Children & Youth Safety Policy
1. Two Adult Rule
It is our goal that a minimum of two unrelated adult workers will be in attendance at all times when children are being supervised during our programs and activities. Some youth classes may have only one adult teacher in attendance during the class session; in these instances, doors to the classroom should remain open and there should be no fewer than two students with the adult teacher. We do not allow one minor
to be alone with one adult on our premises or in any sponsored activity unless in open public.
2. Physical Contact
Inappropriate:
• Kissing
• Demanding hugs and kisses
• Touching chest, genital area, upper legs, buttocks, waist, stomach
• Sitting child in center of lap
• Sitting child above age 6 on one or both legs
• Opposite sex piggy back rides
• Seductiveness or suggestive contact
Appropriate:
• Non-demanding, gentle touch of shoulders, hands, arms, head, back
• Sitting preschool or kindergarten aged children on leg “high fives,” or shaking hands
3. Open Door Policy
Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Doors should never be locked while persons are inside the room.
4. Sick Child Policy
It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at GBC. Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should NOT be dropped off:
• Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 48 hours
• Green or yellow runny nose
• Eye or skin infections
• Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease
Children who are observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.
5. Medications Policy
It is the policy of GBC not to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Parents are reminded of our sick child policy. Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with their teachers/leaders to develop a plan of action.
6. Discipline Policy
It is the policy of GBC not to administer corporal punishment, even if parents have suggested or given permission for it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline of children. Workers should consult with ministry leaders if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues.
7. Restroom Guidelines
Children five years of age and younger should utilize a classroom bathroom, if one is available. If a classroom bathroom is not available, workers should escort a group of children to the hallway bathroom. They should always go in a group, never taking a child to the bathroom alone. The workers should check the bathroom first to make sure that it is empty, then allow the children inside. The workers should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. If a child is taking longer than seems necessary, the worker should open the bathroom door and call the child's name. If a child requires assistance, the workers should prop open the bathroom door and leave the stall door open as he/she assists the child.
For children over the age of five, at least one adult male should take boys to the restroom and at least one adult female should take girls. The worker should check the bathroom first to make sure that the bathroom is empty, then allow the children inside. The worker should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom.
For the protection of all, workers should never be alone with a child in a bathroom with the door closed and never be in a closed bathroom stall with a child. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children visit the bathroom prior to each class.
8. Accidental Injuries to Children
In the event that a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:
1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, workers will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
2. For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the worker’s supervisor. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
3. Once the child has received appropriate medical attention, an incident report will be completed in the case of injuries requiring treatment by a medical professional.
It is our goal that a minimum of two unrelated adult workers will be in attendance at all times when children are being supervised during our programs and activities. Some youth classes may have only one adult teacher in attendance during the class session; in these instances, doors to the classroom should remain open and there should be no fewer than two students with the adult teacher. We do not allow one minor
to be alone with one adult on our premises or in any sponsored activity unless in open public.
2. Physical Contact
Inappropriate:
• Kissing
• Demanding hugs and kisses
• Touching chest, genital area, upper legs, buttocks, waist, stomach
• Sitting child in center of lap
• Sitting child above age 6 on one or both legs
• Opposite sex piggy back rides
• Seductiveness or suggestive contact
Appropriate:
• Non-demanding, gentle touch of shoulders, hands, arms, head, back
• Sitting preschool or kindergarten aged children on leg “high fives,” or shaking hands
3. Open Door Policy
Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Doors should never be locked while persons are inside the room.
4. Sick Child Policy
It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at GBC. Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should NOT be dropped off:
• Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 48 hours
• Green or yellow runny nose
• Eye or skin infections
• Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease
Children who are observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.
5. Medications Policy
It is the policy of GBC not to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Parents are reminded of our sick child policy. Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with their teachers/leaders to develop a plan of action.
6. Discipline Policy
It is the policy of GBC not to administer corporal punishment, even if parents have suggested or given permission for it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline of children. Workers should consult with ministry leaders if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues.
7. Restroom Guidelines
Children five years of age and younger should utilize a classroom bathroom, if one is available. If a classroom bathroom is not available, workers should escort a group of children to the hallway bathroom. They should always go in a group, never taking a child to the bathroom alone. The workers should check the bathroom first to make sure that it is empty, then allow the children inside. The workers should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. If a child is taking longer than seems necessary, the worker should open the bathroom door and call the child's name. If a child requires assistance, the workers should prop open the bathroom door and leave the stall door open as he/she assists the child.
For children over the age of five, at least one adult male should take boys to the restroom and at least one adult female should take girls. The worker should check the bathroom first to make sure that the bathroom is empty, then allow the children inside. The worker should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom.
For the protection of all, workers should never be alone with a child in a bathroom with the door closed and never be in a closed bathroom stall with a child. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children visit the bathroom prior to each class.
8. Accidental Injuries to Children
In the event that a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:
1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, workers will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
2. For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the worker’s supervisor. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
3. Once the child has received appropriate medical attention, an incident report will be completed in the case of injuries requiring treatment by a medical professional.