- They can write there first and last name
- The six year old may start to write simple stories.
- Also hold a pencil similar to an adult.
The physical care needs of a 2 year old and 6 year old child
For children to grow and develop their basic needs have to be met. If one or more of these needs are not met then children will not thrive.
The basic needs are listed in the spider diagram.
How the CCEW can provide a healthy and safe environment for children
By following their health and safety policy of the setting they can keep a clean and safe environment for children.
The CCEW should check the temperature of the setting and make sure it is between 16-24 C (60-75 F) and the ventilation should allow fresh air to circulate around the setting. They should make sure that each child has the correct amount of space required so they have enough room to move about. The National standards for under eights day care and childminding states that “the indoor play area for two year olds should be 2.5 sq Metres and children between the age of 3-7 years should have 2.3 sq metres these are the space standards that represents the minimum space per child” (Page 11).
The CCEW needs to create a safe environment by identifying potential hazards and taking action to minimise the risks of accidents such as making sure they have stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and that they are in place at all times. They should never leave a hot drink in a child’s reach in case the child gets the hot drink and it spills on him. They should supervise the children at all times.
The CCEW should report all the hazard to the supervisor or the designated health and safety officer. They should make sure that all the areas used by the children are safe for them. They should check the outdoor area to make sure that the gates are locked and the boundary fences are secure so that strangers cant come in contact the children and that there is no rubbish, poisonous plants, broken glass, dogs or cats feeces and also the bins are covered properly.
It is very important for a CCEW to check for the safety mark before buying equipment and toys. By using the safety equipment properly common hazards can be avoided such as socket covers can prevent children poking their fingers or other objects into electric sockets. Smoke alarms can they can detect smoke and sounds the alarm. They should also make sure they have locks on cupboards and windows so that children cant get hold of dangerous substances or fall out of the windows. Fire – fighting equipment, such as a fire extinguisher or fire blanket can be used to tackle minor fires. They should make sure that the toys are kept clean and are safe for the children to use also they are the right age for the child.
How the CCEW can support the physical care of the children
The CCEW can support the physical care of the children by knowing the stages of development. They observe the children so they know what stage of development they have reached so they can provide the right toys and activities for them.
Working with parents helps the CCEW supports the physical care of the children because the parents usually know more then anyone else, and can give information to the CCEW about their child.
The CCEW can give love and attention and stimulation to help the child learn. There must be plenty of time for the children to play and explore so that they can learn and develop new skills. The CCEW must encourage children to try new things and praise them so they want to do it again. When children are praised it raises their self-esteem and this gives them confidence and makes them feel good about themselves. Children are individuals so they learn at different times the CCEW makes note of each child’s needs.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet consists of a wide variety of foods to help the body to grow and to provide energy. It must include enough of these nutrients:
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Protein provides materials for growth and repairs of the body. Protein foods provide amino acids and there are ten essential amino acids. Protein foods include animal proteins, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and dairy foods. Vegetable proteins, nuts, seeds, pulses and cereal.
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Fats provide energy and warmth. The types of fats are saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturates. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are mainly from the animal fat. Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are a liquid at room temperature and come from vegetables and fish oils. Foods that contain fats are butter, cheese, palm oil, olive oil, peanut oil, Oily fish, corn oil and sunflower oil.
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Carbohydrates also provide energy and warmth to the body. Sugars and starches are types of carbohydrates. Foods containing carbohydrates are fruit, honey, sweets, beet sugars, cane sugar, potatoes, cereal, beans and pasta.
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Vitamins are only present in small quantities in the foods we eat:
The main vitamins are the following:
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
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Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
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Minerals are also only present in small quantities in the food.
The main minerals are the following:
- Calcium
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Fluoride
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Iodine
- Iron
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Phosphorus
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Potassium
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Sodium
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Fibre is found in plants. It stimulates the muscles of the intestine.
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Water is vital component of a diet. It maintains a healthy fluid balance in the cells and blood stream.
Some children always feel hungry at one particular mealtime other require food little and often. You should always offer foods that are nourishing and as well as satisfying.
