Children, Inc. Promotes Children and Healthy Learning Environments
A child’s ability to learn and develop is bolstered by good health and exercise. Children, Inc. is committed to offering a comprehensive health curriculum and best practices in early education and care. Together with parents, we can help children be healthy and learn about healthy lifestyles and choices and to identify early health-related barriers that compromise a child's ability to learn. Children, Inc. has several initiatives in place to promote optimum health for children.
Healthy Children thrive in Healthy Learning Environments
Children, Inc.’s General Health Practices
- Children, Inc.'s Well-Child Policy guides parents and staff on a day-to-day basis about keeping children and their environment healthy.
- Parents are encouraged and supported in their efforts to secure positive medical and dental practices for their child.
- Up-to-date immunization certificates are kept on all children.
- Environments receive ongoing scrutiny to ensure that all safety standards are maintained.
- Food is prepared and stored according to the guidelines of the Department of Health, Division of Regulated Child Care, and the USDA Food Program.
- Periodic reviews and audits of health policies and practices are completed in partnership with Brown Mackie College School of Nursing.
- Special attention is given to proper hand washing techniques, diaper changing and toileting.
- Environments and materials are sanitized and cleaned on a frequent basis.
We Utilize Positive Hearing and Vision Practices
- Free hearing and vision screens are conducted annually for children three years and older, on-site at the centers in partnership with Thomas More College Nursing Department.
- When needed, referral information is provided to parents about community health care providers for follow up exams.
How Parents can Prevent Hearing and Vision Loss
- Get proper treatment and follow-up care for ear infections.
- Avoid or minimize exposure to loud noises, such as loud music, firecrackers, and lawn mowers.
- Visit www.dangerousdecibels.org with your child to learn about the sources and effects of listening to dangerous sounds and how to protect yourself from dangerous noise - all in a fun way.
- Keep the volume down on portable music players; a good guide is half volume and limit listening time.
- Use earphones that fit outside the ear and block out unwanted sound.
- Visit www.listentoyourbuds.org for more
- Protect your child’s eyes by wearing UV coated sunglasses when outdoors, especially if your child's eyes are light in color.
- Encourage your child to wear the proper protective athletic gear when playing sports.
- Limit television, playing video games, or frequent computer use, as they can decrease your child's natural blink reflex, which can cause dry, red, and irritated eyes.
Children, Inc. Practices for Nutrition and Exercise
- Participation in the USDA Food Program includes a healthy breakfast, lunch and a snack at no extra charge.
- Fall and spring assessments on all children determine physical growth and development that informs professional staff as they plan their daily lessons and activities.
- Daily exercise and well-equipped large motor areas promote physical fitness and healthy bodies.
- Weekly music and movement sessions with Children, Inc.'s full time dance specialist enhance coordination and help reduce risks of obesity in children.
- Nutrition education for the children is provided by health educators from the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District and Gateway Community and Technical College Nursing program.
- An annual self-study specially designed for child care programs helps assess practices related to nutrition and physical activities for children and guides centers’ policies and practices.
Children, Inc. Oral Health Practices
- Oral health education is provided by professional staff and health educators from Gateway Community and Technical College Nursing program and also the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District.
- On-site dental exams, fluoride treatments and teeth cleaning at selected Children, Inc. centers at no charge to children with medical cards or a low self-pay fee, accomplished through University of Kentucky School of Pediatric Dentistry
- Baby Teeth Matter- educational DVD, brochures and magnets are available to parents, highlighting the importance of good oral health and prevention and how to avoid unnecessary dental problems in children.
Arts Curriculum Components
