Experts state that the first step to creating a safe environment in kindergartens and nurseries is ensuring safety in physical environmental conditions, adding that everyone from school management to families has a role to play.
Occupational Health and Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur emphasized that, considering the age groups of kindergarten and nursery children, chemical cleaning materials in particular should be stored out of reach of children, in places and ways that do not attract their interest. He said, “For the health and safety of our children, establishing a safe environment and making it sustainable should be prioritized by creating a safety culture in schools.” Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur underlined that not only the management and staff, but also parents have a responsibility in providing a safe environment, and added, “After spending time at school, children will spend time with their families at home, so they will adopt their behaviors and movements.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Occupational Health and Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur provided information about the safety measures to be taken for children's safety in kindergartens and nurseries and the importance of a safety culture.
“A safe environment contributes to children's upbringing with a safety culture”
Reminding that kindergartens and nurseries are the first institutions where children develop fastest physically, mentally, and socially, and receive early education, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur said, “I want to underline 'receiving early education' here. Because, as our ancestors said, 'A tree bends while it is young.' The safe environment and safety measures taken in kindergartens and nurseries not only ensure the protection of children but also create a supportive environment for them to grow up with a certain safety culture and awareness, and to prioritize their own safety in their learning and working lives in the coming years.”
Flooring suitable for both children's physical and psychological health should be preferred
Occupational Health and Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur pointed out that the first step to creating a safe environment in kindergartens and nurseries is ensuring safety in physical environmental conditions, and stated, “Hard surfaces like concrete should not be used for floor coverings inside nurseries and kindergartens. PVC flooring material can be preferred due to its antibacterial and shock-absorbing properties. Additionally, to ensure children can play safely, rubber flooring should be preferred in play areas due to its soft and shock-absorbing features. Although plastic and rubber floors should be preferred for children's safety and health, if possible, creating sand or soil/grass play areas where children can release their negative energy in kindergartens and nurseries will also have a positive effect on the child's psychological health.”
Chemical products used for cleaning can attract children's curiosity!
Underlining that furniture and play equipment in kindergartens and nurseries should be designed appropriately for children's age and developmental level, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur said, “Sharp corners should be softened and securely mounted to the wall. Electrical outlets must be protected with covers, and doors and windows should be designed for children to use safely.”
Reminding that children in this age group are more susceptible to infections and diseases as their immune systems are still developing, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur continued:
“Moreover, kindergarten and nursery children are more curious than other age groups and will want to experience everything they see around them. In this situation, a great responsibility falls on the management and staff. Because products like window cleaner used for cleaning can attract children's curiosity, and children might drink these chemicals out of curiosity or by mistake, leading to poisoning. To prevent such situations, dangerous chemicals or objects must be stored out of reach of children, in places and ways that do not attract their interest. Strict hygiene rules must be followed during the preparation and serving of meals. Furthermore, children should be encouraged to learn how to wash their hands and acquire this habit.”
“Establishing a safety culture in schools should be prioritized”
Drawing attention to the fact that earthquake risk is one of the most priority issues for families and schools residing especially in the Marmara Region and Istanbul, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur said, “Precaution and education are among the most important measures that can be taken against earthquakes. Because we do not know when an earthquake will come. Therefore, kindergartens and nurseries must have a detailed emergency plan for fire, earthquake, or other emergency situations. Drills for such situations should be conducted with all personnel and children, especially the management, because children being aware during any emergency is a life-saving important matter.”
Underlining that regular inspections and risk assessments must also be carried out in kindergartens and nurseries, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur continued:
“Risk assessments will be an effective method in proactively identifying potential dangers that our children may encounter in kindergartens and nurseries. Furthermore, the inspection of kindergartens and nurseries is an important factor for the sustainability of the safe environment here. So, is there a way to provide a safe environment in kindergartens and nurseries without inspections? At this point, for the health and safety of our children, and for the creation and sustainability of a safe environment, establishing a safety culture in schools should be prioritized.”
OHS trainings should include both physical and psychological awareness
“For a safety culture to be formed in kindergartens and nurseries, continuous and accurate training of management and educators on OHS standards is of vital importance in ensuring a safe environment,” said Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur, “These trainings should be provided to enable staff to provide conscious and safe environmental conditions both physically and psychologically. Personnel receive training to correctly understand children's needs, proactively identify potential dangers, and respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations. In addition, children's psychological safety is also taken into consideration. Staff learn how to establish healthy and supportive communication with children. However, when we talk about a safety culture, it is important to know that trainings are not just a formality. Everyone should play an active role in safety to ensure a safe environment.”
Safety culture should be disseminated not only in schools but also throughout society
Emphasizing that not only the management and staff but also parents have a responsibility in providing a safe environment in kindergartens and nurseries, Dr. Lecturer Sertaç Temur concluded:
“After spending time at school, children will spend time with their families at home, so they will adopt their behaviors and movements. Therefore, informing parents about their children's safety and health and raising their awareness plays a critical role in the success of OHS and safety culture practices.
To ensure our children receive a healthy and safe education in kindergartens and nurseries, the goal should be to disseminate this culture, which will contribute to creating a safe environment, not only within the institution but also at home and in the community.”
