Child Safety, First Aid, and Emergency Response Procedures

Why Child Safety and Emergency Response Matter

As a preschool teacher, you are legally and ethically responsible for the safety of every child in your care. State childcare licensing regulations require that a minimum number of staff with current pediatric first aid and CPR certification are present at all times. The CDA credential also evaluates your ability to create and maintain safe environments. Knowing how to act quickly and correctly in an emergency is not optional — it is a core professional competency.

Pediatric CPR and Rescue Breathing

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain when the heart or breathing has stopped. Current guidelines from recognized training organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association distinguish between infant (under age 1) and child (age 1 to puberty) techniques.

Key steps for child CPR (lay rescuer sequence):

1. Check the scene for safety, then check the child for responsiveness.

2. Call out for help; direct a specific person to call 9-1-1 and retrieve the AED.

3. Check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

4. Begin chest compressions: push hard and fast in the center of the chest, at least one-third the depth of the chest. Allow full chest recoil between compressions.

5. After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths, each lasting about 1 second, just enough to see the chest rise.

6. Continue the 30:2 ratio until the AED arrives, the child shows signs of life, or trained medical help takes over.

Infant differences: Use two fingers (or two thumbs with hands encircling the chest if a second rescuer is present) on the breastbone just below the nipple line. The compression depth is still at least one-third the depth of the chest. For rescue breaths, cover both the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth.

AED use: Turn the AED on immediately when it arrives. Follow the audio and visual prompts. Use pediatric-capable pads or settings if the child is under 8 years old or under approximately 55 pounds; use adult pads if pediatric pads are unavailable. Ensure no one is touching the child when the AED analyzes and delivers a shock.

Responding to a Choking Emergency

Choking is a leading cause of injury and death in young children. Recognize choking by: a child who cannot cry, speak, or cough effectively; a high-pitched or silent cough; bluish color of the lips or skin (cyanosis); or clutching the throat.

For a conscious child (age 1 and older):

1. Ask, "Are you choking?" If the child cannot speak or cry, act immediately.

2. Call out for help or direct someone to call 9-1-1.

3. Give up to 5 back blows: lean the child forward, support the chest, and strike firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

4. Give up to 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver): kneel or crouch behind the child, place a fist above the navel and below the breastbone, cover with your other hand, and deliver quick inward-and-upward thrusts.

5. Alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the child loses consciousness.

6. If the child becomes unconscious, lower them carefully to the ground and begin CPR. Each time you open the airway to give breaths, look for and remove the object only if you can clearly see it — never perform blind finger sweeps.

For a conscious infant (under age 1): Use 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts). Support the infant face-down on your forearm for back blows, then face-up for chest thrusts on the breastbone.

Classroom Evacuation Drills

Every licensed childcare facility is required to have a written emergency action plan (EAP) and to conduct regular drills. During a drill or real emergency:

1. Give the evacuation signal calmly and clearly.

2. Take the classroom roster/accountability form and a basic first aid kit with you.

3. Move children quickly and calmly to the designated assembly area using the primary exit route; use the alternate route if the primary is blocked.

4. At the assembly area, call roll against the roster immediately. Account for every child by name.

5. Record the evacuation time using a stopwatch or clock.

6. Report to the designated supervisor and wait for an all-clear before re-entering.

Safety reminders for all emergency situations:

• Remain calm; your tone directly affects children's behavior.
• Never leave children unsupervised to seek help — send another adult or call out.
• Document every incident after the emergency is resolved, using your facility's required forms.
• Know the location of the AED, first aid kit, and emergency binder before an emergency occurs.
• Follow standard precautions (use gloves and face shields) to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens during first aid.

Skills Check Requirements

You must pass each hands-on station — CPR, choking response, and evacuation drill — to meet the practicum requirement. If you do not meet the pass standard on the first attempt, you will retry the skill in the same session. Certification from an approved program (such as American Red Cross Pediatric First Aid CPR AED) is a separate requirement that many states and employers mandate for licensure.