The health and safety of children in any location must be the primary concern for anyone caring for them, including the facility and learning environment in which a child is playing and learning; this is emphasised to help children establish healthy lifestyles and achieve their learning potential.  Their nutritional needs are also an important aspect while in someone’s care; this course discusses the nutritional needs of the growing child, developing a menu for a day program, and following Canada’s Food Guide 2019, and training in food safety (FoodSafe™ Level I).  Other topics include emergency and disaster preparedness, children’s mental health, bullying, and environmental quality.  First aide for childcare workers is also provided.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the principles and practices related to promoting health, safety, and nutrition in various settings, including early childhood education, schools, and community programs. It covers topics such as nutrition guidelines, safety protocols, illness prevention, and creating healthy environments.

Upon completion of this course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the importance of health, safety, and nutrition in promoting overall well-being. They will be equipped with practical strategies to create and maintain safe, healthy environments for individuals of all ages.

• History, Theory, and Applied Directions
• Research Strategies
• Biological Foundations
• Infancy
• Physical Growth
• Emotional Development
• Self and Social Development
• Moral Development

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• From knowledge gained during class, reflect on one’s own beliefs and how one will change their strategies in providing healthy and safe environments as well as appropriate, nutritious snacks.
• Demonstrate knowledge of nutrition guidelines and Canada’s Food Guide through discussions, developing menu plans, presenting the plans, and preparing snacks.
• Describe the interrelationship of health, safety, and security and areas of a child’s development.
• Identify and advise on creating safe environments for children, including practising the use of safe car seats and demonstrating familiarity with, and using, emergency plans, fire drills reports, and emergency cards.
• Develop a safety checklist for use in a child care setting with the knowledge of child care licensing requirements in B.C.
• Describe how safety is interconnected with learning environments for various age groups, the key aspects of quality care in Canada, and the components of rating scales for early childhood environments.
• Visit local resource centres to retrieve and learn information about health, safety, security, and nutrition for the 0-8 age groups.
• Describe the ways disease are transmitted, common chronic conditions facing some children, and managing children’s health through sanitary practices, protection from hazards outdoors, and knowledge of emergency procedures, keeping records, and immunisation guidelines for Canadian children
• Successfully conduct emergency child care first aid and CPR procedures.
• Demonstrate (via testing) the knowledge of important information about food safety, including foodborne illness, receiving and storing food, preparing food, serving food, cleaning, and sanitising (FoodSafe™ Level I).
• Discuss the most common issues involving the health and safety of children, including stress, poverty, quality care, attitudes toward childcare, maltreatment, medical, and special needs.
• Describe the importance of physical activity with children and develop physical activity plans for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children.

• Lecture/presentation
• Discussion
• Individual assignments
• Slide presentations, videos, and visual representations
• Facilitated group work
• Facilitated observations and recording activities
• Supervision of hands-on creation and conducting of learning centre activities

To apply reach out to admissions@plvan.com