CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Schools

These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain. 

 

A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators. 

 

For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.

1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",

5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and

10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".

 

This is designed to be printed and done communally. 

 

FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

 

school is welcoming and inclusive of all students and their parents

programs are available that encourage walking or cycling to school (e.g., walking school buses, transportation cooperatives)
    
there is a relationship or link between the community and schools on policing issues, including police liaison officers for all schools

 

a variety of alternative and integrated programs are offered for students with language barriers or special needs    

 

no economic barriers exist that prevent participation in school activities or field trips

 

meaningful school activities and field trips are offered that encourage children and youth to get involved in the community

 

the school interacts with the larger community (e.g., community service programs, professionals presenting at schools)

 

curricula for students on health and safety is emphasized (see also Health Services and Technology domains)

 

curricula on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is emphasized

 

teachers are accountable and available to openly discuss with the parents any challenges faced or progress made by the child

 

a code of conduct promotes respect and fairness among students and between staff and students

 

student councils exist with a strong influence on school matters

 

peer counselling and other programs are available that provide leadership opportunities for students

 

meaningful student input in encouraged in teacher evaluations

 

meaningful student input into all school policies and practices

 

representation of students on all school committees

 

parents are involved in school activities and parent advisory committees have a strong influence on school matters

 

safe areas are designated for student drop-off and pick-up

 

emergency preparedness drills are regularly planned depending on the region (tsunami, earthquake, snow storm, oil spills, other natural disasters)

 

facilities are identified where students are allowed or encouraged to use outside regular school hours

 

qualified schoolyard leadership and supervision is encouraged

 

a range of play opportunities are available on site, for students of all ages and abilities

 

any meals or snacks that are provided to the children are nutritious

 

washrooms are child-friendly in that they have lowered sinks and smaller toilets for easy access or stools for children to stand on where appropriate

 

opportunities are available for older students to be in leadership roles and to act as mentors for the younger students

 

discipline policies include complaints mechanisms for children

 

policies are in place to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination by children and staff

 

measures are taken to reduce absences in school

 

school staff are trained in child development and cultural sensitivity

children’s privacy is respected

 

support services, such as professional development courses, are offered for school staff

 

after-school programs provide leadership and volunteer opportunities for older children and youth

 

programs such as career centres are available that support and encourage older youth to gain work and volunteer experience

 

traffic-calmed areas are regulated near schools and parks

 

early childhood education and school-age care programs are located on site (see Child Care and Early Childhood Education Domain)

OUR COMMUNITY IS

1- UNFRIENDLY             5- OK                     10-A LEADER