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Topic 8:

Creating a Safe Environment for Children

Upon completion of this Topic, you should be able to:

Explain how to ensure schools are safe

Describe steps taken to ensure the playground is safe
Discuss issues related to toy safety
List the criteria for selection of preschools for children

Topic Outline

8.1 Introduction
8.2 What is safety?
8.3 Safe buildings
8.4 Indoor Safety
8.5 Safety in the playground
8.6 Toy safety
8.7 How to choose a preschool?

Words You Should Know

Summary
References
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8.1 Introduction

The physical surroundings of a child-care centre, nursery or kindergarten play an important role in
the development of infants, toddlers and young children. The quality of the physical environment
impacts significantly on the childs learning process and how they interact with their
surroundings. According to Maria Montessori (1967), adults can admire their environment; they
can remember it and think about it but a child absorbs it (p. 57).

Thus creating a safe learning space is a fundamental responsibility of all early childhood centres.
Teachers and administrators need to have a deep understanding on how to make the surroundings safe
for every child. They should not ignore or take lightly the safety of children. They should take steps
to prevent, avoid and reduce the risk of injuries.

Preschools Need Improve Security

07/07/2011 [TRANSLATION]

by ZAZALI JAMIAN

KUALA LUMPUR 7 July - The Ministry of Education has asked all operators to increase
the level of security at their premises to protect children and teacher from undesirable
people. Deputy Education Minister said this was to avoid what happened to a preschool
in Muar, Johor where a man entered and held four teachers hostage and threatened to
hurt the 30 children.

He said, "I sympathize with the victims and we take seriously the issue of security,
particularly in preschools. If we increase security, I hope parents and others understand
that it is not aimed to inconvenience them but rather protect children".

A concerned parent on the safety of children in early childhood centres said, Safety of children in
preschools should be given priority. It is the hope of parents that when they send their children to
school, they should safely. Parents should be assured that their children, at all times are supervised
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and kept safe. Thus, it is extremely important for teachers to understand these concerns and be
prepared to implement the guidelines on safety practices in their classroom.

Zainurin Dahari & Mohd Sabri Ya (2100) asked 162 parents in the Klang Valley what influenced
their choice of preschool. The study revealed that parents decided on the preschool to send their child
on the following factors:

1. Safety and Security

2. Quality of Teaching
3. Hygiene & Cleanliness

The researchers stated that preschool owners and operator should consider seriously the importance
parents place on Safety and Security.

8.2 What is Safety?

Oftentimes, we hear people say that safety in Malaysia is not taken seriously. It is has been reported
that Malaysia has one of the highest deaths in road accidents in the world. We read in the newspapers
about death and injury in construction areas, mining pools, rivers, in the mall and so forth. All
indicating a lack of attention to safety. Do you agree? When safety is neglected, injury and even death
occur and oftentimes the victims are children and teenagers.

What is safety? It refers to measures

undertaken by individuals or groups to prevent
harm, injuries and even accidental deaths.
Without the assurance of safety, people will feel
vulnerable, scared, worried and anxious that
something bad will happen. People need to feel
safe and enjoy peace of mind that nothing will
happen to them and their families.

8.3 Safe Buildings

The Preschool Education Management Guide (2009) [Panduan Pengurusan Pendidikan Prasekolah],
Ministry of Education Malaysia states that:

#6.2.1 all preschools must adhere to safety regulations set by the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government.
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The establishment of a nursery or kindergarten requires the approval of the Local Municipal
Council who will refer to parties involved such as fire department, the district police, local health
department, the state education department, engineering department and town planners for the
approval of building plans,

With regards to LOCATION or the SITE of the preschool, the following should be taken into
consideration:

School should be located at least 10 meters from road junctions

School should NOT be located in a crowded area.
Neighbours should have no objection regarding noise and traffic congestion.
Intermediate terrace houses and end lots without land will not be given permission for the
establishment of a preschool.
Corner lots with land area is preferred.
Priority is given to locations close to open spaces and parks.

