How can child care programs stop germs and keep children healthy? - post

Working in child care means caring for busy little bodies every day. This article gives clear, easy steps you can use right away to slow the spread of infection in your program. It includes simple routines, illness policy tips, cleaning rules, and what to do in an outbreak. Use the links below for templates and trainings. Remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency.

Why does infection control matter in my child care program?

Why it matters:

1. Fewer sick days lets children learn more and families worry less.
2. Clear routines make daily work easier for staff and kinder for families.
3. Training and records help you meet rules and keep kids safe—see the training Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.

Five key words to remember: in your #handwashing routine, keep a clean #cleaning plan, use a clear #policy for illness, promote #vaccination, and protect #children.

What simple routines stop germs every day?

1. 🧼 Handwashing: Teach and supervise handwashing. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use sanitizer (60%+ alcohol) only when soap and water aren’t available. The CDC explains hand hygiene in ECE settings here.
2. 🧽 Clean, then sanitize or disinfect: Clean visible dirt first. Sanitize toys and feeding items; disinfect diaper areas and body-fluid spills. Follow the CDC cleaning steps at How To Clean and Disinfect ECE Settings.
3. 🧸 Mouthed toys: Use a labeled bin for toys put in mouths. Wash, rinse, and sanitize these daily.
4. 🚼 Diapering routine: Prepare supplies first, clean the child front-to-back, throw away trash in a hands-free can, disinfect the surface, then wash hands. See the ChildCareEd diapering guidance Infection Control Practices.
5. 💨 Air and space: When possible, use outdoor time and open windows. The CDC suggests improving ventilation as another layer of protection (CDC guidance).

Daily checklist idea (post it at the door):

1. Soap and paper towels checked
2. Toys to wash labeled
3. Cleaning supplies stored out of children's reach

How should we write and use an illness policy and daily health checks?

A short, kind illness policy helps staff and families make quick choices on busy mornings. ChildCareEd has templates and examples to help you build one: What should an illness policy include?. The CDC also gives return-to-care advice in When Students or Staff are Sick.

1. 📝 What to include (short list):
   1. One-sentence rule for when to stay home.
   2. Symptoms that mean exclusion (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, uncontrolled cough, new rash, eye drainage).
   3. Clear return rules (e.g., fever-free 24 hours without medicine).
   4. Medication steps and forms.
2. 👀 Daily health check (quick morning screen):
   1. Behavior—can the child play and learn?
   2. Breathing—any severe cough or trouble breathing?
   3. Skin—new rash or drainage?
3. 📋 Recordkeeping: write date, symptoms, action taken, and parent notified. Keep forms short and easy to find.

Use simple language, translate handouts if families need it, and post the one-page family handout at drop-off. Remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency. For disease-specific exclusion rules see local health guidance or examples like the Minnesota exclusion guidelines.

What should we do during outbreaks and how do we avoid common mistakes?

Outbreaks can feel stressful. Use these short numbered steps and keep calm. Work with your local health department and follow CDC cleaning rules. ChildCareEd offers helpful outbreak steps: Outbreak steps. The CDC's cleaning guide is here: How To Clean and Disinfect ECE Settings.

1. 📞 Notify public health early. They will tell you if this is an outbreak and what to do next.
2. 🧯 Isolate and care: Move the sick child to a supervised area away from others. Staff can use PPE if advised. The CDC and Project Firstline give PPE and care guidance (Project Firstline).
3. 📣 Tell families one clear message: what happened, what you did, and what to watch for. Use templates for speed.
4. 🔁 Increase cleaning and follow the clean-then-disinfect rule. Never mix bleach and ammonia. See safe bleach use at Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach.

Common mistakes and quick fixes:

1. 🚫 Mistake: Disinfecting before cleaning. Fix: Clean first, then disinfect.
2. 🚫 Mistake: Leaving chemicals where children reach them. Fix: Lock and label supplies.
3. 🚫 Mistake: Asking for doctor notes for every cold. Fix: Use clear return rules so families know when notes are needed.

For green cleaning ideas and safer products, see EPA resources on Green Cleaning. For trainings and printable tools, visit ChildCareEd's health and safety resources: Health and Safety Training Resources.

Conclusion

Stopping germs in child care is about steady routines, clear rules, and teamwork. Start tomorrow by posting a 3-step handwashing poster, making a mouthed-toy bin, and sharing a one-page illness handout at drop-off. Use the CDC and ChildCareEd links above for forms and training. Keep your tone kind when talking with families—support works better than blame.

Need a quick checklist to take action?

1. 🧼 Put up a #handwashing poster and practice the 20-second song.
2. 🧸 Start a "Mouthed Toy" bin and schedule daily washing (#cleaning).
3. 📋 Update and post your one-page illness #policy.
4. 👩‍🏫 Schedule a short staff refresh on diapering, isolation, and documentation. Consider ChildCareEd courses (#vaccination info included).
5. 💉 Remind families and staff about keeping routine immunizations up to date for your #children.

Thank you for the care you give every day. Small, steady steps keep children safer and classrooms open.

In child care, children spend lots of time close together. When one child gets sick, germs can move quickly. Stopping germs helps children learn, keeps staff working, and builds trust with families. Good infection control means fewer absences, fewer upset parents, and a safer place for everyone. For more background and tools, see Infection Control Practices for Child Care Settings and the CDC overview on Preventing Infectious Diseases.Small habits done every day make a big difference. Use numbered routines that staff and families can follow. Many of these steps are recommended by the CDC and ChildCareEd: see CDC Protecting Against Infections and ChildCareEd prevention tips.