Early childcare assistants play an important role in the development of their young charges. They help young kids develop intellectually and emotionally through stimulating activities. They also help them develop important social skills by emphasizing the importance of sharing and teaching them to respect others. Physical activities and healthy foods also help young kids grow up healthy. And yet there’s also another important way that early childcare assistants help keep kids healthy: by helping to reduce the spread of infections.
Here are just some of the ways you can help prevent infections from spreading once you begin your career.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Toys Can Help Prevent the Spread of Germs
Children love playing with toys, but those toys can frequently carry germs and disease. Children may put toys in their mouth and when other children play with those toys, diseases can spread very quickly. Toys that have been chewed on or otherwise covered in germs must be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each play session. This helps to prevent contamination, and keep infections from spreading from one child to another.
Toys need to be cleaned and disinfected by early childcare assistants after each play session
Students in Early Childcare Assistant Training Can Spot When a Child May Be Sick
Students beginning their early childcare assistant training know that observational skills are a key part of caring for children. Those skills can also come in handy when trying to tackle the spread of an infectious disease. For example, you may see that one child is coughing a lot or has less energy than usual. Those symptoms could indicate that the child is sick and either needs to be sent home or kept in a separate area of the daycare from other children. Each daycare will have its own policies for what to do when a child becomes sick. Being able to quickly spot when a child is sick means you can take action sooner to make sure other children in the daycare don’t also become infected.
Lead by Example in Order to Teach Children About the Importance of Hand Washing
Hand washing is one of the best ways to combat the spread of germs. During your early childcare assistant diploma you’ll learn how to assist children with washroom routines and lunchtime activities, both of which require children to learn about proper hand washing techniques. Children should be taught to wash their hands with soap and water whenever they use the bathroom, handle garbage, after playing outdoors, after sneezing or coughing, and before eating food.
Early childcare assistants help children learn about the importance of hand washing
Of course, these rules also apply to adults, so the best way that you can teach children about proper hand washing techniques is to lead by example. You’ll find that when children see you washing your hands regularly that many of them will be eager to mimic you!
Are you interested in a career as an early childcare assistant?
Contact Medix College to learn more about our child care assistant course!
