Blog

Did you know there’s an increase in fatal injuries relating to children in South Africa? According to the Child Gauge Report, school children are the most vulnerable. With the recent fatal incident at a preschool in Bedfordview, resulting in the death of a 3-year-old boy, it’s crucial for you as a parent to stay alert when it comes to your child’s safety, especially when they’re in preschool.

When you send your child to preschool, you hope they’ll be kept safe from any harm. Life’s unexpected incidents may not prepare you for any risks your little one may face; however, this article highlights the importance of preschool safety tips. Read on to learn more.

How to Ensure the Safety of Your Child in Preschool

Let’s face it, sending your toddler to preschool can be a tough transition but it is a necessity in most cases. For peace of mind, it’s important to cover your bases and ensure that you are making the best decision for them.

iER has conducted some research to ensure you know what to look for when choosing the ideal preschool for your child. The following are preventive measures you must consider.

Preschool Registration and Licensing

You’d be surprised to learn that every preschool must be registered as an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD). The South African government provides a compliance certificate to applicants. The next step is for the Department of Social Services to provide a stamp of approval for the preschool to start working. 

iER has noted that children are most vulnerable to fatal injuries due to the environments they’re exposed to. Knowing that your child is at a licensed preschool should make it easier to find out about their overall safety. Moreover, a registered preschool will likely plan well for any emergencies and potential danger.

Health and Safety Protocols

Accidents may still happen even when a preschool complies with its registration requirements. Educators should be the foremost people promoting the health and safety of your child while they’re at school. If there are known safety risks within the classroom, teachers must report these risks and have them addressed.

When you visit your child’s preschool, you must be on the lookout for any of these safety hazards.

•       Unclear entryways.
•       Clutter and dangerous materials that increase the risks of slips, trips, falls and injuries.
•       Ensure that there’s proper airflow in the classroom.
•       Ensure that they have installed low shelving to prevent objects and shelves from falling on a child.
•       Look out for any climbing structures that may be dangerous.

General Safety Information

According to the ChildSafe Organisation, little attention is given to child deaths due to injury. When you take your child to preschool, you must ensure that they provide a safe learning environment. A preschool with efficient and effective safety protocols should give you peace of mind.

A safe preschool must have an emergency management plan to reduce the risks your child may be exposed to. One of the essential emergency protocols that iER highlights is that staff must have the training to handle medical emergencies. Your child’s preschool must also have emergency equipment such as a medical first aid kit to handle any problematic situation.

What to Do When Your Child is Injured at Preschool?

No matter how much you plan for your child’s safety, some circumstances are beyond your control. The last thing you want is to rush to the casualty room to attend to your critical toddler however, if you are in this situation, you must remember these essential tips.

•       Ensure your child receives proper medical care.
•       Understand the severity of your child’s injuries.
•       Get copies of medical records if needed for an expert referral or legal action.
•       Find out about the circumstances leading up to your child’s injury.
•       Contact public service units through the iER App to determine if you should open a case.

Should your child be subjected to a life-threatening injury while at preschool, iER has resources to ensure that they receive the fastest possible assistance. We have more than 12 000 emergency and non-emergency service providers. With GPS tracking enabled, we can send resources to your exact location – anywhere, nationwide.