Keeping the child care environment clean is one of the best ways to help ensure that children stay healthy. Dirty toys, bedding, linens, eating utensils, and surfaces can carry and spread germs. Regular disinfecting should be a part of the routine in a child care setting.
Getting things clean and reducing the spread of germs requires two different steps:
Children in child care may be more susceptible to sharing illnesses because they spend so much time together. Immunizing children is a simple step that prevents the spread of potentially serious illnesses in the child care program. Be sure all children receive their immunizations on schedule to protect everyone’s health.
Most child care programs require that children be up-to-date on all immunizations. Parents who are enrolling their children in a child care program for the …
Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for young children. Young children are at higher risk of injuries overall, and certain injuries are more probable at different ages. Toddlers are most susceptible to poisoning, preschoolers to drowning, and school-aged children to pedestrian accidents. Children are more likely to be injured when they are not under appropriate adult supervision.
The vast majority of childhood injuries are preventable. Child care providers need to take specific steps to prevent injury in …
Child care providers play an important role in helping children learn how to be safe around cars. Whether you are taking preschoolers on a field trip or providing transportation for children to or from the child care program, you are the children’s role model for vehicle safety, both inside and outside the car or bus. Remember that staying safe around cars is something children need to learn. Teach the following rules to prevent vehicle-related injuries while children are in your …
Cutting teeth is an important milestone in babies’ physical development. Unfortunately, getting new teeth is an uncomfortable experience for some babies. Teething may cause fussiness, drooling and other signs of discomfort. Child care providers and parents can help babies get through the teething process.
Baby teeth begin appearing in most babies during the first year of life. The eruption of teeth does not begin at the same age for all children. Child care providers may notice an infant drooling, chewing …
Safe storing, preparing, and serving of foods is just as important in child care programs as serving a balanced diet. Many children and adults get sick from eating foods that are not properly handled. It’s important to follow food safety guidelines carefully whenever you buy, store, prepare, or serve food. Guidelines for food safety begin with food purchasing and continue through storing, preparing, serving, and cleaning up afterwards.
Whether you are a cook in a large child care center, or …
Promoting good dental health begins in early childhood. Child care providers can help children learn how to care for their teeth and encourage good dental hygiene.
Children who learn good oral hygiene habits early tend to practice good dental health as they get older and are less likely to have cavities and other dental problems. The following articles describe some ways that child care providers can help promote good dental health in children.
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As a child care provider, you know that unintentional injuries will happen from time to time. The best way to handle an unintentional injury is to be prepared before it happens. When you know how to respond in an emergency, and have the supplies you need, you are confident and can respond in a timely manner.
Injuries do happen, despite the best prevention efforts. A well-stocked first aid kit is an absolute must in every child …
Diapering and toileting are two of the most common times that germs are spread in child care. Child care providers need to know the right way to change diapers and appropriate ways to help children us the toilet in order to greatly reduce the spread of illness in the child care program. The following articles have specific ideas and information about safe and sanitary diapering and toileting in a child care setting.
Transporting young children safely is an important issue both for parents and for child care providers. If you are a child care provider transporting children, it is your responsibility to work with the parents to ensure that children ride in safe, approved and properly installed child safety seats.
Each state has specific laws regarding child passenger safety. Check with your specific state to see what the law requires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed recommendations for transporting …
