Keeping Our Kids Healthy Tips for Preventing Illness at Daycare

With flu season in full swing, preventing the spread of germs to others at daycare is an important part of keeping your own family healthy and happy. Here are some tips for preventing the spread of illness at daycare: Know When to Stay Home The number one way to prevent the spread of illness at daycare is to know when your child is contagious and keep them at home while they are sick. While you’ll still be busy or need to work, consider calling in a family member, friend or babysitter to watch your child for the day. Sending them into daycare will only put other children and the staff at risk, continuing the illness. Children should especially stay home when they have:

• Diarrhea, or stools that contain blood or mucus
• Vomiting
• Fever

Wash Hands Often

Washing your hands and your children’s hands often and correctly is a great way to prevent bringing germs into your body but also can help avoid spreading illness. In order to keep the daycare as germ-free as possible please help your child wash his/her hands upon entering the classroom. While hand sanitizer does help, it does not replace hand washing and isn’t as effective against dirt or grease. The CDC describes how you should wash your hands:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.

Even with regular hand washing, it is best to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth in order to avoid spreading germs.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

Covering coughs and sneezes will help to keep germs under control in the daycare as well as at home. Let your children know to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue, throw it away and wash their hands immediately after. If a tissue is not available, teach your child to cough or sneeze into their elbow!

Disinfect at Home

At Little Thinkers, we will disinfect multiple times each day in order to keep the areas your children play, learn and eat in as clean and safe as possible. It is important to remember to do the same at home. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects regularly to have a healthy home!

Together we can prevent the spread of illness and keep our kids healthy!