Providing care for children is an extremely important responsibility as children

rely on the nurturing that both parents and educators provide to thrive and
develop. Due to the level of importance that care routines place on educators,
there are many implications that need to be considered when applying these
routines in an early childhood setting. In particular, implications associated
with sleeping and nappy changing for infants and feeding and toilet training
for pre-schoolers need to be considered.

When providing care routines, educators need to follow the policies and
procedures outlined by governing early childhood bodies such as the National
Quality Standards (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority
[ACECQA], 2018) and the Early Years Learning Framework (Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2009). Failure to
do so results in infringements and fines that not only impact on educators but
the centre’s rating and overall reputation. In addition, these infringements
impact on children’s development, as the level of care that they are receiving
is not adequate enough to meet the high standards and demands associated
with the early years.

Ways of reducing the risk of failing to meet the requirements of care needed
for children in the early years is to provide an integrated approach to health,
safety and nutrition that meets the needs of not only the children but also the
families of these children. This can be done by building on current routines
that families may have established at home, as well as collaborating with
families to ensure that the standard of children’s care is being met at home.
Educators can also provide information and help to families who may be
struggling with the importance of providing high quality experiences to
children.