Updated 22/09/2022
Author Jo Keeling’s daughter, Isabelle, known as Izzy, was two when she managed to call an ambulance for her mother following a severe allergic reaction, otherwise known as anaphylactic shock. In the days that followed, Isabelle’s story reached the national newspapers as well as the national and local news.
Jo writes, “I wholeheartedly believe that children are so capable. I have received many emails from parents saying that their child had learnt to call 999 after the parent had read info from our website, or read the book and had put it into practice helping that parent in an emergency. It does work! Children are amazing. It must be a terrifying experience for a child to watch a parent suffer or be unconscious and not know what to do. At least if they have had previous instruction they won’t panic as much and can try and do something to help.”
Some practical information about how to teach children to dial 999 is located on the Izzy and Ollie website.
It is important to teach the children you look after how to call 999 in an emergency. You can keep the numbers on display written by the telephone and teach the children how to dial (but without actually pressing the ‘dial’ button). From about age three or four many children may be perfectly capable of doing this in an emergency.
As childminders, we work alone. This is a great investment of your time – it could literally save your life!
Would you like some ideas on how to promote safety and health in your childminding setting?
Be Safe Be Healthy MEGA Pack
As a childminder you have a choice about what activities you do with the children you look after so why not do some topics that could really make a difference to their lives? Taking the time to explore topics like healthy eating, making friends, sun safety, oral health, fire and road safety will not only really help the children, but it will make you feel that you are doing something truly valuable with the time you are spending with them.
This pack is a collection of 14 mini printable packs with resources to help childminders to teach 14 health and safety topics to 2-5 year old children.
Childminding Best Practice Club
Each month club members receive a special ‘toolkit’ containing a wealth of resources, including health and safety tips and advice. You will also be entitled to a 25% membership discount off lots of other Kids To Go products, (including the Be Safe, be Healthy MEGA Pack and the Ultimate Childminding Checklist,) helping you achieve best practice in every element of your work. When you join you will also receive a brand-new ‘New Member Welcome Pack.’
Free Childminding Best Practice Newsletters
Sign up for free Childminding Best Practice Newsletters to receive childminding and early years advice, business tips, free activities, news, first look at new products, special offers and more.