Children’s appetites vary enormously, so common sense is a good guide on how big a portion should be. Two-year-old children will eat smaller portions of food, but six year olds will have larger portions.
You should not force to eat when they no longer wish to, but do not refuse to give more if they really are hungry.
The pyramid is showing how many servings a day of each group a two and six year old children should have. E.g. in the milk group they should have 2 servings a day and in the grain group they should have up to 6 servings a day.
This pyramid is taken from www.yahoo.com/childrensfood
Protecting children
The procedures that I would follow in a childcare setting if a one-year-old child came in with clusters of small bruises on both upper arms. I would record the information on a record sheet or my supervisor might talk to the parents and ask them what happened to there child’s arm. I would comfort the child and give him cuddles. I would observe the child closely to see if he came again with more bruises. If this happened again I would record it again on the record sheet and also record the marks on an outline drawing of a child and my supervisor will inform the social services.
This is a outline drawing of a child where the marks are recorded.
First Aid
If a three-year-old child in the nursery had a bump to the head. I would apply cotton wool squeezed in cold water. If the bump is bad I would get an ice pack wrapped in a cloth.
I would keep an eye on the child to see if they are not felling drowsiness or if they are vomiting, got a headache if they have any of these it would indicate concussion.
Then I would contact the parents and take the child to hospital. After that I would record everything in the incident book and fill in an accident report.
Accident Report
Full name of casualty REBECA WOOD
Child or adult
Date and time of accident 16.06.06
Where it happened BUMP TO HEAD
What happened? REBECA WAS PLAYING AND FELL DOWN AND BUMPED HER HEAD ON THE FLOOR
What injuries occurred BUMP TO HEAD
Treatment given COLD COMPRESS WAS APPLIED
Medical aid sought NO
Name of person dealing with accident MRS REENA EVANS
Name of witness PARTICIA COAL
Parents signature R . Evans
A serious illness
In the childcare setting if a seven year old who shows symptoms of meningitis, such as a rash or the following:
First I would check the rash to see if the child has meningitis. I would do this by getting a glass a placing it on the rash.
The picture below is showing how to check for meningitis.
If the rash disappears that means its not meningitis but I would still get it checked by the doctor and write it in the accident book.
If it doesn’t disappear that means the child has meningitis and would need hospital treatment straight away. I would call an ambulance and contact the parents. I would stay with child until the parents and ambulance arrive and would watch them closely and tell them every thing will be OK. I would write every thing in the ambulance.
Policies and Procedures
Policies are guidelines of ways of working and procedures are the steps that must be followed. Policies and procedures ensure that all workers know what their duties are and provide clear instructions about what to do.
Every childcare setting has policies and procedures.
The health and safety policy is to ensure that all the staff use the safety equipment that is provided e.g. catches on windows/doors, non slip surfaces and safety glass.
Janet Kay says in Good Practice In Childcare “equal opportunities policies are found in the majority of early years settings and apply to the majority of childcare job roles. Policies are developed to provide a framework for developing good practice in line with legal requirements (Page 4).
Some other policies in settings are:
- Child protection
- Parents as partners
- Food and hygiene
- Fire drill
The importance of knowing the stages and sequence of physical development
It is important to know the stages and sequences of physical development, so the CCEW knows what to expect of a child and buy what age.
If the CCEW didn’t know the stages of development they wouldn’t be able to look after the children. They would not know what the children at that age can do so they wouldn’t be able to set activities for them or wouldn’t have the right equipment for them to use.
If a child age 2 years was sitting in one place all day and was doing nothing the CCEW should know there’s something wrong with that child because at that age children can run, walk and cruel because the CCEW knows the stages and sequence of physical development, she can help that child and encourage him to do things.
So it is important for them to know so they can set and do the right activities also so they know what is normal physical development and what is not normal physical development.
References
DFES. 2001 National Standards For Under Eights Day Care and Childminding. Nottingham. DFES Publications.
Kay J. 2001. Good Practice in childcare.
London. Continuum.
Internet Research
www.yahoo.com/childrensfoods
