= ttle is to be used with each feeding. NEVER reheat a bottle for a child.

9. All bottles go home at the end of each day. Used bottles need to be rinsed out before returning them to the parent. Used bottles are NOT washed.

10. All breast milk must be heated in a bottle warme= r, NOT the microwave. The microwave = may be used to warm milk and formula. Be sure to not heat it for more than 30 to 45 seconds. BE SURE TO SHAKE THE BOTTLE TO = MIX THE LIQUID AND TEST THE TEMPERATURE BEFORE GIVING IT TO THE CHILD TO MAKE S= URE THERE ARE NO HOT SPOTS.

11. Bottles may never be propped up for an infant. Feeding is an intimate time that promotes bonding and connection. A teacher needs to hold a baby and look at him when giving a bottle.

12. A baby old enough to hold her own bottle still n= eeds to be held. A baby might sit = next to a teacher, but the connection is still important. Older babies may not walk around w= ith bottles.

13. The liquid in bottles or cups must be discarded = after being served.

14. Baby food in a jar must be transferred to a plas= tic bowl before serving. Any left= over food in bowls needs to be discarded after one feeding. Unused food left in the infant jar= must be refrigerated and can be stored up to 72 hours. Jars must be labeled with the chil= d’s name and the date it was opened.

15. Teachers may mix infant cereal with formula/milk= or water.

16. Served food must be discarded after a meal.=

17. In toddler environments, all perishable snack fo= od that we serve must be kept in the refrigerator or freezer and labeled with = the date it was opened. Once open= ed the food can be kept for no longer that 72 hours. Mild or predated items must be tos= sed out when the date expires.

18. All perishable food that we open and date must be discarded and refrigerators cleaned out every Friday. This includes all staff food.

19. All non-perishable snack foods such as crackers, flour, cereals, etc. must be stored in sealed containers labeled with the d= ate they are opened.

20. A back up supply of infant food and formula must= be kept on site. Parents provide= this for their child.

Diapering Procedures:

Diapering is a very intimate, special time and a dynamic opportunity to bond and communicate with one child.

· = Gather all = the supplies you might need. This includes: wipes, paper towels, diapers, plastic gloves, fresh clothes, and sanitizing solutions.

· = Keep one ha= nd on the child.

· = Involve the child. Explain that you can s= ee or smell that they need a diaper change. Say, “I need to pick you up and change your diaper”. Pick the baby and bring the baby t= o the changing table.

· = Talk to the= child during diapering procedures. = Tell him what you are doing, why you are doing it, ask questions, and make faces, smile, and sing.

· = Put paper o= n the table.

· = Put gloves = on your hands.

· = Remove the clothes from the child. Remov= e the diaper. With one hand on the = child throw the wet diaper away. If= it is soiled place it in a plastic bag and seal the bag.

· = Wipe the ch= ild using wipes or water (as prescribed by parents). Always wipe a child front to back.= Make sure you clean the child thoroughly.

· = Apply cream= s or ointments as prescribed by parents.

· = Put a clean diaper on the child.

· = Remove the = gloves from you hands.

· = Put clothes= back on the child.

· = Remove the = child from the changing table.

· = Remove the = paper from the table, spray the table with envirocare= , and wipe.

· = Wash your hands.

· = Wash the child’s hands. Holding = small children over a sink could be frightening and awkward, so take extra care.<= o:p>

· = Chart the d= iaper change and initial what you chart.

Walks in strollers:

Walks are a wonderful opportunity for babies to learn. They experience the world through = smells, sounds, sights, objects they touch, and weather conditions. Teachers need to use walks as opportunities to expose babies to the world. Walks are not a time for teachers = to hang out and chat.

· = Only tea= chers who are approved by the director may take children for a walk.

· = Chat and si= ng with babies while you put them in the strollers. Waiting is difficult for them.

· = Children mu= st be properly secured in safety equipment. Babies may not be propped with pillows. If a child is not strong enough to= sit up – he shouldn’t.

· = Walks are n= ot a method to get children to sleep. Children who fall asleep must be transferred to a crib upon their return.

· &n= bsp; A walk shou= ld be twenty to thirty minutes. Occasionally a longer walk is appropriate. Teachers are to sign the group = out and write the route they are taking.

· &n= bsp; If a teache= r is alone she must stay in front of the school, and take the cell phone or walk-talkie with her.

· &n= bsp; Teachers ar= e to talk and sing to children as they walk.

· &n= bsp; Babies are = never to be propped up with pillows or have bottles while on walks.=

· &n= bsp; The field t= rip emergency backpack must be taken on all walks.

· &n= bsp; Substitutes= are never to walk babies alone.