Health & safety: what you’ll learn in our childcare courses in Melbourne
Childcare workers aren’t glorified babysitters – they’re genuine professionals, whose work plays a crucial role in childhood development.
Your job involves nurturing and developing those in your care, building a solid foundation for the rest of their lives.
More than that, you’re also responsible for the health and wellbeing of every child under your care.
This is why our childcare courses in Melbourne put such a heavy emphasis on protecting children with safe play, good hygiene procedures, proper nutrition, and first aid.
Health and safety in kids
As any parent or childcare worker will tell you, young children can be extremely boisterous and energetic.
They’re still learning boundaries, developing an understanding of their bodies, and pushing the limits to see what they can do.
Complicating the matter is the fact that their gross and fine motor skills are often not fully developed at this stage.
Long story short, they lack total control over their bodies and can even struggle with balance.
All of this makes them remarkably accident-prone!
They’ll run, trip, fall… the list goes on. And we haven’t even gotten started on their still-developing immune systems.
Childcare workers know how important it is to keep the childcare facility a safe and healthy avenue where kids can learn and play.
Clean, clean, clean!
Prevent the spread of illnesses and bacteria caused by dirty childcare facilities.
Make cleanliness a priority by instilling a daily cleaning and disinfection routine.
It’s also a good idea to schedule a once-a-month deep cleaning to ensure that chairs, tables, play equipment, toys and other areas in the childcare centre are well-maintained and free from germs and viruses.
In addition to this, deep cleaning can also target those hidden corners where dust and bacteria can build up (and threaten children’s health!)
Childcare workers can also remind and teach children of good hygiene and encourage them to build good habits. Always keep a stock of disinfectants to stop the spread of germs using:
- Hand sanitizers
- Antibacterial soap
- Wet wipes
By ensuring your childcare is spick and span, you’re creating a clean space that allows children to thrive.
Create a healthy meal plan
Physical activities aren’t the only things that childcare workers can do to foster healthy childhood development – nutrition is another important part of the equation.
Proper nutrition is essential for children’s growth and development.
Nutritious, healthy meals should be provided at childcare facilities along with specific nutritional requirements tailored for that particular stage of development.
A healthy meal plan should also consider any dietary requirements of children such as allergies and how to prevent them through proper diet planning.
Our childcare courses in Melbourne teach childcare workers how to provide and promote healthy food to encourage healthy development.
Child-appropriate first-aid training
Kids like exploring things – the problem is that they won’t use their hands to do so.
According to psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, this is the oral stage of development. And while Freud’s theories have been largely discredited, he certainly got this part right – as any parent knows, kids love stuffing things into their mouths!
One common emergency is when a child accidentally swallows something they aren’t meant to.
The first-aid component of our childcare courses in Melbourne will teach you how to react to breathing emergencies including choking, using techniques that are effective and safe for children.
With a focus on treating the types of injuries that children often encounter while at childcare centres, childcare courses include the basics of first aid that focuses on responding to common injuries in children.
Reduce the risk of child injury cases
Lessening the risks and causes of child injuries doesn’t only involve learning the basics of first aid in childcare – it’s also about learning and adhering to safety standards and practices, and preventing injuries in the first place.
As part of your childcare course, childcare workers will learn how to injury-proof their facility.
Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to create an environment where the risk of accidents and injuries is minimised.
As part of your accident prevention plan, you might:
- Double check safety guards or make sure they are completely installed
- Put clear signs for entries and exits
- Have window guards installed and inspected, as well as window locks
- Check lights for function
- Eliminate sharp corners and tripping hazards wherever possible
- Select floor types that are less slippery
Know when you’re out of your depth and need to call Triple Zero
While you may be well-versed in the details of first aid, it’s important to know when a situation requires attention from a medical professional or a call to Triple Zero.
In addition to teaching you what to do, first aid in education and care settings also involves knowing when to escalate.
You’ll learn how to recognise the symptoms of a deeper problem, as well as how to stabilise children before a professional can get to them.
Our childcare courses in Melbourne helps you keep a healthy and safe environment for children
You can never be 100% prepared in a profession as dynamic as childcare – that said, you can be as prepared as possible.
Our childcare courses in Melbourne focus on turning you into a well-rounded child care professional with a broad base of knowledge to draw from.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Designed for those getting their start in the industry, the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care covers all the essential bases needed to create a healthy environment and foster child development.
As part of this certificate, students will learn how to provide emergency first aid response in an education and care setting.
This course will also teach childcare workers to focus on adapting first aid techniques as well as promoting healthy food preparation and proper nutrition.
Learn more about our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
With a focus on building the next generation of childcare leaders, the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is longer and more in-depth.
In addition to first aid techniques, a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care also focuses on designing procedures and policies that ensure the health and safety of the children in your care.
Learn more about our Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
A long and rewarding career begins with Academia
If you want a career that will keep you engaged and satisfied for years to come, we want to hear from you!
Whether you’re a recent year 12 graduate who hasn’t decided on their path or an older student looking to make a career change, we’ll help you understand which childcare course may be right for your goals.
With courses in both Melbourne and Brisbane as well as a focus on hands-on practical learning, our courses prepare you for the future in a way that sitting in a classroom simply cannot.
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