Specialist Standard 10 – Toddlers and Preschoolers

This Care Standard provides clear rules and actionable steps for domestic helpers caring for toddlers and preschool-aged children (ages 1 to 5). It combines all core care areas to ensure you know how to keep the child safe, support their daily growth, and communicate effectively with their parents. Our shared goal is to provide a calm, respectful, and supportive environment where the child can thrive.

This Standard applies to all live-in helpers working within the family home. It covers all daily care routines, play-based learning activities, safety protocols, behavior management, and the essential communication needed between you and your employer.

Roles & Responsibilities

As the Helper, you will:

• Read and follow the specific instructions listed in the child’s care profile, paying special attention to allergies, medical notes, and living environment risks.
• Watch the child closely at all times to prevent accidents.
• Engage the child in safe, age-appropriate play and guide them through daily learning activities.
• Send daily updates and complete your required task forms to keep parents informed.

The Parents will:

• Set the family rules, discipline style, and daily schedule.
• Provide the right food, toys, and safe spaces for the child.
• Review your daily reports and provide feedback on your care methods.

Understanding Developmental Milestones

Toddlers and preschoolers grow quickly. Recognizing these basic milestones helps you support their learning effectively:

• Ages 1-2: Walking, pointing, saying single words, and exploring objects.
• Ages 3-4: Running, speaking in short sentences, asking “why,” and playing pretend.
• Age 5: Hopping, drawing simple shapes, sharing with others, and dressing themselves.

Daily Care Routines

Dietary Issues and Mealtime

• Check the Child Profile: Always read the child’s profile for specific allergies and medical notes before preparing food. Never give a child food if you are unsure about the ingredients.
• Prepare Safe Sizes: Cut food into very small pieces. Grapes, cherry tomatoes, and hot dogs must be cut in half lengthwise, and then into smaller pieces to prevent choking.
• Supervise All Meals: Sit with the child while they eat. Never leave them alone with food.
• Encourage Healthy Habits: Offer water instead of sugary drinks. Praise the child for trying new foods. If they refuse to eat, do not force them. Record this in your daily log and tell the parents later.
• Clean Up Safely: Wipe the highchair, table, and floor immediately after the meal to stop pests and keep the area hygienic.

Hygiene and Toilet Training

• Wash Hands Often: Wash the child’s hands with soap and water before meals, after playing outside, and after using the toilet. Wash your own hands frequently.
• Manage Toilet Training Calmly: When the parents start toilet training, ask them for their exact method. Ask the child often if they need to use the toilet.
• Handle Accidents Kindly: If the child wets their clothes, stay calm. Do not shame or scold them. Say, “It is okay, accidents happen. Let’s get clean clothes.”
• Keep Bathrooms Safe: Empty all buckets and bathtubs immediately after use. Lock all bathroom doors if the child is playing nearby.

Developmental Play & Activities

Children learn best through play. You must help their brain and body grow by doing these simple activities every day.

Language Development

• Ages 1-2: Name objects you see around the house. Say words clearly and wait for the child to repeat them. Talk to the child while you do daily tasks, like cooking or folding laundry.
• Ages 3-5: Read picture books together every day. Ask the child simple questions like, “Where is the dog?” or “What color is the car?” Listen patiently and give them time to finish their sentences.

Motor Skills and Physical Growth

• Fine Motor Skills (Small Movements): Give the child large blocks to build towers. Let them color using thick crayons. Ask them to help you sort safe items, like putting colorful plastic cups into a box.
• Gross Motor Skills (Large Movements): Take the child to a safe outdoor area or a local park. Let them run, jump, and climb on playground equipment meant for their age. Stand close by to catch them if they slip.

Cognitive Development

• Thinking and Learning: Play matching games using large cards. Limit screen time. Only allow the child to watch a tablet or TV if the parents give you clear permission. Active play is always better than looking at a screen.

Behavior & Emotional Management

Positive Behavior Management

• Set Clear Rules: Tell the child exactly what you want them to do. Say, “Please walk in the house,” instead of “Stop running.”
• Use Positive Praise: Notice when the child behaves well. Praise their effort, not just the result. Say, “You worked very hard to put your shoes away!”
• Redirect Bad Behavior: If a child plays with something dangerous, calmly move them away. Give them a safe toy instead.
• Follow Family Rules: Always use the discipline methods the parents choose. Never shout, hit, or physically punish the child.

Managing Tantrums Calmly

Toddlers and preschoolers often cry loudly or throw tantrums because they cannot express big feelings.

• Take a deep breath and keep your own emotions calm.
• Make sure the child is in a safe space where they cannot hit their head on hard furniture.
• Speak in a soft, low voice. Say, “I see you are upset. I am here to help you.”
• Wait quietly nearby for the child to calm down. Do not shout or try to argue with them. Once calm, offer a hug or a quiet activity.

Emotional Regulation

• Name the Feeling: When the child cries or yells, help them find the words. Say, “I see you are angry because the tower fell down.”
• Keep a Routine: Tired and hungry children have more tantrums. Ensure they take their naps and eat snacks at the same time every day.

Health, Safety & Childproofing

Safety is your most important responsibility. Homes in Asia often have balconies, stairs, or sit near busy roads.

Childproofing and Environment Checks

• Daily Checks: Look at the floor every morning. Pick up coins, batteries, and small toy parts so the child cannot swallow them.
• Secure Doors and Windows: Keep all balcony doors and low windows locked at all times.
• Lock Away Hazards: Put all cleaning liquids, medicines, and sharp knives in high cabinets equipped with child-safety locks.
• Review Living Environment Risks: Regularly check the child profile for any specific living environment risks the parents have noted.

Supervising Play

• Never leave the child alone in the bathtub or near water for even one second.
• Stay in the same room while the child plays.
• Hold the child’s hand tightly whenever you walk near a road or in a busy public place.

Coping Strategies for Carers

• Take Deep Breaths: If a child will not stop crying and you feel frustrated, step back safely. Take three deep breaths before you speak or act.
• Ensure Child Safety First: If you feel overwhelmed, put the child in a safe place, like a childproofed room or crib, and step outside the door for one minute to calm down.
• Rest When You Can: Use the child’s nap time to sit down, drink water, and rest your body.

Communication Protocols & Daily Logs

Good communication builds trust between you and your employer. They rely on your updates to know how their child is doing.

Daily Logging

• Use your daily task forms to record exactly what the child ate, how long they slept, and what activities you did.
• Record any minor scrapes or bumps immediately.
• Write down any new milestones, like learning a new word or sharing nicely.

Immediate Alerts

You must call or message the parents right away if:

• The child falls and hits their head, or gets a cut that bleeds.
• The child has a fever, vomits, or looks very sick.
• The child eats something they are allergic to.

Ask for Guidance

If you are ever unsure about a safety issue, a new behavior, or a specific instruction, stop and ask the parents. Tell the parents if you are struggling with a specific behavior (e.g., “He has been biting today, how do you want me to handle this?”). It is always better to ask a question than to guess when it comes to the child’s safety and well-being.