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Reducing workload and utilising the tools at hand

We’re all puffed. We're all stretched. We need to find ways to work smarter not harder. To help overcome the overwhelm, we have collated some ideas that have been utilised through working with a number of centres over the past 12 months.We often don’t actually have the time or the energy to actually think about managing the workload. When we do, it can often add to the anxiety and stress that comes with being in a leadership role like yours.Let's look at what we can do about it....

How do I remember Staff Birthdays?

We've been busy here at SafetyNest. In an effort to make reporting easier, we've added two new tools, graph templates and the graph importer. To add a new graph (or in this case data set), find the graph importer as pictured below:...

Risky Play – to risk or not to risk?

More and more research is being done on the benefits of allowing children to engage in risky play and how important this is, particularly in the early years. All too often as a modern society, we feel that there are too many rules in place that make we as adults feel unsafe to let our tamariki learn to assess their own abilities and therefore which risks they should and shouldn’t take.   We as teachers and parents shouldn’t necessarily let a child put themselves in real danger, for exam...

Covid-19 What do we do now?

With so much information going around, particularly on social media, it is getting more and more difficult not to be concerned, or to know what information to pay attention to. One thing we know for certain is that the situation is evolving, and it is likely to be an ongoing issue. SafetyNest will cover some of the important things you need to know from a practical as well as legislative point of view.  Our illness register tool will be available by the end of this week. This will include ...

Escaping children or those left behind...

We have a story to share. A long, long time ago, one of our founders found 50 cents in the sandpit at his preschool. He then somehow opened the gate, walked the two blocks to the local shop, spent the 50 cents on lollies and returned to his friends a real hero with lollies to share. 🍬🍫 Thankfully he was ok (and still thinks he is pretty cool for escaping without being noticed) and things have since come a long way in terms of keeping our kids safe. This article from My ECE h...

It's Christmas Time! Do you know your obligations to your staff?

The festive season is coming, bringing with it lots of merry cheer and fun. The kids are brimming over with excitement about Santa and the team will all be looking forward to a break in the summer sun. However, it is not all sunshine and beach trips! When it comes to running an ECE Centre, there are your employer responsibilities to think of too. Are you ready for the Christmas break? If you are worried about the upcoming silly season, then stop panicking. Here at SafetyNest, we have you cover...

Keeping Children Safe While Gardening

And when it comes to gardening with children in an early childhood setting, those three small words can be an even greater concern, but they don’t need to be. The health and safety issues are outweighed by the benefits children gain from gardening. However, they do need to be discussed and addressed. Here is what Anita from Growing Kiwi Gardeners shared with us. Some of the questions I have been asked since I began Growing Kiwi Gardeners and started gardening programmes in early childhood cent...

The time for change is now

There’s been a recent rise in the number of complaints received by ECE Centres and, according to a Ministry of Education report, a regulation overhaul is needed.  Let's explore: Complaints are normal in any business. But it doesn’t mean they're something you want to receive! If you have seen an increase in the number of complaints received at your Centre then you're not alone. Concerns and official complaints about early childhood centres have been steadily increasing in recent years. T...

The Importance Of Collecting Health And Safety Data In Early Childhood Centres

Health and safety is a top priority for anyone working in the early childhood education (ECE) sector. The large amount of requirements and regulations creates a lot of work for ECE centre staff and managers. Records have to be well kept so that accurate data can be collected and utilised. While this might sometimes feel like a thorn in your side, it is essential for the wellbeing of the children and staff at your centre. Effective use of this data can also make a huge difference to the efficienc...

A Guide to Choking in Children

Having a child choke on an object or piece of food is a fear for all parents and caregivers.Infants and toddlers naturally put objects in their mouths as a way of learning and exploring new things. They are more prone to choking on food as they are still developing their biting, chewing, and swallowing skills. They also have small air and food passages, which puts them at greater risk of blockages.So, what can you do about it? Especially in a childcare centre when there are so many children in t...

How far away are your emergency services?

We can’t predict when emergencies will happen.Aotearoa New Zealand is particularly prone to natural emergencies – earthquakes, severe weather, and floods. On top of that, an early childcare centre has additional health and safety concerns that they need to be prepared for, such as medical emergencies, fire evacuations, and security threats.There have been a series of health and safety related events around the country in recent years that have involved or impacted early childhood centres. Th...

Planning For Violence And Situations At Your Centre

Recent events in New Zealand have put everyone on high alert. Most of the country is more concerned about safety and security than we have ever been before.The trouble is, recent history tells us there are some dangers you cannot hope to predict. So, you must be prepared if the unthinkable happens.Planning for violent situations is incredibly important for early childhood centres. This is especially true when you are responsible for the safety of young children. In this update, we take a look at...