Course Glossary
1. Course Glossary
Course Glossary
accreditation: a voluntary process through which child care programs demonstrate that they meet standards of excellence in child care
This process is designed to help families select the best available care for their children.
child abuse: anything that endangers the development, security, or survival of a child
A child is anyone under the age of 18.
Child Care Licensing Regulation: the legislation stating the minimum standards that must be met for a child care centre to receive a licence and provide care for children
communicable disease: an infectious disease that can be transmitted from one individual to another either directly or indirectly
diarrhea: the passage of feces with an unformed or watery consistency and which may include blood, pus, or mucus
domestic violence: abusive behaviour used by one intimate partner to control and dominate the other
emergency situation: a situation where a youth’s or child’s life is endangered as a result of abandonment or as a result of alcohol or drug use
emotional abuse: any abuse that causes serious mental or emotional harm to a child
financial abuse: a form of domestic violence in which the abuser uses money as a means of maintaining power and control over his or her partner
infection: an invasion of your body by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or other germs that may cause a disease or an illness
licence: a document indicating that the standards, as outlined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation, have been met by a child care centre
The licence must be posted in the child care centre.
neglect: a lack of care
nurturing: what child care providers do when they conscientiously try to meet children’s social and emotional needs
outbreak: when two or more people (staff and/or children) develop the same illness from an exposure to a common source, or if an illness is transmitted from person to person in your facility
physical abuse: the intentional use of force on any part of a child’s body that results in serious injuries
protocol: rules or expectations for appropriate behaviour
ritual: an activity done consistently every time
routine: an event that occurs every day at about the same time
Routines provide a safe, stable, and consistent framework for the day. Physical routines are those regularly reoccurring times organized to meet children’s physical needs. They include the activities of eating, resting or sleeping, diapering, and toileting.
sexual abuse: the improper exposure of a child to sexual contact, activity, or behaviour
transition time: the time children spend moving from one part of the day to another