Tag: child care health and safety

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Toy Safety in Child Care

 

 

Toy dinosaur

Toys are an important part of children’s learning in child care, but providers need to choose carefully to keep children safe. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, in one year, 150,000 toy-related injuries were serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Falls are the most frequent kind of accident, but many serious injuries result from children swallowing small parts, placing tiny toys in noses or ears, and from cutting themselves on sharp edges. The following suggestions can …

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Health and Safety in Child Care

first aid

Keeping children of all ages safe and healthy is one of the most important tasks of child care providers. Whether children are in center- or home-based care, providers are responsible for ensuring safety both inside and outside their child care setting.

Health and safety are major concerns for child care providers when transporting children. They should be prepared to prevent injuries and illnesses to handle emergencies. The following articles have more specific information and tips for keeping children healthy and …

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Hand Washing in Child Care

Children washing hands

Keeping all children healthy is an important goal of child care programs, and washing hands carefully and thoroughly can help children and child care providers prevent the spread of germs that cause illness. Thorough hand washing can remove as much as 90 percent of the virus-containing particles and bacteria on your skin. That’s a lot of protection from infection for the amount of time and effort it takes. Child care providers and children should wash their hands regularly during the …

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Medication in Child Care

Jet nebulizer

Child care providers need to use caution when giving medications to children in their care. Medications include those prescribed by a doctor, such as antibiotics and nebulizers, and medicines a parent purchased over the counter. Keep in mind that creams and ointments such as diaper rash cream, sunscreen, and insect repellent are also considered medications. Child care providers must have written consent and instructions from a parent to give children any type of medication, including sunscreen or diaper rash …

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Preventing Illness in Child Care

Children washing hands

Because children in child care spend so much time together, it’s not unusual for germs to spread. Child care providers can reduce the spread of common illnesses by using simple precautions like thorough hand washing and keeping surfaces and toys clean. Child care programs can also help prevent the spread of illnesses by requiring immunizations and by developing rules to exclude children with specific symptoms. The following articles will help child care providers, directors, and parents keep children …

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Preparing a Vehicle Safety Kit for Your Child Care Program

First aid bag

Field trips can be valuable learning experiences for young children in a child care program. Unfortunately, emergencies can happen on these outings. However, with careful planning, child care providers can help ensure that children are safe and that you are prepared to handle minor emergencies. A vehicle safety kit will help you be prepared for breakdowns, minor medical emergencies, and other challenges such as unexpected bad weather. A well-stocked vehicle safety kit will help you handle unexpected problems on the …

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Car Safety in Child Care

Britax car seat

Child passenger safety is a big concern for all involved in child care. Parents who bring children to and from a child care program want to be sure they are riding safely. Child care programs that transport children — including driving to and from children’s homes and transporting children on field trips — want to be up-to-date on the latest advances in child passenger safety. The following articles have some basic information about keeping children buckled up safely.

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Guidelines for Excluding Sick Children from Child Care

Thermometer

Although most parents would not take a very ill child to child care, they may try to leave a child who is recovering from a mild illness or injury. State regulations usually specify under what conditions children must be excluded from child care. Child care programs should provide parents with information to help them clearly understand state regulations and their policy on sick children.

When deciding whether to accept a child who has been sick, it is important to consider …

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What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

crib

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old. It is the leading cause of death in children between 1 month and 1 year of age. Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4 months of age. Child care providers can help reduce the risk of SIDS by using safe sleeping practices with infants.

What Causes SIDS?

No one knows for sure what causes SIDS. Factors that …

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Insect Repellent and Sunscreen Safety Tips for Children in Child Care

Insect repellent and sunscreen may seem harmless, but they are still medications. Child care providers using these chemicals need to treat them like any other medication. Be sure parents sign release forms allowing you to administer these substances to their children. The following guidelines will help you use insect repellent and sunscreen safely.

Mosquito repellent

Insect Repellent

  • When using insect repellent, apply it to your own hands and then rub it on the child. Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s
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