How to Keep Pesticides Away From Children

Children can come into contact with pesticides stored or applied in their homes, yards, day-cares, schools, parks, or on pets. Children often touch things (that may contain a pesticide) and put their hands in their mouths. They also crawl and play on floors, grass, or in spaces that might contain pesticides. These activities may put them at higher risks for poisoning. Contact with pesticides may cause serious harm to a child's health. The signs of pesticide poisoning may look like the flu.

Pesticides may harm a developing child by blocking the absorption of important food nutrients necessary for normal healthy growth. Another way pesticides may cause harm is if a child's excretory system is not fully developed, the body may not fully remove pesticides. Also, there are "critical periods" in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates.

Child care management software tends to improve the services of child care centers. The software automates most of the work in the center so as to help the staff spent more time on the pressing needs of the center. The documentation, enrollment and all other activities are done using the software, which helps in saving time and money.

Signs to know whether your child is poisoned with pesticide or not

1. Flu. 
2. Headaches 
3. Dizziness 
4. Muscle twitching 
5. Weakness 
6. Tingling 

Precautions Taken to prevent child from getting poisoned

1. Read the label first. Follow the directions as they are written on the label before using a product. 
2. Lock up all pesticides and harmful products in a cabinet, out of a child’s reach. 
3. Alert all caregivers about the potential dangers of pesticides and share these tips with them. 
4. Teach children that “pesticides are poisons” and not to be touched. 
5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers . 
6. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label. 
7. Create safer child care. Daycare centers should be free of pesticides known to harm children. Ask your daycare facility about the pesticides they use. 
8. Make schools pesticide-free, inside & out .Pesticides that harm children — and especially those known to harm developing minds — have no place in our schools. Learn what communities across the country are doing to create school environments free of neurotoxic pesticides. 
9. Link local farms to school plates. Urge your school district to link with a pesticide-free farm-to-school program to protect children from pesticide residue sand build the family farm economy. 

How Toys Help Children Grow

Toddlers are little explorers who learn by doing. Play gives your child a great opportunity to develop and practice new skills at her own pace by following her unique interests. The toys and play things your child has available to her can shape her development in important ways. 

Toys are important for other reasons, too. Children exercise their muscles with toys. Next time you see children rocking horses or riding bikes, notice the muscles they are using. 

First, look at the children themselves. How old are they? What interests do they have? What do they like to do? Judge an idea that you have for a toy by asking: Is it safe? Does it capture the child's interest? Is it attractive? Can the child use it alone or is another person needed? What kind of activities will it encourage?

Guidelines for Choosing Toys for Toddlers 

1. Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. 
2. Look for toys that will grow with your child. 
3. Select toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. 
4. Look for toys that spark your child's imagination 
5. Give your child the chance to play with "real" stuff 
6. Toss in some "getting ready to read" toys 
7. Seek out toys that encourage your child to be active 
8. Look for toys that nurture cross-generational play 

INFANTS AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS 

1. Infants need bright-colored toys of many textures. They should be washable, non-breakable, and have no sharp edges that might cut or scratch. 
2. Toys should be large enough so they cannot be swallowed and they should have no small attached pieces (like eyes on a stuffed animal or bells on a shaker) that could be pulled off and swallowed. 
3. At this age, babies put everything into their mouths as part of exploring their worlds. Any toy they are given must be safe when used in this way 

TODDLERS AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS 

1. Toddlers are active and enjoy climbing, running, and jumping. 
2. They need toys to meet these needs. 
3. They also are interested in doing things with their hands as the small muscles in their fingers become more developed. 
4. However, toys for this age group should be simple and require little coordination. During this period, toddlers become interested in playing with others and in imitating grown-up activities. Toys like dress-up clothes are great for this! 

Appropriate Toddler Toys

1. push-pull toys
2. pedal toys
3. truck/cars big enough to ride
4. wagons
5. balls and bean bags
6. balloons (with close supervision) swings
7. climbing structures
8. books with simple stories
9. blocks
10. peg boards
11. puzzles
12. creative materials (crayons, play dough, paint)
13. water play toys
14. simple dress-up clothes
15. dolls and stuffed animals boxes

PRESCHOOLERS AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS

Childcare centers are an excellent places for children to understand different kinds of toys enlarge their knowledge of various things around them. Most of the toys help toddlers understand various shapes and structures, which helps them improve their IQ and intelligence.

The childcare centers are run by child care management software, so the teachers have more time to spend on the children and concentrate more on how to improve the services and enhance their value.

This is a dramatic and creative age. Many conversations between preschool-age friends start with "Let's pretend...." Children become social. They become interested in playing with each other instead of preferring to play alone. Many toys become props for cooperative play.

