Offering Mobile Care allows you to reach out to newcomer families in the community and provide child care while the parents participate and attend your settlement services. In offering this service you can reach a larger number of newcomer families and assist in their successful transitions to life in Canada.
As an administrator, the selection of toys and equipment for your Mobile Care program falls under your responsibilities. Part of your role is to ensure that the caregivers have sufficient toys and equipment to operate the sessions.
Mobile Care has special requirements and need to be viewed differently than regular care. This information will support you in making informed choices when selecting toys and equipment for your Mobile Care program. It can help you:
- Reduce costs by purchasing quality/appropriate items the first time, which avoids having to repurchase new items.
- Understand what to choose, allowing you to allocate your funds more effectively.
- Select toys and equipment that will stand up to the wear and tear of the number of children attending a Mobile Care program.
- Improve the quality of care in your program, and in turn, increase engagement of staff, volunteers and children.
- Reduce any potential risk and liability by buying safe products.
Selecting Toys and Equipment
There are many factors you will need to consider when selecting toys and equipment. The quality and safety in the selections you make can have direct impact on the success of your program. With Mobile Care, the locations, caregivers and children are often changing; and as a result, there are numerous variables associated with it. Another important element to bear in mind is that Mobile Care is available to multi age groups often for short periods of time.
The children come from diverse backgrounds and communities. Accordingly, there are a wide array of interests, ages and cultural preferences to consider. An extensive variety of culturally and developmentally age appropriate toys is essential to running a safe and successful program. In some organizations, Mobile Care may be offered in multiple locations on the same day. It is necessary, therefore, to purchase toys and equipment that can be easily transported between multiple locations.
Before you begin shopping or ordering toys and equipment, it is essential to clarify your priorities. Create an inventory list for the amount and type of materials that would be beneficial for each location. The type of toys and equipment available can affect the quality of care the children receive in your programs. By providing a wide range of safe, culturally diverse and age appropriate toys, your caregivers will be supported in caring for the children and planning activities. By choosing appropriate toys and equipment you will also enhance the new children’s ability to learn, explore and to relax in their new environment.
Considerations for Choosing Toys and Equipment
When choosing toys for newcomer children, it is essential to remember that they may not be familiar with mainstream toys and equipment.
Toys and materials that have a focus on North American stereotypes may be difficult for them to relate to; for example, Disney and Barbie. It is best to select toys and equipment that reflect all the diverse cultures that your program serves. This will promote an inclusive environment where every child can feel and comfortable. For children with English as a second language, the instructions of toys, games and materials need to be easy to ready and follow.
Avoid purchasing toys and equipment that have a gender bias. Since Mobile Care is for multi age groups, the toys and equipment should be appropriate for a wide range of ages and in large enough quantities that everyone in the group can benefit. When you provide toys and equipment that stimulate the children in your program you will be helping to support their social/emotional developmental needs.
By purchasing appropriate toys and equipment you can improve the quality of the care you offer and reduce any potential safety risks for the children. In addition to your budget, here is a list of other key points to consider when you are selecting toys and equipment for you program.
- Purchase equipment that is fun, safe, durable and designed for group care.
- Consider the number of children you are expecting at each session, their ages, and the type of space available for the activities.
- Select bias free toys and materials that reflect each age group and a variety of children’s experiences and environment. Have materials that relate to the seasons and the program.
- Choose toys and equipment that can be used in a number of ways or by multiple children at the same time. This will help reduce your costs.
- Purchase a variety of culturally sensitive toys for newcomer children and have a balance in the choice of materials for the group.
- Ensure the toys and equipment are in good and safe condition. Caregivers should check for sharp edges, small and/or broken parts.
- Choose toys that can be easily sanitized and stored appropriately after each use.
- Purchase storage containers that are easy to transport and store and allow caregivers to easily identify the contents.
- The cost associated with toys and equipment that require a great deal of maintenance the approximate life of the toys and equipment before requiring replacement, as well as batteries required.
Purchasing Toys and Materials
It’s a good idea to work with your caregivers when selecting and purchasing toys and equipment. The ECE has been trained to understand child development and the materials that support that development. Their expertise will assist you in choosing appropriate materials. Working with a reputable company that specializes in toys and equipment for group care will ensure that you purchase the highest quality materials and equipment. These companies also offer warranties that are not always available in local stores.
As the administrator responsible, if you decide to acquire toys and materials from donations, second hand stores, dollars stores and/or yard sales, you will want to ensure that they are clean, safe and are made of non-toxic materials. It is also responsible to make sure that care givers follow procedures for checking toys and equipment for any broken, missing parts/pieces and that they are not on any recall lists. Remember too that there will be an ongoing need for you to maintain and replace toys and equipment.
The space selection form found in the requirements will help to support you with what you will need to purchase. When you select your space(s) you will be able to determine what is included and what extras you will need.
Available on the CMAS website is a list of toys and equipment that make up a mobile kit for hosting a Mobile Care session for up to 20 children.
The Administrative Kit – covers items that the caregivers will need to operate the session.
The Toys & Craft Kit – lists basic supplies for preschool and school age crafts. This kit can be supplemented with additional items to expand arts and crafts ideas.
The Health & Safety Kit – lists items and precautions that may be necessary for the provision of Mobile Care in a space not specifically designed for children.
Please visit our website for further resources and support: www.cmascanada.ca.
