Prepararse para cambios que afectan a la seguridad

(En inglés)

Action 7. Prepare for Changes that Affect Safety

There are many transitions throughout the day in early childhood programs. Transitions can be challenging for young children and adults. For example, some children may need extra support to stop an activity they are enjoying, and staff may have additional tasks to manage.

Transitions are time when there is an even greater need for child supervision to ensure children's safety and well-being. Practice active supervision as you prepare for a transition while you move from one place to another and when you begin a new activity. This ensures that your approach to supervision is resilient when there is a change to your routine or environment.

Some tips for safe transitions include: make sure that all caregivers, including substitutes and volunteers, know which children may need extra attention. Use multiple strategies, or redundant systems, to account for every child. Have more than one person scan and count the children, and do a sweep of the area before you leave. Scan and count the children while you are on the move and repeat after you get to your destination. 

Schedules and routines create predictability and stability that make it easier for everyone to manage transitions, but sometimes there are unexpected changes to the daily schedules and routines. This may include a different time in the day to use the playground, or it may mean a different caregiver who doesn't know the skills, needs, and temperaments of the children.

Use these tips to help adults prepare for changes: review the daily schedule and limit the number of transitions as much as possible. Share information about which children may need additional support. To ensure you have the right children in your group before and after transitions, match the child to their name, also known as name to face recognition.

Consistent caregivers know their children well. When you know each child's developmental level and behavior, you can anticipate their reactions and help them make safe choices during transitions. If your program is planning to introduce a new caregiver, schedule a visit so they can meet staff and children.

Share information about children's interests and needs. Provide name tags and photos of the children and staff, and plan for extra supervision if possible. If a child is tired, feeling unwell, or going through a change at home, they may need extra support and supervision. A daily health check and frequent communication with families will help you identify changes that may affect a child's health and safety.

Planning for changes also means planning for unexpected events. Emergency drills will help you prepare for these events. Being prepared for an emergency will make it easier for you to stay calm, actively supervise, and prevent injuries. Changes can be challenging for children and adults in early childhood settings.

Using strategies to manage unexpected events and to keep children safe is an important part of a culture of safety.