Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to create a safe environment for children at Common Ground Childcare by preventing injuries, ensuring ongoing review of any incidents that occur, and providing continuous training for staff members. This policy will help ensure that every child in our care is safe and secure, and that all staff members are equipped to manage safety-related concerns effectively.

Policy Components:

1. Environment Safety:

   • All play areas (indoors and outdoors) are regularly inspected for potential hazards.

   • Equipment and toys should be age-appropriate and regularly maintained to avoid wear and tear.

   • Safety features like gates, padding on sharp corners, and safe storage of hazardous materials (cleaning supplies, sharp objects) are to be checked daily.

   • Supervision ratios must always be maintained in compliance with Virginia childcare regulations to ensure adequate supervision at all times.

2. Injury Prevention:

   • Staff must ensure the following to prevent injuries:

     • Children are dressed appropriately for indoor and outdoor play, including footwear that is non-slip.

     • Children are engaged in age-appropriate activities with attention to physical capabilities.

     • First aid kits are available in each area, and staff know the location of and how to use emergency equipment.

     • Emergency contact information is always updated and readily available.

   • Outdoor areas are checked daily for hazards (e.g., broken equipment, trash, sharp objects).

   • Proper handwashing and hygiene protocols are followed to prevent the spread of illness.

3. Incident Reporting and Review:

   • Immediate Response:

     • In case of injury, staff will provide appropriate first aid care and comfort the child.

     • Staff shall fill out the incident report form linked here.

     • Parents or guardians will be informed as soon as possible.

     • Serious injuries will be reported immediately to the necessary authorities as required by law.

   • Incident Documentation:

     • Every injury, no matter how minor, will be recorded on an Incident Report Form. This form will include details such as the nature of the injury, how it occurred, staff involved, first aid administered, and follow-up actions.

   • Ongoing Review:

     • All Incident Report Forms will be reviewed monthly by the admin team.

     • Injury trends or patterns will be analyzed, and preventive actions will be implemented if recurring issues are identified.

     • Results from the reviews will be shared with staff regularly for feedback and improvement.

4. Ongoing Training for Staff:

   • First Aid Certification:

     • All staff are required to have current First Aid and CPR certification in compliance with licensing and subsidy standards.

     • First Aid training sessions will be provided annually for all staff to ensure they are up-to-date on best practices.

   • Safety Awareness Training:

     • Staff will undergo regular safety awareness training that covers risk prevention, emergency protocols, and identifying hazards.

     • Ongoing training will be scheduled quarterly, covering topics such as child behavior management, outdoor safety, injury prevention techniques, and proper use of child safety equipment.

   • Incident Review & Continuous Learning:

     • Staff meetings will include a segment dedicated to reviewing recent incidents and discussing preventive measures and lessons learned.

     • Training programs may be updated based on the findings from incident reviews to address specific areas of concern.

5. Parental Involvement:

   • Parents will be informed about the injury prevention measures in place and will be provided with a copy of this policy.

   • Feedback from parents regarding injury prevention is encouraged and will be considered during policy updates.

   • In case of any recurring incidents, parents will be informed of new measures being taken to ensure the safety of their children.

Policy Review and Updates:

The Injury Prevention Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure compliance with current safety standards, legal requirements, and best practices in childcare. Updates will be made as needed, especially in response to new safety guidelines or changes in facility equipment.

By maintaining a focus on both injury prevention and ongoing safety improvements, Common Ground Childcare strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children in our care. Annual review was done as of the date of publishing of this post. Last updates were made on September 9, 2024

Staff Acknowledgement: