What are the needs of our children?

What are your motives for starting an ELO? What will your ELO offer that children in your community need? Before you open the doors of your ELO, consider any elements that may be wanting in the lives of the children of your community.

Safety — Children need to feel safe among their peers, among the adults in the program, and within the program facility. Is your ELO equipped to create a safe environment?

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care offers links to documents in Ohio law that regulate health and safety in child care. A document entitled Stepping Stones to Using Caring for Our Children discusses safety policies and practices, building safety, staff training and policy, and infection control.

The Children's Safety Network (CSN) National Injury and Violence Prevention Resource Center provides resources and technical assistance to organizations seeking to reduce unintentional injuries and violence to children and adolescents.

National Program for Playground Safety offers a "report card" for your playground, 10 Steps to Safer Playgrounds, and tips to limit sun exposure.

Cross cultural needs — Do your community's children hail from different cultural backgrounds? Do some have difficulty with English? Are racial tensions high in your community?

People for Peace Conflict Resolution Center provides ideas for conflict resolution, including a special section for children. Also includes stories for children and other activities.

English as a Second Language is an online source for information about teaching and learning English as a second language.

 

Mentoring from older children/adults — If the children in your program have problems at school or at home, will your ELO be a place where they can find guidance and support? How will you structure your program to be sure this interaction takes place? Does your programming allow children to experiment -- and possibly make mistakes -- in a forgiving, encouraging environment? Will children be allowed to learn from each other?

The National Mentoring Partnership describes how to become an effective mentor, how to improve your mentoring skills, and ideas for mentor/mentee activities.

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