Toolkit for Integrating Healthy Physical and Mental
Development in Early Learning Guidelines
Health and Safety Topic #14:
Inaccessibility of Toxic Substances
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):

Use and Storage of Toxic Substances-5.100

The following items shall be used as recommended by the manufacturer and shall be stored in the original labeled containers:
  1. Cleaning materials;
  2. Detergents;
  3. Automatic dishwasher detergents;
  4. Aerosol cans;
  5. Pesticides;
  6. Health and beauty aids;
  7. Medications;
  8. Lawn care chemicals
  9. Other toxic materials.
They shall be used only in a manner that will not contaminate play surfaces, food, or food preparation areas, and that will not constitute a hazard to the children. All chemicals used inside or outside shall be stored in their original containers in a safe and secure manner, well away from food. These chemicals shall be used according to manufacturers' instructions, and in a manner that will not contaminate play surfaces or articles.
When not in actual use, toxic materials shall be kept in a locked room or cabinet, fitted with a child-resistive opening device, inaccessible to children, separate from stored medications and food.
Chemicals used in lawn care treatments shall be limited to those listed for use in areas that can be occupied by children.

Use of a Poison Control Center-5.101

The poison control center shall be called for advice about any exposure to toxic substances, or any ingestion emergency. The advice shall be followed and documented in the facility's files. The caregiver shall tell the poison information specialist and/or physician the following information:
  1. The child's age and sex;
  2. The substance involved;
  3. The estimated amount;
  4. The child's condition;
  5. The time elapsed since ingestion or exposure.
The caregiver shall not induce vomiting unless instructed by the Poison Control Center.

Proper Use of Arts and Crafts Materials-5.105

Only arts and crafts materials that are labeled nontoxic in accordance with the Labeling of Hazardous Art Material Act (LHAMA), 15 U.S C. 1277 and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D4236-94 Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards shall be used in the child care facility. The facility shall prohibit use of old or donated materials with potentially harmful ingredients.
Caregivers shall closely supervise all children using art materials and shall make sure art materials are properly cleaned up and stored in original containers that are fully labeled. Caregivers shall have emergency protocols in place in the event of an injury, poisoning, or allergic reaction. When using these materials, children and staff shall not be eating or drinking.

HKHC Link(s):

Toxic Substances

Child-Focused Example
Iowa Early Learning Standards (p.54)

Area 7 Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Standard
Rationale
Children understand healthy and safe living practices.
Benchmarks
Children's physical well-being provides the foundation for their ability to learn. Young children are beginning to establish life-long eating habits that can help prevent disease, obesity, and other health problems (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). Healthy eating provides needed nourishment for children's brains and for their physical activities. Accidents are the chief cause of death in young children (Maternal and Child Health Bureau, 2003). Appropriate levels of risk encourage exploration without undermining children's safety. Even very young children can begin to learn about personal safety.
7.1 Healthy and Safe Living
The child:
3. demonstrates safe behaviors regarding environment (stranger, tornado, fire, traffic), substances (drugs, poisons), and objects (guns, knives, scissors).
Caregiving Supports
With preschoolers, caregivers:
  • teach each child to use medications with caregiver supervision and to avoid poisons.
  • uses adaptive equipment to help children with special needs develop self-help skills.

Program-Focused Example
Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Infants and Toddlers (p.47)

Creative Expression
Creative Expression Indicator
Use of Art Forms
Show interest in handling art materials.
Examples
The infant/toddler will:
Hold large crayons, move them between hands, and engage in random scribbling.
Supportive Practices
The adult will:
Use non-toxic materials. Keep art materials stored out of reach. Provide supervised opportunities to explore safe and appropriate media in visual arts (e.g., finger-painting with water, drawing with crayons, etc.).

For references to the state early learning guidelines used see State Early Learning Guidelines Used in Examples
Inaccessibility of Toxic Substances Content:

Content absent

Content to be strengthened

Content approaches CFOC
Action Plan
     


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