As far as possible, preschools should be located on the ground floor

of houses. If a two-story building is used, stairs should be
provided on the outside (see Figure 8.1). The stair case must be
covered with carpet or a soft material. The stairs should have
railings whose height corresponds to the height of children.
Approval of neighbours should obtained in writing.

Figure 8.1 Staircase outside the building to enable

evacuation of children during emergencies

The entrance to the classroom must have a metal grill and it

should always be closed when children are in the classroom (see
Figure 8.2).

Figure 8.2 Gates with grills protect children from

people who enter the school to cause harm
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Ensure that the school is fenced with the gate locked

(see Figure 8.3). Only approved people are allowed to
enter the school premises. Contact the police if an
unauthorised person is attempting to enter the school
grounds.

Figure 8.3 School with have fence to protect

children

There will be drains and holes in the school premises. It is extremely

important that all drains in the school are covered with concrete or
metal covers (see Figure 8.4).

Figure 8.4 Drains and holes should be covered to prevent

children falling in and injuring themselves

If the school has a small pool for water related activities,

make sure that the water is drained when not in use or
covered (see Figure 8.5). Children are most attracted to
water and draining the small pool or covering it would
prevent the possibility of drowning.

Figure 8.5 Mini pools should be brained or covered

to prevent drowning.

1. What is safety in the preschool?

2. What do you mean by the phrase Safety First?
3. In the study, what did parents consider most important?
4. List the requirements for the location of a preschool.
5. Why is the need for open spaces?
6. Why should the gates and doors of the preschool be locked?
7. Why should drains and holes be covered?
8. What is the danger of leaving bodies of water in a preschool?
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8.4 Indoor Safety

Kindergarten and Nurseries should be designed so that

there is air circulation and natural light. There should
be sufficient space for children to move around
without being crowded. It is suggested that each child
should have about 3.5 square meters of floor space per
child (not including the passage way, storeroom,
kitchen, toilet, office or staff room).

Furniture and Equipment should be sturdy so that

it can withstand hard use by children and usable for a
period of time. Furniture with hard and sharp edges must Figure 8.6 Layout of the classroom
be avoided and heavy objects should be fixed to the wall should not be crowded
such as bookcases, piano and cubbies to prevent
children from pulling them over.

Avoid using furniture made of glass. The layout of the furniture should be such that the teacher is
able to see the movement of children (see Figure 8.6). The classroom should have the following:
cabinets for storage, book racks, desk for the teacher, visitors record book, first aid kit and plans for
evacuation (fire and emergencies). Dangerous equipment such as scissors are stored in a safe place.

Electrical Equipment such as computers, fans and lights are

switched off after use. Desk and box fans, box footed and not allowed.
Make sure children do not play with electrical switches or wires (see
Figure 8.7). All electrical outlets should be covered with protective
plugs to prevent children playing with them. Constantly check for
damaged or torn wires.

Figure 8.7 Children are

curious about wires
especially in nurseries

Prepare a resting place for sick children called a sick

bay. See Figure 8.8. The sick bay should be in a
quiet area where school personnel can keep an eye
on the child.
Figure 8.8 Sick bay
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Kitchen and Food Preparation - The kitchen should have a door that can not be easily
opened and entered by children. The tools are used to provide food should be clean (see Figure
8.9). Dining prepared should be clean. The kitchen should be separated from the classrooms or
areas set aside for the activities of the children. Place store foodstuffs must be clean and safe,
and children must be allowed to enter the kitchen and the store at all times (Bullard, 2011)..

Figure 8.9 Kitchen should be clean and safe

Sharp cutlery such as knives, scissors and forks should be kept in a safe place. Electrical
appliances must always switched off and stored a safe place out of the reach of children. The
kitchen floor should regularly cleaned and mopped. Gas cylinders must be inspected regularly
to prevent the occurrence of a gas leak. Brooms and cleaning tools stored safely. Food items
should be labelled. Matches and lighters must be kept away from children. Pots and containers
with hot water and hot food are not reachable by children.

Toilet and Sink - Child-sized bathroom facilities

are essential for childrens convenience and it is
much safer for them (see Figure 8.10). If child size
fixtures are used, which include sinks, toilets, soap
dispensers, and towel rack, it could help children to
learn how to clean themselves and care for their own
needs.

