ECE Health Policy: Records, Staff Needs & Prevention

• Sultan Qaboos University promotes good health for quality ECE environments

Health Policy

• Illness rates in early childhood environments are higher than at home in the first two years
• 40% of preschoolers have problem behaviors, and 10% are at risk for mental health issues
• Teachers often overlook their own health needs when caring for children in early childhood settings
• Teachers should model healthy practices and illness prevention
• Family health policies should be written with guidelines, limitations, and communication methods

Health Policy Coverage

• Health records should be maintained
• Staff health needs to be addressed
• Protective and preventative practices for mental health are essential
• Implications for teachers need consideration

Children's Health Records

• Basic health information should be recorded
• Information collected should be kept confidential
• Appropriate action must be taken based on the collected data

Staff Health

• Disease can spread through teachers, such as COVID-19
• Teacher health status, including health situations affecting work with young children should be recorded

Maintaining Staff Health Challenges

• Stress is a challenge
• Risk of back injury must be mitigated
• Exposure to infection disease should be addressed
• Exposure to environmental hazards needs preventing

Exposure to Infectious Diseases

• Prevention is needed for infectious diseases like Hepatitis A
• Pregnancy requires special consideration
• Hand washing is essential
• Direct contact with blood and urine should be avoided
• Wearing hand cloves is a good practice

Stress Factors

• Isolation from other adults can induce stress
• Long hours and hard work load contribute to stress
• Balancing work and personal life can be stressful
• Lack of recognition increases stress
• Lack of training can induce stress
• Dealing with parents and respecting their needs is a stressor
• Dealing with individual differences is also a source of stress

Job Burnout

• Job burnout is often related to excessive stress

Stress Management

• It is important to have awareness of stress
• Recognise stress as a body response to threat
• Eliminate or avoid stressors when possible
• Practice stressor time management.
• Talking and doing friend exercise
• Eating health foods and practicing deep breathing is important

Back Injury Prevention

• Varying activities can minimize back pain
• Sitting on the floor can reduce stress
• Sitting is better than walking or sitting
• Children should be given size appropriate chairs
• Muscle exercise is a good practice

Exposure to Environmental Hazards: Art and Craft Materials

• Art and craft material can be toxic
• Usage must be stopped in the event of any harmful product

Exposure to Environmental Hazards: Cleaning Supplies

• Cleaning supplies are often toxic
• Cleaning supplies can irritate skin, nose, lungs, and eyes
• Hand cloves should be used
• Ventilation during cleaning is necessary

Exposure to Environmental Hazards: Pesticides

• Pesticides are toxic
• Caution should be taken with products instead of making them dangerous
• Pesticides should be stored in locked places
• Pesticides products should be applied when children are not present
• Food preparing areas should be considered during pesticide application

Providing a Mental Health Environment

• Mental health should be met regarding his social and emotional well-being.

• Warm, responsive, and one-to-one care is important for a mental health environment

• Consistent routines are crucial

• Children should be helped to deal with negative and positive emotions

• Attention should be given to the child's cultural background

• Consideration should be given to the child's temperament and physical attributes

• Promoting Self-esteem is important through good interaction with others

• Help should be given to deal with negative and positive emotions

Self-Esteem

• Children need to feel lovable and capable
• Quality relationships with others are important
• Success in later life is related to self-esteem
• Every child should have a healthy person to bond with
• Stability, understanding, and consistency can help a child become resilient

Implication for Teachers

• Teachers should display good personal hygiene and a positive mental attitude
• Teachers should demonstrate cultural competence
• Teachers need to realise people from different backgrounds may view illness differently

Implication for Families

• Open communication is key
• Transparency about children's cases is essential

Education and Supervision

• Education promotes health
• Supervision maintains a healthy environment