Cold Weather Safety
Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of cold weather. These tips help Head Start parents and staff keep children safe, healthy, and warm in the winter.
Safety Practices
Early childhood programs keep children safe when their facilities, materials, and equipment are hazard-free and all staff use safety practices such as active supervision. Find resources to help staff and families reduce the number and severity of childhood injuries everywhere that children learn and grow. Discover tips for use at home, in cars and buses, on the playground, and in all early childhood settings.
Strategies to Support Safe Sleep Environments in Early Childhood Education Programs
Dr. Rachel Moon presents the updated 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force recommendations that relate to safe sleep practices in early childhood education (ECE) programs.
Keep Children Safe Using Active Supervision
Keep children safe and reduce injuries by having staff learn and continuously practice active supervision. Use these resources to plan for a systematic approach to child supervision.
Active Supervision
All Head Start staff, from classroom teachers to bus drivers, are responsible for making sure no child is left unsupervised. Find out what active supervision is and how to use it across all program activities.
Even Plants Can Be Poisonous
Plants are important to our health and well-being, and they can help children understand and respect the natural world. However, some plants and seeds can be harmful when eaten or touched. According to Caring for Our Children Standard 5.2.9.10: Prohibition of Poisonous Plants, poisonous or potentially harmful plants are not allowed in any part of a child care facility. If Head Start management or staff are unsure whether a plant is toxic, they can work with the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) to identify it and determine whether it is safe. Review the list of common household plants to learn which are poisonous. Staff also can share the list with families so they can protect their children and pets from toxic plants at home.
Tips for Keeping Infants and Toddlers Safe: A Developmental Guide for Home Visitors – Young Infants
Infants depend on their families for food, warmth, and care, and for meeting such basic needs as eating, diapering, sleeping, bonding, and safety. But all babies are unique. Some infants may settle easily and be capable of quickly soothing themselves.
Tips for Keeping Children Safe: A Developmental Guide
During the first five years, children constantly acquire new skills and knowledge. Caregivers who know what children can do and how they can get hurt can protect them from injury.
Hazard Mapping for Early Care and Education Programs
Hazard mapping is a process that Head Start programs can use after an injury occurs. It helps to: 1) identify location(s) for high risk of injury; 2) pinpoint systems and services that need to be strengthened; 3) develop a corrective action plan; and 4) incorporate safety and injury prevention into ongoing monitoring activities. Hazard mapping is employed effectively in emergency preparedness planning related to natural disasters. It also is used to isolate locations of disease outbreaks and determine where prevention efforts are most needed.
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Explore and share materials about disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for Head Start families and programs.
Safety Practices
Early childhood programs keep children safe when their facilities, materials, and equipment are free of hazards and staff promote safety practices like active supervision. These resources help staff and families reduce the number and severity of childhood injuries. Discover tips for use at home, in cars and buses, on the playground, and in all early childhood settings.