A Critical Analysis of the Effectiveness in Implementation of Health and Safety Services in Kenya Prepreschools

Abstract

Children need to grow up in a free from violence environment. They should live in safe neighborhood and attend nurturing preschools that provide them with services and support that they need to thrive in learning. Preschools are sanctuaries for learning and teaching. Some of the challenges that affect health and safety in preschools include administrators’ and teachers’ knowledge on health and safety policy, school compound, First Aid supplies, condition of play equipments and materials. The objectives of this study included examining effects of administrators’ and teachers’ knowledge on health and safety services in preschools in Kenya; establishing the relationship between school compound and health and safety in preschools in Kenya; determining how First Aid supplies affect health and safety in preschools in Kenya;   to establish whether there is a relationship between play equipment and materials with health and safety in preschools in Kenya. The research method used was content analysis method which evaluated words or phrases within a range of texts that is related to health and safety of children. Recommendations included forming a risk assessment committee in preschools who should be monitoring health and safety within the schools, preschools and health committees should be inducted on their roles to ensure procurement of health and safety equipments, use of repair and maintenance of funds to facilitate repairs in the preschools and also source fund from Non Governmental Organization, and having a community advisory committee who will be in charge of health and safety in the community. A room for First Aid should be allocated in every preschool where First Aid kit and first supplies are kept in accessible place.

Keywords: Health, safety, preschool, Kenya.