If adults fixtures are used, footstools or platforms

can be used provided it is securely fixed to the floor
Figure 8.10 Toilet and sink to facilitate childrens independence.
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Hand washing sinks should be fixed at various locations in the centre to promote consistent
cleaning. For example, hand washing bowls should be available at the dining area, sand play
area and the outdoor area. Frequent hand washing is required to prevent illness and diseases
from spreading. Lighting in the bathroom should be bright to make dirt visible and therefore,
to make cleaning for frequent. Besides, it is also important to have good lighting in the
bathroom to make the ambiance more pleasant for children to develop self-care skills.

Napping Facilities - Toddlers and preschoolers

who enrol in a full day program at the day care centre
will need to rest and take naps. Special napping
facilities need to be prepared for each child. The
napping cot should be raised slightly higher from the
floor so that it is safe from insects, water and any
chemicals used on the floor (see Figure 8.11).
Cleaning should be done each time after the children
wake up from their nap time with detergent. Blankets
should be washed frequently to avoid the spread of
Figure 8.11 Children provided with
disease. When putting away the napping cot, it is
napping cots which can be stacked
very important that the cots are kept carefully with after use
no possibility of falling over a child.

Flooring should be easy to clean - Vinyl or tiles are the most common type of flooring used in
day care centres and preschools. However, these floor furnishings can be slippery when wet, so it is
important to keep the floor dry at all times to prevent fall. Hard flooring should be covered with non-
slippery carpet on areas where children will be sitting and playing on the floor.

1. List the factors that should be taken into consideration regarding furniture for
preschools to ensure safety.
2. What will you do to ensure that the toilet and sink are safe and appropriate for
children?
3. How will you ensure that the kitchen and food preparation are safe?
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8.5 Safety in the Playground

Playgrounds, despite providing wonderful opportunities for fun, exercise and recreation, can be a
hazardous place when safety is ignored. Each year 250,000 children below 15 years in USA sustain
injuries at playgrounds and require emergency treatment. In Malaysia about 3000 cases of injuries
occur at the playground every 3 months. The injuries commonly involved children between 5-9 years
of age. Playground surface was the most frequently identified factor contributing to injuries.

Monkey Bar

Dimensions:
Length - 2.1 m,
Height - 1.5 m high.

The distance between each bar is 30 cm.

Made of steel.
No rust.
Paint is not toxic
Floor surface is soft rubber vinyl

Slide
High-grade plastics or fibre board
Smooth surface
Height 1 m x Length 1.85 m
Gradient 2.3 m long and slope - 15 degrees
Depth of slide 36 cm wide and 2-5 cm thick
Landing areas Soft rubber tiles - size 67 cm
x 78 cm.
Ladder Height 1 m; Distance between
ladder and resting pole 65 cm (40-45
degrees), Ladder with 4-5 steps and hand
rails.
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See Saws

Made of high quality hardwood or plastic or fibre board.

Non-toxic paint
Dimensions:
Length - 3.6 m
Height 45 cm high
Width 20 cm

With handle bars 66 cm apart

Landing areas - soft and high impact resistant surfaces such as sand or rubber tiles or a rubber
mat

Swings

Using prefabricated iron

Metal that not rust
Paint is not toxic
Dimensions:
Each seat - 2.1 m high
Distance between poles 1.59 m for two seats and 4.9 m for 4 seats
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Seat is u-shaped made of thick rubber

Floor rubber tiles, sand or rubber mats

Tube or Tunnel Slide

Using high-grade plastic or fibreboard
Does not easily bend
Colour does not fade
Dimensions:
Length 2.5 m
Radius 60-90 cm
Height 30 cm

Has air holes on the sides

Tunnel can be curved or straight.
Landing area - rubber tiles, sand or rubber mat
covering the end of the tunnel

Sand Rubber mats Rubber tiles

Figure 8.12 Soft surfaces in playground

Most accidents and injuries occur in the playground when a child falls from play equipment.
Accidents can be prevented by placing the soft material on the surface of the playground
equipment (see Figure 8.12). The soft material will break the fall of children and prevent serious
injury. Materials such as sand, rubber mats and rubber tiles can reduce injury from falls.

