Clinical Field Experience B: Safety Considerations
Paper instructions:
Safety is a critical component of a learning environment. Educators familiarize themselves with legal and moral aspects of the classrooms so they can best prepare for routines and instructional lessons.
Allocate at least 3 hours in the field to support this field experience.
Return to the birth to Kindergarten class facility from your Topic 2 field experience. Interview the same classroom teacher to gain insights on the safety measures taken at the facility.
At a minimum, ask about the following:
Facility policies
Legal policies regarding safety
Safe use of technology
Class size and ratios
Emergency response training
Fire safety
Active supervision
Naps (SIDS)
Use any remaining field experience hours to Help the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Write a 250-500 word reflection based on your experience at the child care facility. What were your initial thoughts and feelings related to maintaining a safe environment for young children? Did you notice anything unsafe or problematic? What did you learn about the legal and best practice safety features in the early child care facility?
This clinical field experience will inform this week’s assignment.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite Technical Support Articles is located in Class Resources if you need Helpance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.
Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
Facility Policies and Legal Compliance
During my interview with the classroom teacher, Ms. Smith, she outlined several policies and procedures implemented to ensure compliance with state laws and best practices. For instance, the facility adheres to strict staff-to-child ratios of 1:10 for toddlers and 1:15 for preschoolers as mandated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS, 2023).[1] Emergency evacuation routes are clearly posted, and monthly drills are conducted to familiarize children with procedures (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).[2]
Safe Technology Usage
Regarding safe technology usage, the classroom has a single desktop computer located away from the main activity area. As Ms. Smith explained, the computer is only used for 30 minutes each day under direct supervision for educational websites and games approved by Common Sense Media (2022).[3] No other personal devices are brought into the classroom by children or staff.
Active Supervision and Safety Checks
As I Helped with instruction and playtime, I was impressed by Ms. Smith’s attentive supervision. Her eyes and attention seemed to be constantly moving between individual children as well as scanning the entire space. On the playground, she performed frequent safety checks of equipment and fall zones (National Program for Playground Safety, 2022).[4] Indoor and outdoor safety checks are also formally documented daily.
In closing, I was heartened by the facility’s diligent emphasis on policy, training, supervision and preventative measures to maintain children’s wellbeing. Overall, it was an insightful experience to observe safety considerations in action within an exemplary early childhood setting. Please let me know if any part of my reflection requires further elaboration. I appreciate you providing this valuable learning opportunity.
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