DCF 40 Hours Child Care (HSAN) Health, Safety, and Nutrition (Fall 2019) Graded A+

Appetite - ANSWER-A desire to eat. Isolation Area - ANSWER-A designated area for a child who becomes ill at the facility, which must be away from the other, healthy children. Safety Hazards - ANSWER-Things in the environment that can be identified as dangerous to one's health and welfare. Communicable Disease - ANSWER-Disease that can be spread from one person to another. Disinfect - ANSWER-To kill germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove all germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Impermeable Surface - ANSWER-A surface that is resistant to water, chemicals, and other fluids. These surfaces are required in areas such as changing stations, playpens, cots, and sleeping mats. Vaccine - ANSWER-A product that protects an individual from contracting an infectious disease by stimulating their immune system. Health - ANSWER-The total well-being of a person—including the physical, mental, and social self—in the absence of disease or other abnormal conditions. Clean - ANSWER-To remove dirt, debris, and germs by scrubbing and washing with soap (or detergent) and water. The process does not necessarily kill germs, but lowers the risk of spreading infection. Evacuation Plan - ANSWER-Procedures for getting children and staff out of a building; applied during fire drills and other emergency situations. Immunizations - ANSWER-The process of administering a vaccine to make an individual protected from contracting an infectious disease. Nutrition - ANSWER-The processes by which a person, animal, or plant takes in and utilizes food substances. Sanitize - ANSWER-The process of destroying or reducing organisms to a safe level; including properly cleaned equipment and surfaces, such as sinks and sleep mats. Child care programs have a responsibility to maintain an environment that will promote children's health. What is health? - ANSWER-Health is the total well-being of the child—including the physical, emotional, social, and mental self—in the absence of disease or abnormal conditions. Characteristics of a healthy environment that promote good health practices include: - ANSWER--Clean work and play areas -Proper hygiene practices -Implementation and routine practice of a written health policy Written policies regarding health practices are essential to maintaining a healthy environment in your child care program. - ANSWER--All policies should be accessible to all staff -At hire, employees should be given a copy of the policies -Rules should be posted and given to families Why is it important to have policies written? - ANSWER--To ensure parents and child care professionals are aware of procedures -To make sure everyone follows the same rules Establishing and following a written policy is an effective way of maintaining a safe and healthy child care program. - ANSWER-Following your program's written health policies will help to ensure that the children in your care have an environment that is as free of disease as possible. Observation - ANSWER-plays an essential role in determining a healthy environment and assists the caregiver in assessing the state of a child's health. A healthy child - ANSWER-has a good appetite, appearance, and activity level. How are each of the senses used to observe a child? - ANSWER-We can use our senses—sight, touch, sound, and smell—when checking for signs of wellness and/or illness. Sight - ANSWER-- look at the child's complexion; observe for signs of pain or discomfort, such as limping, droopy eyes, or a runny nose Sound - ANSWER-- listen to how the child is breathing, or if they are coughing or sniffling; listen to their words about how they are feeling Touch - ANSWER-- does the child feel warm to the touch; does the child flinch when you touch them Smell - ANSWER-- pay attention to how the child smells; for example, their breath