Reducing illness in Child Care

Many parents are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief now that the miserable winter weather is over and along with it the constant barrage of colds, flu and every other virus under the sun.

While they may get a bit of a break, unless the daycare center or home employs a few basic hygiene and cleaning particles.

Hand Washing
Hand washing is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection. To be effective however, hand washing must be done properly and frequently.

HANDWASHING  FOR STAFF

1)   Use soap and warm running water.
2)   Wet your hands and add soap.
3)   Rub your hands vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds.
4)   Wash all surfaces, including the backs of hands and between fingers.
5)   Rinse your hands well under running water for 5 to 10 seconds.
6)   Dry your hands well with a towel. Turn off  the taps with a paper towel.
7)   Dispose of the cloth or paper towel.
8)   Apply hand lotion, as needed.

Cleaning & Sanitizing
Diapering areas should be sprayed or wiped with bleach solution after each use to reduce the risk or diarrhea.

Other Germ Eliminating Ideas
There are a number of other things a provider can do to eliminate or stop the spread of germs.  She can:

• Teach the children how to cough or sneeze with their hand properly over their mouth and nose and to toss out the tissues as soon as they are through with them
• Keep cots and cribs far enough apart so that the children are not breathing, coughing, or sneezing on each other and make sure the same child uses the same cot/ crib every day
• Open windows daily to air out the facility.
• Give each child a separate place to keep their belongings
• Teach the children NOT to share toothbrushes, cups, hairbrushes or food
• Have an area where a sick child can comfortably be separated from the other children until their parents arrive
• Have a policy in places that excludes a child with a contagious disease and let parents know
  about this policy
• Inform parents of any contagious disease affecting any of the other children at the facility, and
• Make certain each child’s immunizations are up – to – date.