Toolkit for Integrating Healthy Physical and Mental
Development in Early Learning Guidelines
Health and Safety Topic #11: Child Abuse
Caring for Our Children (CFOC) Standards and Healthy Kids, Healthy Care Links [Tips for Parents]
Selected States' Early Learning Guidelines
State Assessment

CFOC Standard(s):

Methods of Supervision-2.028

Caregivers shall directly supervise infants, toddlers, and preschool children by sight and hearing at all times, even when the children are in sleeping areas. Caregivers shall not be on one floor level of the building, while children are on another floor.
School-age children shall be permitted to participate in activities off the premises with written approval by a parent and by the caregiver.
Caregivers shall regularly count children on a scheduled basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another, to confirm the safe whereabouts of every child at all times.
Developmentally appropriate child:staff ratios shall be met during all hours of operation, including indoor and outdoor play and field trips, following precautions for specific areas and equipment. No center-based facility shall operate with fewer than two staff members if more than six children are in care, even if the group otherwise meets the child:staff ratio. Although centers often downsize the number of staff for the early arrival and late departure times, another adult must be present to help in the event of an emergency. The supervision policies of centers and large family child care homes shall be written policies.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation-3.053

The facility shall report to the department of social services, child protective services, or police as required by state and local laws, in any instance where there is reasonable cause to believe that child abuse, neglect, or exploitation may have occurred.

Instructions and Forms for Staff to Recognize and Report Child Abuse-3.056

Caregivers shall know methods for reducing the risks of child abuse and neglect. They shall know how to recognize common symptoms and signs of child abuse and neglect.
Employees and volunteers in centers shall receive an instruction sheet about child abuse reporting that contains a summary of the state child abuse reporting statute and a statement that they will not be discharged solely because they have made a child abuse report. Some states have specific forms that are required to be completed when abuse is reported or which, though not required, assist mandated reporters in documenting accurate and thorough reports. In those states, facilities shall have such forms on hand and all staff shall be trained in the appropriate use of those forms.

Care for Children Who Have Been Abused-3.057

Child care providers in facilities where children with behavioral abnormalities related to abuse or neglect are enrolled, shall have access to specialized training and expert advice. The capacity of the child care setting to meet the needs of an abused child shall be assessed, with consultation from experts in the area.

Facility Layout to Reduce Risk of Abuse-3.059

The physical layout of facilities shall be arranged so that all areas can be viewed by at least one other adult in addition to the caregiver at all times when children are in care. Such a layout reduces the risk of abuse and likelihood of extended periods of time in isolation for individual caregivers with children, especially in areas where children may be partially undressed or in the nude.
Video surveillance equipment, parabolic mirrors, or other devices designed to improve visual access shall be installed to enhance safety for the children.

HKHC Link(s):

Supervision

Child Abuse

Child-Focused Example
Alaska's Early Learning Guidelines (p.49)

Domain 1: Physical Health, Well-Being, and Motor Development
Sub-Domain: Safety
Safe Practices
Goal: Children make safe choices, avoiding harmful objects and situations.
36 to 60 months

Some Indicators for Children:
  • Uses safe behaviors indoors and outdoors
  • Communicates to peers and adults when sees dangerous behaviors (e.g., throwing rocks on the playground)
  • Carries scissors and pencils with points down to avoid accidents
  • Looks both ways before crossing street or road, and knows to cross with adult assistance
  • Understands the difference between "safe touch" and "unsafe touch"
Some Strategies for Caregivers:
  • Provide constant close adult supervision and guidance
  • Read stories in which children face harmful situations and discuss how they deal with them
  • Provide puppets, role-play materials and songs/ rhymes that help child focus on who and what can be trusted
  • Provide role-playing situations for child to practice personal safety
  • Demonstrate clear and consistent boundaries about harmful objects and situations (e.g., always put child in car safety seat, helmets for riding toys) when traveling in a vehicle)
  • Keep guns away from children
  • Become familiar with the risk factors and signs of child abuse and neglect.

Program-Focused Example
Alaska's Early Learning Guidelines (p.48)

Domain 1: Physical Health, Well-Being, and Motor Development
Sub-Domain: Safety
Safe Practices
Goal: Children make safe choices, avoiding harmful objects and situations.
Birth to 18 months

Some Indicators for Children:
  • Responds to cues from caregivers about warnings of danger
  • Shows recognition of the difference between primary caregivers and strangers
  • Reacts when caregiver says "no" but may need assistance to stop unsafe behavior
Some Strategies for Caregivers:
  • Provide constant close adult supervision and guidance
  • Demonstrate clear and consistent boundaries about harmful objects and situations (e.g., always use car safety seats, life jackets, and bicycle helmets when traveling)
  • Understand the risk factors and signs of child abuse and neglect and respond appropriately.

For references to the state early learning guidelines used see State Early Learning Guidelines Used in Examples

Child Abuse Content:

Content absent

Content to be strengthened

Content approaches CFOC
Action Plan
     


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