Title: Explain state and local health and safety regulations for an early childhood education environment.
Course: Early Childhood, Education, and Services I (19153-I) > Section: Providing a Positive, Safe, and Healthy Learning Environment

Explanation should include identification of

- state and local regulations pertaining to health, safety, and the physical space
- practices concerning physical safety and security of children, staff, and visitors
- supervision appropriate for developmental level of children
- practices that prevent illness and injury
- procedures to deal with emergencies.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What is the meaning of safe and healthy practices?
- How are they similar to and different from practices implemented by local families and the community?
- What are some potential consequences of failure to apply professional practices or follow regulations?
- How are safe and healthy practices influenced by resource management and operational costs?
- How do safe and healthy practices affect curriculum planning?
- What connections exist between safe and healthy practices and resource management, curriculum planning, and operational costs?

Communication

- What criteria should be used to determine safe and healthy practices?
- How can the practices be communicated to parents and children?

Leadership

- What skills are needed to implement safe and healthy practices that comply with state regulations? How can the consistent application of these practices be ensured?
- How can the confidence of parents and the community be maintained in the practices followed by the organization?

Management

- What resources are needed for consistent application of safe and healthy practices?
- What procedures need to be in place to comply with state regulations?
- What regulations need to be met when managing physical space in an early childhood education environment?
- What laws and regulations pertain to licensed childcare facilities?
- How can it be ensured that all caregivers in the childcare setting are properly trained in emergency procedures?

Teacher Resource:

- VDSS Child Daycare Licensing