Child care professionals also have responsibilities regarding the clothing children wear during the time they spend at child care facilities because the clothing also influences the quality of their experiences. Clothes can affect children’s health, safety, comfort, play and learning and therefore child care professionals in charge should consider it very important. Children’s clothing can deliver a significant impact upon their health, safety and wellbeing. There are various factors related to this issue such as the type of clothes that children wear as well as when and how these clothes are worn. In addition, a child’s age is also an important consideration for child care professionals when they determine how a child’s clothing may affect their comfort and safety. The following are some issues that child care professionals may consider:

1. Temperature

   It is important that children are not over or under dressed. Clothing also has to suit the temperature. The smaller the child the more easily they can become chilled or overheated. Natural fibres such as cotton are generally cooler than acrylic fabrics. For sleep, babies and younger toddlers should be dressed warmly and regular checks need to be conducted to see if they sleep comfortably and warm enough.

2. Footwear

   It is important for children to wear safe, comfortable footwear that fits well. Besides support, shoes must also provide protection for the feet. Shoes that give little protection or support or the ones that have raised heels or soles can cause accidents.

3. Sun protection

   Children need protection from the sun. Tightly woven fabrics such as t-shirt material, long sleeves and long trousers offer good protection. Hats are also essential to protect children from the sun. Choose hats with soft brims to allow for movement and provide for maximum protection.

4. Clothing types and accessories

   It is important that the design and fit of clothes and accessories, including those for dressing up play, are safe. There are several items that can put children at risk. Long hems may trip children and items such as capes, scarves, necklaces, long drawstrings and ribbons also present strangulation or tripping hazards. Child care professionals need to ensure that children engaging in dress up play are carefully supervised to monitor any clothing hazards.

5. Clothing fabrics

   Children can be very sensitive to scratchy fabrics while others may have an allergic reaction to some treatments on clothes, including particular detergents. All clothes that children wear, especially those for sleeping, must be low fire danger.
Apart from considering the health, safety and wellbeing of the children, child care professionals also need to respect children as well as appreciate their individuality. Respects can be given by building opportunities for them to make choices in relation to getting dressed and the clothing they wear.