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TOPIC 2 DIMENSIONS OF YOUNG CHILDREN’S SETTING 
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2.3.1 Health
A child-care centre and preschool should maintain high standards of cleanliness. The best way to maintain healthy environments is to ensure proper sanitary practices. It should be clean, well-maintained and have separate areas for eating, sleeping, playing, toileting and for changing diapers. To avoid the spread of disease, the environment must be washable and regularly inspected, especially when a child or a staff shows signs of having infectious diseases. Sick children or staff should be given leave or quarantined. Table 2.1 describes health plans for early childhood settings.
Table 2.1: Tips for Planning a Healthy Early Childhood Setting
Emergency contact numbers
Always display or locate current emergency contact numbers such as parents and authorised doctors at appropriate places.
First aid kits
All staff are aware of the location of the first aid supplies.
Separate areas
Areas used for diapering, playing and cooking must be separate from eating and food preparation areas. There must be proper hygienic methods for using the toilet, handling food, washing and bathing.
Materials
All materials and toys used are made of non-toxic, lead free materials and sanitised regularly.
Indoors
Floors, walls and windows and other important areas are regularly cleaned and wiped.
Outdoors
Free from air pollution, animal excrements, poisonous plants and dust.
Washing area
Provide liquid soap and disposable paper towels. Provide instructions for proper hand washing. Washing hands should be routine to avoid transmitting diseases and infections in the setting.
Dustbins and disposable diapers
These are more likely to spread germs if there is close contact. They should be kept away from children and not be easily reached by them. There must be proper hygienic methods of disposal of diapers.
2.3.2 Safety
A healthy and safe environment should be a priority in child care centres or preschools. These places should be free from hazards such as dangerous areas, presence of poisonous materials and poorly maintained equipment. Equipment
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