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Guide
Guide

Preventing Child Abuse in Your School-Age Program

³Ô¹ÏÍø School-Age Safe Environments Lesson 7 Apply Preventing Child Abuse in Your School-Age Program
Guide
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ACTIVITY ID: 22461
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Use this checklist to make sure you are doing everything you can to keep children safe.

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect at Home or in the Community:
  • I know each child and family by name.
  • I talk to families regularly about their lives at home (stressors, jobs, deployment, childcare arrangements, questions about their child’s development, etc.)
  • I know the signs of stress in families.
  • I model positive child guidance techniques.
  • I provide parent education or community resources.
  • I encourage families to spend time at the program.
  • I talk to children regularly about their friends and experiences at home.
  • If I notice a strange bruise, mark, or injury, I ask the child about it.
Protecting Myself from Allegations of Child Abuse & Neglect:
  • I make sure adult-to-child ratios are posted, understood, and followed at all times.
  • I use active supervision strategies; I can see and hear children at all times.
  • I complete written incident reports whenever an injury or potential injury occurs.
  • I minimize opportunities for adults to be alone with children.
  • If I am alone with children, I welcome or request visits from my administrator.
  • I understand that cameras or other surveillance equipment is a tool that can protect me from allegations.
  • I do not allow unauthorized visitors in my classroom. All visitors must sign-in at the front desk.
  • I question adults who are not wearing name/visitor tags/badges.
  • I write down any illnesses, marks, or bruises I notice when a child arrives. If I notice any unusual marks, I ask the child and parent what happened.
  • I make sure that the windows to my classroom are uncovered, so administrators and others can see into my classroom.
  • I do not allow children to go into closets, sheds, or workrooms (with or without an adult) where they cannot be seen.
  • I never use or threaten to use corporal punishment (ie:paddling).
  • I never force a child to be touched (hold my hand, hug, be carried, have their back rubbed, etc.).
  • I make sure children never leave the facility with a staff member or volunteer without written permission from parents.
  • I do not transport children alone in my personal vehicle.
  • I know and use positive child guidance techniques. I know strategies to prevent challenging behavior. I know how to respond in a positive way.
  • I have read and understand my program’s written policy about discipline, guidance, and appropriate touch.