Playground Maintenance
Ensure that the playground is in good condition, without jagged edges or sharp points.
No footings are exposed (Norraliza Md Zain (2012).
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No worn out or missing parts.

Materials like metal, plastic, wood are smooth and not deteriorated.
Surfaces need to be maintained, be free from sharp edges.
All equipment should be fixed securely to the ground.
All parts should be securely fastened so there are no loose parts

What are the Safety Features to Look For in a Playground?

Parents should ensure that children play in playgrounds with good safety features. If the
playgrounds near your homes are not safe for children, please inform your local authority.
Some recommended safety features are (Norraliza Md Zain (2012):

Height of the equipment

Equipment should not be higher than 8 feet and if they are, guardrails (about 38 inches
high) should be present.

Fall surfaces and fall areas

Fall surfaces should extend 6 feet around the equipment especially under and around
swings, slides and other equipment. Avoid surfaces made of asphalt, concrete, grass and
soil. Safer surfaces include :
Sand (10 inches deep),
Wood chips (12 inches deep)
Rubber outdoor mat
Entrapment
Spaces should be between 3.5 inches to 9 inches so that it is not possible for the head to
get entrapped (SIRIM Safety Playground Standards).

Figure 8.13 Example of a

dangerous play area

Protruding bolts and nuts

There is a risk of catching of childrens clothes from protruding nuts and bolts. They can
also cause strangulation, punctures or serious wounds and eye injuries.
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Tripping
There should be no exposed concrete footings, surface elevations, tree stumps and rocks
which can cause tripping.

Age appropriate equipment

There should be separate playing equipment for pre-school and school going children

Sandpit

Concrete enclosure for the sandpit.

Sandpit should be covered when not in

use to avoid animal droppings.

Children should not throw sand.

After playing in the sand, equipment must

be washed, dried and stored in its original
place.

Water Play Area

Mini Swimming Pool Tub of Water

The water play can be a mini swimming pool or a tub of water. The water play area should be
covered when not in use and the water drained out. Children enjoy playing with water and it
should be noted water as deep as 6 cm can cause drowning. Adults should supervise young
children while playing with water.
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8.6 Toy Safety

It is strange that toys can be dangerous. While toys

bring lots of joy and fun to children they can also be
deadly. Teachers and school administrators should
carefully examine whether toys contain toxic
chemicals. Although the law states that sellers should not sell toys that contain toxic chemicals,
irresponsible manufacturers continue to sell such toys.

Studies have shown that the common toxic metals found in toys are antimony, arsenic,
cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. All these chemicals are known to cause serious
harms to human health, especially in children. Lead is extremely harmful to children, and yet
it is easily found in products suh as toy cars, dolls, pencil boxes and backpacks.

STUDY ON TOY SAFETY

In 2009, Greenpeace-IPEN conducted a study examining 500 children's products from China for
toxic metals in the United State. Results showed that toys and other children's products from
China, contain toxic substances, dangerously harmful for kids. The products ranged from school
supplies to clothing to popular products for young children. Some were plastic, some were made
of wood, and others included metal parts and jewellery.

About 32% of tested products contained at least

one toxic metal at levels of concern, increasing
the possibility of harm. None of the tainted
products contained warning labels to inform
consumers about their toxic ingredients. The
toys that tested positive for heavy metals,
including lead, were found in every category of
product, no matter whether it was branded or
non-branded, cheap or expensive. In short, no
matter who or where you buy your toy there is a
possibility that a toxic metal is present.