Appropriate Toys for Preschoolers

1. puppets
2. farm and community play sets
3. transportation vehicles of all types
4. simple construction toys
5. creative materials
6. books and records
7. wheel toys ,sleds
8. simple musical instruments boxes
9. climbing structures
10. prop boxes
11. water play toys
12. puzzles
13. balls
14. cognitive games
15. dress-up clothes
16. housekeeping props
17. dolls and stuffed animals
18. character toys

EARLY SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS

This is the age that children start collections or hobbies. Toys occupy less time for this age group because children spend more and more time playing with friends in groups. Early school-age children start to show more awareness of sex role stereotypes, that is, what girls and boys are supposed to do. Often girls play with girls and boys with boys. Girls may play with dolls as "babies" and pretend they are doing "real" housekeeping. Often boys enjoy electric trains and construction sets. Encourage children to change these stereotypes. Boys can play with dolls and be happy, if they feel it is okay for them to do so.

Appropriate Toys for Early School Age Children

1. board games
2. marbles
3. jacks
4. electric trains (UL approved)
5. construction sets
6. science kits
7. craft kits
8. larger bicycles
9. prop boxes and costumes
10. puppets
11. fashion and career dolls
12. doll house and furniture
13. jump ropes
14. art materials of all kinds
15. work bench with real tools
16. roller and ice skates

Sun, Sand and Beach Experience for Your Child

Splish, splash, bubble, bubble, pop!

Water play, both indoor and outdoor, is a unique activity for children because it’s always available, open-ended, and provides opportunities for extended learning. Water play fosters learning in all developmental areas. It provides opportunities for children to experiment with math and science concepts, strengthen their physical skills, advance their social and emotional skills, and enhance language development.

If your baby is younger than six months, keep her out of the sun altogether and in the shade. If you have an older baby or toddler, keep her out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, which is the hottest part of the day. 

The safest way for you to provide your kid with water experience is to set up the home center as a beach. Use child-sized lawn chairs or drape colorful denim over regular chairs. Provide beach towels, sun hats, sunglasses, empty suntan cream tubes, plastic pitcher of water, and plastic or paper drink glasses. 

Set out a conch shell, dried starfish, and basket of sea shells. Fill a washtub with sand and stock it with toy sand-building tools (or use the sandbox).

Outdoor Water Play Ideas

Listed below are some outdoor dramatic play themes as well as a list of suggested play materials.

1. Fun in the Sun– Add water to the sandbox, towels, beach bags, containers for sand molding, child-size beach chairs, and sunglasses. 
2. Bath Time– Warm, sudsy water, clear water, dish tubs or water table, washable baby dolls, washcloths, bath toys, and towels. 
3. Bakery– Sand or mud, dirt, water, pie tins, plastic spoons, plastic knives, craft sticks, grass, small sticks, leaves, and cottonwood. 
4. Firefighter– Water, hats, boots, gloves, windbreakers, garden hoses or plastic tubing, and buckets. 
5. Paint Shop– Buckets of water, different sizes of brushes used to paint houses, rollers, sidewalk, walls, fence, etc. 

You will need the following clothing:

1. Several changes of swimwear, if possible. Babies and toddlers like to get in the water, out of the water, in the water, and out again. But they don't like putting on wet swimming gear! 
2. A sun hat. Make sure it has a wide brim or is a Legionnaire-style cap with a flap on the back to cover the neck. 
3. Several long sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings or trousers, socks, and shoes. Babies and toddlers can lose heat quickly after they have been in the sea, particularly in cooler climates, and will need to be dressed warmly afterwards. 

Equipments needed :

1. Towels 
2. Sun screen 
3. First aid 
4. Blankets 
5. Armbands, rubber ring, or float suit.,Bucket, spade, and beach ball.

Parent Registration Applications in a Daycare Management Software

In EZChildTrack, a web based childcare management software, there’s an option for parents to specify their registration and enrollment preferences. Not all parents have the same requirements. Each parent might have specific programs and activities they would want their children to be registered and enrolled in. 

Using EZChildTrack’s secure online application forms, parents can easily specify these preferences without any hassle and without the need of any external support. This saves not only the organization’s time but the parents’ time as well as they need not visit the premises to specify their requirements.

The EZChildTrack software can be used by parents with a registered account number to log into the system. With this option, registered account holders can specify registration/enrollment preferences. Program Directors create and approve parent applications. The electronic form is divided into sections. Each section is dedicated to details linked to the account holder. 

There’s a “My Account” section which can be used to include the primary and secondary account holder’s demographics, a “My Children” section wherein you can include info about your child as well as registration/enrollment specifications, a “Terms and Conditions” page and so on. With such a structured organization, it becomes easy to retrieve as well as enter required data. Program directors can further scan application based on their status. 

Approved applications are arranged in a separate folder whereas pending and deleted applications have a folder of their own as well. The Wait List folder allows the program director to find out account holders who are in waiting list for a specified program.

Owing to its highly organized interface, EZChildTrack daycare management software simplifies tasks for program directors, site coordinators, staff members and parents alike. Parent applications can be accessed anytime of the day irrespective of the place you are in. Being a web based software, users can access, create, modify, delete data whenever required.

Emergency Preparedness in Child Care Centers

You cannot predict when a disaster might strike, but you can prepare! This slogan from the American Medical Association really says it all.

The following are the list of conditions that pose immediate threat to the life or well-being of a child in the care of a child care provider that may subject a child care center or child care home to emergency or temporary closure order:

(1) Building damage due to:

• earthquake;
• flooding or water damage;
• tornado;
• severe wind;
• ice storm;
• fire;
• lead contamination; or
• asbestos.

