Young Students Posing For A Photo
Programs and Services » Head Start » Safety

Safety

Safety is a critical priority everyday in the classroom, on the playground and throughout the campus location where the children attend daily school.
  • Each classroom has 35 square feet per child of usable space, while each playground has 80 square feet of usable space per child. 
  • Two adults are with the children every minute of the school day. 
  • Each classroom has a flashlight to use in the event of a power failure.
  • Each classroom is stocked with a First Aid kit for classroom use and another one for playground use.
  • Teachers and assistants are First Aid / CPR certified.
  • Electrical outlets are covered with safety plugs.
  • Safety charts and emergency procedure information is posted in the classroom.
  • Children practice fire and other emergency evacuation drills.
 

Safety Checklists

Safety checklists are conducted routinely on the classroom and outdoor play area in order to ensure safe environments for the children.  If anything is found to be in need of repair, the safety facilitator works with school district facilities staff to address the concerns.  Classroom staff submit maintenance requests as needed to maintain safe classrooms and playgrounds.  Additionally, staff inspect the outdoor play areas and pick up unwanted items and trash before children go out to play.
 
Safety Training
Online training is provided annually.  These trainings include:
  • Transporting Pre-Schoolers
  • Hand-Washing
  • Fire Safety
  • Play Ground Safety
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Child Abuse Prevention
  • Chronic Childhood Illnesses
 

Facts & Highlights

  1. Classroom teachers and assistants attend First Aid/CPR training every two years to maintain their certification.
  2. Classrooms and playgrounds have square footage requirements to ensure there is enough space for the number of children to play safely in the area.
  3. A fence protects the children from leaving the school property or outdoor play area to ensure their safety from strangers and traffic.
  4. The Head Start program purchases a Student Accident Insurance policy to cover the children from the first day of school to the last day of school in the event that an injury occurs during school hours. If parents have an out-of-pocket expense, the program assists them in submitting an insurance claim with the Student Accident Insurance provider for reimbursement.
  5. All medications are taken to the school nurse to be logged and administered appropriately. 

Safety Facilitators