The majority of childhood deaths and injuries related to toys and play equipment are due to
choking and improper use. Many of these injuries can be prevented by carefully selecting
equipment and toys that are developmentally appropriate. Childrens interests, behavioural
characteristics, and developmental abilities should serve as key considerations when choosing
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these items. Age warnings on product labels do not take into account childrens individual
differences and, therefore, are not always reliable. Some toys on the market meet only minimal
standards and thus may pose a hazard for children who are not as developmentally advanced.
Injuries are also more likely to occur when children attempt to use educational materials and
play equipment intended for older children, such as:

toys that are too heavy for young children to lift

objects that are too large for small hands to grip securely
steps that are too far apart
climbing equipment and platforms that are too high above the ground
small objects that can cause choking or suffocation
equipment that is unstable or not securely fixed

The amount of available classroom or play yard space will also influence choices. Equipment
or toys that require a large area for their use will be a constant source of accidents if they are
set up in spaces that are too small. Quality is also very important to consider when purchasing
toys. The materials and construction of toys and play equipment should be examined carefully
and not purchased if they have:

sharp wires, pins, or staples

small pieces that could come loose, e.g., buttons, eyes, screws, magnets
moving parts that can pinch fingers
pieces that are smaller than 3.75 cm or balls less than 4.4 cm in diameter (for children
under three years)
objects too heavy or large to be handled easily
unstable bases or frames

TOY SAFETY IN MALAYSIA

On 1 August 2010, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC)
introduced the Consumer Protection (Safety Standards for Toys) (Amendment) Regulations
2010. The main objective of these regulations was to ensure that the toys supplied to the
Malaysian market is safe and to minimise potential harm to children.

Toys are defined as any goods designed or intended for use in play by children less than 14
years of age. It will be the parents' responsibility to ensure the toys that are purchased for
their children are suitable for their age and safe to be played with. Importers of toys are required
to send all toys to accredited laboratories to be tested.

This is a MC mark which is an abbreviation for Malaysian

Conformity Mark. This conformity mark, is an indicator that a
particular toy supplied or sold in Malaysia has conformed to the safety
standards prescribed by MDTCC and is safe for consumers (see Figure
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8.14). The toys must be marked or affixed with the conformity mark together with the
registration number determined by MDTCC. The toys also must be marked and affixed with
the name and address of either manufacturer, importer, distributor. Some toys must be
accompanied by warnings and information on precautions where necessary. It is an offence
under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 [Act 599] if the conformity mark, is marked or
affixed to goods other than those allowed under the Act 599.

Figure 8.14 The MC mark to ensure toys in Malaysia are safe

Self protection is important and parents must be responsible whereby they must be aware of
the issues related toys safety and make sure the toys are bought taking into account the hazard
or risks associated with the toys. Toys also must be suitable for a child's age.

Chemicals such as heavy metals founds in paints, coatings

on the surface of toys contain lead which very toxic and can
cause cancer and hinders brain development in small
children. A child below 3 years old has the tendency to
insert toys to their mouth and this can cause migration of
heavy metal elements if the toys do not comply with the toy
safety standards.

Further, small object such as small toys or component including soft toys' eyes, foam or knobs
that breaks off or removed from toys can intend a choking hazard, ingestion or inhalation
problem to children. Therefore parents must choose the suitable toys wisely.
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8.8 How to Choose a Preschool?

All families want to find the best early childhood education centre for their children. However,
many parents do not know what to look for. As mentioned earlier, by Zainurin Dahari & Mohd
Sabri Ya (2011), Malaysian parents listed safety and security as the most important reason
for choosing a preschool, followed by quality of teaching and hygiene and cleanliness.
Among the other reasons parents gave for choosing a preschool for their children are qualified
teachers, nutritious food served, friendly staff, curriculum, distance from home, language
medium, distance from home, fees, provision of transportation, infrastructure and facilities.

Martotz (2003) suggestd that families should always take time to visit a preschool (nursery and
kindergarten) and the programme offered before enrolling their children and attempt to answer
some of the following questions:

Does the environment appear to be clean, safe, and appealing to children?

For example, are electrical outlets covered, are sharp items stored out of
childrens reach, is the carpet intact and free of snags or stains, and do
children wash their hands before eating?

Is the programme accredited or licensed?

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Do the children seem happy and under control? Are children encouraged in
their efforts and allowed to express their feelings? Are teachers playing
and talking with the children? Do they help children solve their own
problems?

Are children treated with respect and as individuals? Is the teachers tone
of voice warm and friendly versus harsh and demanding?

