Protecting Yourself from Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect

Preschool Child Abuse: Prevention Lesson 5 Apply Protecting Yourself from Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect Guide	WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG ACTIVITY ID: 17516 Name Certifier Date
There are steps you can take every day to protect children from child abuse and neglect in your program. These same steps help keep you protected from false allegations from a child, parent, or co-worker. Take these steps seriously to protect children and yourself. Program policies that protect children from abuse and neglect I make sure adult-to-child ratios are posted, understood, and followed at all times. I use active supervision strategies; I can see and hear children at all times. I complete written incident reports whenever an injury or potential injury occurs. I minimize opportunities for adults to be alone with children. If I am alone with children, I welcome or request visits from my supervisor. I understand that cameras or other surveillance equipment is a tool that can protect children and me. I do not allow unauthorized visitors in my classroom. All visitors must sign in at the front desk. I question adults who are not wearing name tags or visitor badges. I conduct a daily health screening when children arrive. I write down any illnesses, marks, or bruises. If I notice anything unusual, I ask the child and the parent what happened. I make sure the windows to my classroom are uncovered so supervisors and others can see in. I do not allow children to go into closets, sheds, or workrooms where they cannot be seen. I never use, or threaten to use, corporal punishment, like paddling. I never force a child to be touched (hold my hand, hug, be carried, have his back rubbed, etc.) I make sure children never leave the facility with a staff member or volunteer without written permission from parents and management. I do not transport children in my personal vehicle without permission. I know and use positive guidance strategies. I have read my program’s written Guidance and Discipline policy. I understand them and follow them. Protecting children from child abuse at home or in the community I know each child and family by name. I talk to families regularly about their lives at home (stressors, routines, jobs, deployment, child care arrangements, etc.). I build trusting positive relationships with each child and family. I know the signs of stress in families. I model positive guidance techniques. I provide parent education or community resources. I encourage families to spend time at the program. I talk to children regularly about their friends and experiences at home. If I notice a strange bruise, mark, or injury, I ask the child about it. I provide information to families about child development & parenting. I help build connections between the families in our program by promoting social events & making introductions. I know how to help families find resources they need like food, shelter, financial support, etc.

Guide

WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG

ACTIVITY ID: 17516

Name

Certifier

Date

There are steps you can take every day to protect children from child abuse and neglect in your program. These same steps help keep you protected from false allegations from a child, parent, or co-worker. Take these steps seriously to protect children and yourself.

Program policies that protect children from abuse and neglect

I make sure adult-to-child ratios are posted, understood, and followed at all times.
I use active supervision strategies; I can see and hear children at all times.
I complete written incident reports whenever an injury or potential injury occurs.
I minimize opportunities for adults to be alone with children.
If I am alone with children, I welcome or request visits from my supervisor.
I understand that cameras or other surveillance equipment is a tool that can protect children and me.
I do not allow unauthorized visitors in my classroom. All visitors must sign in at the front desk.
I question adults who are not wearing name tags or visitor badges.
I conduct a daily health screening when children arrive. I write down any illnesses, marks, or bruises. If I notice anything unusual, I ask the child and the parent what happened.
I make sure the windows to my classroom are uncovered so supervisors and others can see in.
I do not allow children to go into closets, sheds, or workrooms where they cannot be seen.
I never use, or threaten to use, corporal punishment, like paddling.
I never force a child to be touched (hold my hand, hug, be carried, have his back rubbed, etc.)
I make sure children never leave the facility with a staff member or volunteer without written permission from parents and management.
I do not transport children in my personal vehicle without permission.
I know and use positive guidance strategies.
I have read my program’s written Guidance and Discipline policy. I understand them and follow them.

Protecting children from child abuse at home or in the community

I know each child and family by name.
I talk to families regularly about their lives at home (stressors, routines, jobs, deployment, child care arrangements, etc.).
I build trusting positive relationships with each child and family.
I know the signs of stress in families.
I model positive guidance techniques.
I provide parent education or community resources.
I encourage families to spend time at the program.
I talk to children regularly about their friends and experiences at home.
If I notice a strange bruise, mark, or injury, I ask the child about it.
I provide information to families about child development & parenting.
I help build connections between the families in our program by promoting social events & making introductions.
I know how to help families find resources they need like food, shelter, financial support, etc.