Health and safety refreshers: handwashing, sanitation, and illness policies - post

What are the three #health-and-safety habits that stop germs the fastest?

In child care, germs spread quickly. Children touch everything, and they are still learning hygiene skills. The good news is that a few strong habits can make a big difference.

Focus on these three daily basics:

• Handwashing (done the right way, at the right times)  

• Cleaning + sanitizing/disinfecting high-touch items and mouthed toys 

• Clear illness policies that families and #staff understand and follow  

If you want a simple, complete refresher on #health-and safety basics for providers, this course fits well: Administering Basic Health and Safety ONLINE Buy Now $24.00

When should children and staff wash hands in child care?

Handwashing is not just “after the bathroom.” In group care, timing matters.

Children should wash hands

• When they arrive at the classroom

• Before eating or helping with food

• After using the toilet or having a diaper change

• After #outdoor-play

• After touching body fluids (coughing, sneezing, wiping nose)

• After playing with #sensory bins, water tables, or shared materials

Staff should wash hands

• Before preparing food or feeding a child

• After diapering/toileting help

• After helping a child wipe nose or handling bodily fluids

• After cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting

• After removing gloves 

These routines protect everyone—children, families, and staff. 

What are the 5 steps for good handwashing (and how long should it take)?

The CDC recommends five steps every time: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry. The scrubbing part should be at least 20 seconds. 

A child-friendly way to teach it

• Wet hands

• Soap on

• Scrub while you sing a short song (like “Happy Birthday” twice)

• Rinse

• Dry

Quick tips that really help

• Show children how to scrub between fingers and under nails 

• Keep a step stool at sinks (so children feel steady)

• Use picture signs near sinks (great for non-native English speakers)

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What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?

These words sound similar, but they are not the same.

According to CDC guidance for #early-care and education settings: 

• Cleaning removes dirt and some germs (usually with soap/detergent and water). 

• Sanitizing reduces germs to a #safer level (often used for items that go in children’s mouths).

• Disinfecting uses stronger products to kill remaining germs after cleaning.

Easy rule to remember 

• Clean first.

• Then sanitize or disinfect, depending on the item. 

What should your daily sanitation checklist include?

A simple checklist keeps everyone consistent (even when the day is busy). Here are practical “must-dos” based on CDC early care and education guidance. 

Daily (and more often if needed)

• Tables used for meals and activities

• Bathroom sinks and handles

• Toilet seats/flush handles (or potty chairs, per your policy)

• Door knobs and light switches

• Shared classroom phones/tablets

• High-touch toys and #play-areas 

Mouthed toys need special attention

• Set up a “used toy bin” for toys that went in mouths

• Clean first, then sanitize before they go back to the shelf 

During an illness outbreak

• Increase cleaning of high-touch surfaces

• Clean and disinfect toys used by sick children before sharing (or remove toys that can’t be cleaned) 

For a full training refresher on reducing illness spread in group settings, this course is a strong match: Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Buy Now $16.00

What should an illness policy include (so families know what to expect)?

An illness policy is not meant to punish families. It protects the group and sets clear expectations. A strong policy usually includes:

• Daily health check at arrival (quick look for fever, severe cough, rash, behavior changes)

• When children must stay #home

• When children can return

• How families should report illness

• How the program communicates exposures/outbreaks

• Staff illness rules ( #staff-should not work sick) 

A helpful printable tool from ChildCareEd is the Illness Exclusion Quick Reference Chart:
Illness Exclusion Quick Reference Chart

It’s designed to support fast, consistent decisions and clear communication. 

When should a child stay home, and when can they return?

Rules can vary by state and local health department, so always follow your program’s policy and licensing rules.

But in general, CDC guidance for schools and child settings highlights that children should stay home when they cannot participate or when their care needs make it hard to #safely care for the group. 

Common reasons programs exclude (often included in illness charts/policies)

• Fever with signs of illness or behavior change

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea

• A rash with fever or fast-spreading rash

• Trouble breathing

• Symptoms that require one-on-one care all day

Return-to-care usually means

• Symptoms improving

• Child can join normal activities

• Fever/vomiting/diarrhea resolved for the time listed in your program policy

• Any required medical notes are provided (if your policy requires this) 

Tip: Many children have mild cold symptoms and can still do fine in care. The key question is: “Can the child participate safely today?” 

How do you talk to families about illness without conflict?

These conversations can be emotional. Families may worry about missing work or losing pay. A calm, #respectful script helps.

Try this 3-step message

• Start with care: “I’m sorry your child isn’t feeling well.”

• Say what you see (facts): “Today we noticed vomiting and low energy.”

• Point to the policy/tool: “Our illness policy says children need to go home and rest. Here is the chart we use.”

For a related ChildCareEd article that connects to health and safety training expectations, read:
Demystifying the Online MSDE Basic Health and Safety Course

And for quick reminders you can share with staff, follow ChildCareEd on YouTube and hit “Subscribe” for new tips:
https://www.youtube.com/@childcareed 

When you keep handwashing strong, sanitize smart, and follow clear illness rules, you’re doing more than “stopping germs.” You’re building a safer, calmer program for everyone. #HealthyClassroom