Melissa Dimas
Competency Standard 1:
To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
Safety
I know attention to safety is essential in childcare because as a caregiver our number one priority is to
keep children safe. Every day I wipe my tables down even if they were done the night before, after this I
put away all my cleaning supplies out of reach from children and make sure my cabinet is locked. I do a
scan of my room and make sure everything is in its place and no toys or books are left on the floor where
children can trip or fall as they are coming into the room. I make sure our emergency pathways and exits
are clear of clutter and accessible in case of emergency. I make sure anything not meant for children to
use without adult supervision its away from reach.
Health
I recognize that maintaining a healthy environment in childcare is important because: A clean and healthy
daycare prevents the spread of illness. I encourage frequent hand washing, such as when we finish using
the restroom, or when we cough or sneeze. I teach children that for our safety and the safety of others we
should turn away from whoever we are next to and sneeze or cough into our side arm or Kleenex. I ensure
that the physical environment is tidy and sanitized on a daily basis. I also check my first aid kid daily to
be sure I have everything needed for any emergency that might arise. I make sure to monitor and observe
every child when they come in and take note if they have a runny nose or light cough and monitor during
the day to inform parents.
Learning Environment
Having a childcare environment that promotes learning, gives children the opportunity to foster
independence and feelings of competence it also promotes children’s engagements and decreases
challenging behavior. It too facilitates appropriate social interaction and provides structure and
predictability. I make sure children have sufficient and a varied variety of toys in addition to costumes too
stimulate their creativity. I personally also engage with them in story time, and encourage them to ask
questions about our daily lessons and routines.
CS I a) Even though I myself do not make the menu or have any input on it, I do know and check that the
children’s nutrition standards are being met depending on age. They are being served Milk, a meat or
meat alternative, vegetables and fruits and their whole grains. They are also provided with a snack that
varies everyday sometimes they are provided with fruit like oranges and others they get cookies and milk
or juice that is usually served after naptime. My only role in the nutrition need of kids, is to assist in
supervising children while they eat, and to watch out for chocking or touching of each other’s food as we
use to serve the meals family style.
CS I b) The way I had my previous room was not a great set up I would have my tables together and they
would usually take up very much room. Event ought it was a small space I did manage to accommodate
various spots to create centers for separate activities. I was able to have a reading corner where kids
would share some soft pillows and read on the carpet close to a window for natural light. In another spot
where sometime, we would also use as circle time I had a spot for kids to play dress up. Although there
might not have been enough space to create more centers the nearness gave me te opportunity to keep a
good eye on all the children. The thing I would change is I would like to be able to create more play
centers for the kids.
CS I c) My weekly lesson for 2 and three years old consists of first doing circle time singing our A, B, C
song and stating our days, month and weather. After our morning circle time we do ore first activity of the
day that is usually an activity to create a craft such as a new shape, for example a circle we trace circles. I
usually look for a song that is about the shape we are learning about that week and play it for them as we
all dance. I ask them to point out all the circle shapes they see in our center inside and outside.