(2) Sewage problems as follows:

• Sewage backup.
• Toilets cannot be flushed or are overflowing.
• Sewage system is not operating properly.

(3) Inadequate or unsafe water supply as follows:

• Contaminated water supply.
• Water supply not functioning.

(4) No electricity in the building.

(5) Heating system problems.

(6) Gas, carbon monoxide, or other noxious gases leak.

(7) Filthy conditions.

(8) Rodent, roach, or vermin infestation.

(9) Building renovation occurring in a room or area occupied by children.

(10) Lack of supervision, which results in the death or serious injury of a child.

If an employee or agent of the division determines that a violation in subsection (a) exists, the division shall:

• issue an emergency or another temporary order under IC 4-21.5-4 requiring the licensee to immediately cease operations of the child care center or home; and
• contact the parent or guardian of each child enrolled in the child care center or child care home to inform the parent or guardian:
• that the division has issued an order to require the licensee to cease operations of the child care center or child care home; and
• the reason for the order to cease operation

PHASES OF EMERGENCY PLANNING

1. PREPAREDNESS : Is your program ready for emergencies?

Step 1: Form a Planning Committee

Step 2: Create your plan

Step 3: Practice your plan

PREPARATION CHECKLIST

1. Create a plan to address typical disasters that could occur in your area, such as fire, flood, threatening of parent or staff.
2. Contact local first responders (fire, police) to make them aware of your plan and seek guidance.
3. Provide training for all staff members regarding your plan and staff roles and responsibilities.
4. Ensure that families are aware of your plan.
5. Conduct monthly fire drills and discuss with staff afterward.
6. Conduct full-scale disaster drills at least quarterly and discuss with staff.
7. Document, in writing, the disaster drills and post-drill discussions.
8. Encourage and support families to be prepared at home.
9. Obtain a sufficient supply of master keys, plan for storage and access.

2. RESPONSE: What actions will you take to keep children and staff safe?

Responsibilities during the Incident:

1. Obtain supplies (disaster kits) and forms. Important records to have with you are your backup flash drive/CD-ROM with backup program records and a master copy of all staff and child emergency information as well as all signed parent/guardian permission forms.

2. Assign tasks as per your plan

3. Direct and coordinate disaster operations

a. Assess the type and scope of emergency.

b. Implement the response and emergency plans.

4. Determine the need for outside assistance, and request if necessary.

5. Interact with other emergency teams from the community (e.g., the fire

department).

6. Be ultimately responsible for the safety and accountability of all children and

volunteers present.

a. Give yourself frequent breaks; trade off with someone you have

trained to take your place as needed.

b. Plan regular breaks for yourself and volunteers.

c. Release staff as able, in accordance with licensing requirements for

supervision.

After the Incident:

1. When incident is resolved, discontinue operations.

a) Ensure any unfinished action items are completed.

b) Return reusable supplies to Logistics’ Supplies and Equipment Team.

c) Close out all logs.

2. Call licensing or your local Child Care Resource and Referral program to report the incident.

3. RECOVERY : How will you operate your child care business after a disaster?

1. Assess damage to facility and equipment and contact insurance company.
2. Locate temporary emergency child care space if program cannot continue in existing facility.
3. Notify families and keep updated.
4. Request volunteers.
5. Apply for Public Assistance for Child Care Services.
6. Notify Child Care Licensing regarding reopening or opening in new facility.
7. Apply for Disaster Assistance for labor costs, facility costs and supplies costs.
8. Contact the Child Development Bureau regarding billing and payment for children receiving child care scholarship.

Managing Agencies in Day Care Centers with Child Care Management Software

The primary focus of EZChildTrack, a child care management software, is to manage all operations of a day care center - ranging from safely storing participant details to managing their registration information in a structured manner. It is also required of the day care center to manage activity details including its associated sites and fee structure. This all in turn contributes to a powerful, robust system that can take care of a daycare center’s day to day needs.

Another type of feature that is coveted in a daycare management system is managing agency information. Not all participants are able to fully afford day care centers which is where agencies step in to do their bit. In such cases, it would be highly beneficial if a day care center uses a software that can manage all details related to agencies.

Information regarding new agencies can be recorded at any time using EZChildTrack. This web based software also helps the day care centers in recording agency related operations like generating invoices and processing payments. A large number of agencies – regardless of their size - can be managed in the system. The agency list will help you to retrieve a desired agency’s information in a matter of minutes thus saving ample time required for getting a hold on required data.

Vouchers can be created for agencies and safely stored in EZChildTrack as well. Payments made by the agencies can be posted into the system and invoices can be generated. Agencies can make payments on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Any agency payment discrepancies can be also be dealt with easily in EZChildTrack.

In EZChildTrack, a daycare management software, daycare centers can carry out their agency-related operations – right from creating a new record for an agency to raising invoices and posting agency payments in the system. This can be done anywhere, anytime – the only requirement being an Internet enabled device. Being a web based software, it is also possible to access data round the clock making it highly convenient for people who are apprehensive of installing any kind of software in their desktops or laptops or mobile devices.