Is there adequate adult supervision? Are enough adults present to respond

to an injured child or classroom emergency and to assure the safety of
other children?

Are there a sufficient number and variety of toys and materials for all
children to use, or must children wait for others to finish? Are items easily
accessible to children?

Is the food served to children nutritious, age appropriate, and adequate

in amount? If your child has food allergies, would his or her special needs
be accommodated? Are weekly menus posted?

Have the teachers been trained to work with young children? Do they
appear to enjoy working with the children and take pride in their efforts?
Are they knowledgeable about how to facilitate childrens development and
spot problems? Be sure to ask about their educational preparation and
years of experience.

Do you feel welcomed and encouraged to ask questions? Are there

opportunities for you to become involved in your childs classroom?

Are learning experiences planned for children, or are they left to wander
or watch television?

Is a daily schedule of the childrens activities posted for you to read?

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Do you agree with the programmess philosophy, and is it appropriate for

your childs needs?

Have the school and programmes policies been explained clearly, and are
they acceptable to you? [page 214]

1. What are the steps that should be taken by teachers and school administrators
in ensuring that playgrounds are safe for children?
2. While toys bring lots of enjoyment to children, they also can be unsafe and
dangerous. Explain.
3. Discuss the steps taken by the Malaysian government to ensure that toys in
Malaysia are safe.
4. List the criteria that parents should consider when choosing a preschool for
their children.

Safe environment Steel grills Fenced school

Safety & security Safe learning Fall areas
Safe buildings space Heavy metals
Indoor safety Soft surfaces Minimal standards
Sick bay Toxic metals Choking hazard
Medical certificate Toys safety Choosing a preschool
The word
Napping diet has several
facilities meanings.
Malaysian Local Municipal
Playground safety Conformity mark Council
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The physical surroundings of a child-care centre, nursery or kindergarten play an

important role in the development of infants, toddlers and young children.

Thus creating a safe learning space is a fundamental responsibility of all early

childhood centres.

The establishment of a nursery or kindergarten requires the approval of the Local

Municipal Council who will refer to parties involved.

Safety refers to measures undertaken by individuals or groups to prevent harm,

injuries and even accidental deaths.

Kindergarten and Nurseries should be designed so that there is air circulation

and natural light.

As far as possible, preschools should be located on the ground floor of houses.

The layout of the furniture should be such that the teacher is able to see the
movement of children.

All electrical outlets should be covered with protective plugs to prevent children
playing with them.

Playgrounds, despite providing wonderful opportunities for fun, exercise and

recreation, can be a hazardous place when safety is ignored.

Children enjoy playing with water and it should be noted water as deep as 6 cm
can cause drowning.

Studies have shown that the common toxic metals found in toys are antimony,
arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury.

The majority of childhood deaths and injuries related to toys and play equipment
are due to choking and improper use.
 22

All families want to find the best early childhood education centre for their
children. However, many parents do not know what to look for.

The conformity mark, is an indicator that a particular toy supplied or sold in

Malaysia has conformed to the safety standards prescribed by MDTCC.

REFERENCES

Bullard, J. (2011) Safety in Early Childhood Environments. Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall

Garis Panduan Pengendalian Kanak-Kanak di Taska dan Prasekolah. 2007. Bahagian Kawalan
Penyakit. Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia.

Marotz, L. (2003). Health, Nutrition & Safety for the Young Child. New York: Delmar
Learning

Norraliza Md Zain (2012). Playground safety. MyHealth Portal. Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Panduan Perniagaan Perkhidmatan Tadika. 2005. Institut Keusahawanan Negara, Kementerian

Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi

Stoppard, M. (1998). Panduan Penjagaan Kesihatan Kanak-kanak. Kuala Lumpur:

Tropical Press Sdn Bhd.

Surat Pekeliling Pentadbiran Tabika Perpaduan Bil.2 2006. Langkah-Langkah Keselamatan

untuk Kanak-Kanak Tabika Perpaduan. Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Malaysia.

Zainurin Dahari & Mohd Sabri Ya (2011). Factors the influence parents choice of pre-schools
education in Malaysia: An exploratory study. International Journal of Business and Social
Science. 2 (15). August.