Children's play - risk, inclusion and support from adults.

Name: Nina Krysa Candidate number: 10/679415 Date: 17/5/11 Unit number: 4

E1 identify legislation which influences healthy, safe and secure environment for early years settings.

There are many legislations that influence healthy, safe and secure environment for early years settings. The Heath and Safety (young persons) Regulations 1997 states that ‘’Employers need to complete risk assessments for people under 18 years of age.’’ (Thornes 2008 pg84) It also states that if any hazards are the setting, then give them training that the student, trainee or work experience people may nee to do with that particular hazard. Another legislation is Health and Safety at work Act 1974. This legislation is the one that provides general guidance about all this health and safety and workers must have policies and procedures saying how the health and safety will be ensured and then follow these policies and procedures. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1994 is also part of the legislation for a healthy, safe and secure environment and states that a risk assessment should be done on hazards and make sure to store appropriate as the COSHH regulations are. Reporting injuries diseases and dangerous occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. It states that ‘’All accidents and near misses must be recorded. If a stuff member is involved in an incident which is secure enough to keep off work for three days or more, employment need to complete the relevant documents and send a report to the Health and Safety Executive. An investigation may follow...’’ (Thornes 2008 Pg85) Fire Precautions Regulations 1997 states ‘’premises must be checked by fire officers when the premises are registered; they will advise on how to make the workplace as safe as possible. All adults should know the procedures for safe evacuation and these should be rehearsed regularly.’’ (Thornes 2008 Pg85) HEALTH AND SAFETY (First Aid) Regulation 1981 is also a piece of legislation that influences healthy, safe and secure environment for early years settings. Personal Protective equipment at work Act 1992. This states that protective clothing must be stored in the setting and worn at all times when necessary. The last legislation is data protective Act 1998.

E2 describe the producers which will keep a child safe for each accident, illness or emergency.

There are many procedures which keep children safe for each accident, illness or emergency.

E3 Plan the appropriate care of a child aged 1 for a full day in the setting.

E4 Plan the appropriate care of a child aged 3 years for a full day in the setting.

E5 Describe the issues that affect the planning of a challenging environment for children.

E6 Describe the initiatives which influence the provision of challenging environments for children.

...

This is a preview of the whole essay

E2 describe the producers which will keep a child safe for each accident, illness or emergency.

There are many procedures which keep children safe for each accident, illness or emergency.

E3 Plan the appropriate care of a child aged 1 for a full day in the setting.

E4 Plan the appropriate care of a child aged 3 years for a full day in the setting.

E5 Describe the issues that affect the planning of a challenging environment for children.

E6 Describe the initiatives which influence the provision of challenging environments for children.

E7 Explain the importance of helping children to manage risk and challenge in their environment.

E8 show an understanding of diversity and inclusive practice.

D1 Explain how legislation can support strategies to establish and maintain healthy, safe and secure environments in early years settings.

D2 Explain how establishing a safe environment can support the procedures necessary for accidents, illness and emergencies.

C1 Evaluate how tow initiatives contribute to the provision of an enabling environment for children.

B1 consider possible ways to maintain the safety and privacy of children and to respect their wishes.

A1 Discuss the effect on practitioners of meeting the care needs of children.

D7 Show an understanding of diversity and inclusive practice.

When training to be an early years practitioner you should remember to show how you meet the needs of all children and not discriminate on any basis; religion, ethonicity, culture, family background, disability, gender or ability. To make sure that you do this must not make any stertypical ideas, treat every child in the setting fairly, contribute to all different ideas of children, allow the child to be the best of their ability. ‘’Early years settings should ensure that a child’s right to be included is at the hear of their practise by fully implementing the Early Years foundation Stage Framework and guidance’’ (http://www.pre-school.org.uk/practitioners/inclusion) In my current work placement setting, Slough Centre Nursery School equal opportunities page says that ‘’At Slough Centre Nursery School we are committed to pro-active approach to promoting equality & good relations & tacking discrimination’’ (Slough centre Nursery Equal Opportunities Page)

B1 Explain how children benefit from play activities that provide challenge and help to understand risk.

Children can benefit from play activities that provide challenge and help them to understand risks. This is because it can make them aware of what they can do and shouldn’t do as it will teach them the consequences if they do. ‘’Play cannot be wrong. It therefore provides a safe situation for the child to try out new things without fear of failure.’’ (Marian beaver, Mandy booty and ... 2005 pg130) This can make practitioners feel nervous giving them the challenging activities. Children however need to make their own decisions about what is safe. If the adult makes the decision for the child, they will then not be learning. The challenges must be achievable for the child to be able to experience opportunities and risks. This states that ‘’Children need and want to take risks when they play. Play provisions aims to respond to these needs and wishes by offering children stimulating challenging environments for exploring and developing their abilities. In doing this, Pay provision aims to manage the level of risk so that children are not exposed to unacceptable risks of death or serious injury’’ (Marian beaver, Mandy booty and ... 2005 Pg317) In Slough Centre Nursery School my current setting, their is a boy aged 4 who will only go and talk to the same teacher each time he has a problem and I saw that she wanted him to be able to tell other staff members in case she was not in or around and something serious has happened. So she took him over to a different teacher in the same room and explained to him that she wanted him to tell this teacher and also that she understood it might be hard for him to take a new challenge on but she would stand in the corner and watch him. After that the 4 year old boy with fear walked other to a different teacher and told the other teacher some of his problem. I noticed that while he was doing this it was a challenge for him because it took his courage to tell someone different from the usual person.

B2 Explain how the adult can encourage exploration and investigation through play.

Children need to be encouraged to explore and investigate through play by an adult in many ways. One important thing to remember is that children learn by their senses. Selections can give children the chance to explore and keep in mind textures and also include objects and equipment which helps all different senses such as hearing and smelling. The adult can help encourage the exploration and investigation by planning and providing support; proving space for the play to happen with choice of equipment and activity/game, give and let children use open ended materials and use different types of environments and resources to help them with their knowledge and development.

A* Reflect on the role of the adult in providing activities and supporting children.

Before I did this unit, I thought play was something that children did by using their creative and imaginative skills. I now know much more about play by learning about it and it is how children learn through the play by using many different skills. After this unit I also find that I play a bit differently with the children because with me knowing about play, I try to support the children and monitor what is happening, try to consider all the different needs and abilities of children and give them time, space and right resources need to learn and explore during the play. As before I would just let the children play without really supporting them because I thought they where just being children and playing.

Reference: