Self-Assessment: Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Be concise in answering the statements/questions in each box. The NAEYC criteria for National Accreditation is the basis of this
self-assessment to demonstrate alignment with the Standards and to familiarize students with this national accreditation process.
Describe how you supervise children adequately—by positioning self to see as many children as
possible, how you are aware of children’s location always, how you monitor by sound when children
may be out of visual range (as when using the toilet, etc.).
In order to supervise children in the classroom I will sit in a spot where I can view all children at a
time and interact with the ones nearby. I will be aware of a child’s location by visually seeing them and
being able to hear them. When I am changing diapers, I will be listening to what is going on in the
classroom and turning around to see what is going on also.

Describe the child tracking procedures you use when moving from one location to another (as in when
going from classroom to outdoor play area).
The children are logged in and out on a daily sheet in the classroom. When we move from one
location to another, I count how many children are in the classroom and compare it to the daily sheet
before we leave. I count again while we are enroute to the new location and again when we arrive. This
is repeated when we return to the classroom.

Describe your use of proper hand-washing procedures—list the times when you wash your own
hands and when you assist children in washing their hands.
When washing hands, I get soap, add water, lather for at least 30 seconds, rinse and dry hands with
a single use paper towel. I wash my hands when I arrive in the morning, before serving meals, after
each diaper change, after using the restroom, and whenever helping a child in the restroom. There are
are other times during the day when helping a child wash their hands, after an art project or other
activity and after meals.

Describe a schedule for cleaning and sanitizing and what it means to use universal precautions—
including cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces, use of gloves and barriers to minimize contact with body
fluids, cleaning spills as they occur, cleaning and sanitizing toys that have been mouthed or exposed to
body fluids.
Tables for eating are cleaned and sanitized before and after meals, after a project is done at the
table. The diaper changing area is cleaned and sanitized between each child. Gloves are worn whenever
changing diapers, helping in the bathroom when a child has accidents, cleaning up accidents in the
classroom, whenever there is blood. Toys that are put in mouths are put in a bucket and washed each
evening. Toys are washed and sanitized on a monthly schedule, more often during cold and flu season.
Other surfaces, counters and gates are cleaned and sanitized nightly.
The precautions used for handling contaminated bodily fluids is, wear gloves, remove the glove
inside out, wash hands, dispose of contaminated materials properly and bleach all surfaces.
Describe your process for being aware of children’s special health care needs, nutrition needs or
allergies, etc. Do you conduct daily health checks as children arrive? If yes, what do you look for? If
no, why not?
Nutritional needs and allergies are listed on the child’s intake form when they register, or a
document is brought into the daycare when a new special need is discovered. Daily health checks are
done when a parent drops off their child and check in with the teacher about any concerns. These
concerns are written on a piece of paper and if needed in the communication notebook. I watch each
child when they come in and if I notice they are not quite themselves I will make note of it and include
it in my observations throughout the day.
Describe the process for administering medication or applying sunscreen or other products. What do
you do to follow licensing requirements for administering and logging?
When medicine is brought in for a child the parent fills out and signs a medication form. The
medication must have the child’s name and dosage information in the original bottle.
The medicine is then placed in a locked box that is out of reach of children. When it is time to give the
child medicine it is written down on the form that was filled out by the parent and put back in the
locked box.

Give some examples of how you use care routines such as toileting, meal and nap routines as
opportunities to build relationships, language, concepts (food classification, nutrition, healthy
living, manners, etc.) and to build child’s self-awareness, social interaction and self-help skills.
While changing diapers I sing songs, or we talk about something around us. I encourage them to
pull-up their pants and help put on their shoes. During mealtime we talk about the food on their plate,
colors of the dishes, manners, anything that is on their mind. During rest time children are encouraged
to lay still, with quiet bodies and quiet mouths. They are reminded that rest is important for their
bodies.
Describe what you do during meal/snack times. Do you sit with children and promote children’s
feeding skills and social interactions? If yes, how do you? If no, why not?
Breakfast, lunch and snack are served during the day at The Nest. Breakfast and snack are dished up
for the children and I sit with them while they eat. The lunch meal is served family style and the
children choose what they would like on their plate with encouragement to try everything. I eat with
the children at lunch and model a plate with all the food groups and encourage healthy eating habits.
During meals we talk about the food on their plate, the food groups, manners, colors and anything they
may have on their minds.

Describe what you do to handle and serve food using proper safety precautions and sanitary
techniques.
The food is brought down to our room in a hot/cold cart. I wash my hands before handling the food.
I serve the food using tongs, spoons or measuring cups. I assist the children when they need help
serving themselves.

Describe the clean-up routine—how do you encourage children to participate in daily clean up and
maintenance of the classroom?
Children are encouraged to pick up toys when they are done playing with them and when it is time
to clean up. I encourage them by giving them a few minutes warning that clean up time is coming. I
sing a clean-up song with them when it is clean up time. I help each child find a toy to pick up and put
on the shelf.
The children put their dirty dishes in the dirty dish bin after meals and through their garbage in the
trash can.
At rest time they get their rest mats out and put them away at the end of rest time.
Describe the toileting routine—how do you help children use the toilet following good health and
hygiene practices?
I encourage children who are being potty trained to use the toilet. They are asked to do their own
toileting. If they need help I will assist them while wearing gloves. If an older preschooler needs help, I
bring what is needed into the bathroom, a bag for dirty clothes, bag for diaper, wipes, and gloves. I will
help when needed but encourage the child to do it on their own. I will clean up anything that needs
cleaning with soap and water and then sanitize. The child and I will wash hands when finished.

Describe the nap time routine—what do you do to follow licensing regulations and meet children’s
need for rest? What do you do if a child does not sleep at nap time?
Our nap time routine is to play soft music while the children lay down with the lights off. As they
settle down, they are tucked in and if they would like I will give them a back, leg, hand or forehead
rub. They are reminded of quiet bodies, quiet mouths and how important it is for their bodies to rest. If
they have laid still and have been quiet for 30 minutes they are able to come to the table and do quiet
activities.