Ah Choo! Germs and Child Care

1. Review the child care program's health policies and follow them. Most programs have rules about when a child must stay out of care. The rules are there to protect your child and others. Even though your child may seem fine at home, remember that the home environment is very different from a group setting, which may tire him out more quickly. Do not bring your child to the child care if he is sick. You wouldn't want a sick child to come into the group and infect your healthy child.

2. Direct your provider to any health and safety information and resources you find. Hopefully she will appreciate your interest in the well being of ALL the children and the staff in the program.

3. Keep both yourself and your child strong so that your immune systems can fight off any germs you encounter. Get plenty of rest and exercise and eat a balanced diet.

4. Wash your hands and your child's hands when you arrive at the program and when you leave at the end of the day. Don't bring any germs in and don't take any home.

5. Wash your hands and your child's hands frequently at home. Who knows what you brought home from the office or the grocery store.

6. Learn the proper way to wash your hands. Go here for step-by-step instructions. http://www.suite101.com/topic_page.cfm/5...

Here's what I think I did wrong. I was very careful to wash my hands while I was in the child care classrooms, but I didn't wash my hands before I left. My visits were usually an hour or so from my home and ended around lunchtime. So as I drove home I'd eat or drink something in the car. Looking back on it, I'm lucky I wasn't sicker! I was spoon feeding my body a buffet of germs. Even though I knew about hand washing and preventing the spread of germs, I forgot to apply what I know to my particular situation and ended up with a box of tissue as my constant companion for several weeks. Winter is almost over. Windows will open and fresh air will flow in and clean out some of those germs. But disease prevention is a year round activity. You've heard of a "summer cold?" Take care of yourself and your child and I'll be back in April, on time. Think Spring!

Go To Page: 1 2