5 Health Tips for Childcare Centers During Cold and Flu Season
By Lauren Keep
Implement these 5 essential hygiene practices to protect children in daycares during cold and flu season to promote a healthier environment.
As cold and flu season rolls in, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about germs and strive to maintain a clean environment for children in your childcare center. With their developing immune systems young children are particularly susceptible to infections. In a daycare setting, where kids spend much of their day in close proximity to one another, the potential for germs to spread is heightened.
Luckily, through precautionary measures, your daycare center can be prepared for the season of sickness. Here are 5 practical tips to maintain a clean and hygienic environment during cold and flu season:
1. Encourage Healthy Habits
Educate and remind children how to wash their hands properly, ensuring they use soap and wash for at least 20 seconds (about how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”!). Ensure hand washing sinks are stocked with soap and paper towels, and that they are easily accessible to children (with step stools if needed!).
Reinforce the practice of covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows (not hands), and provide plenty of accessible tissue and sanitizer stations. Create engaging activities that educate kids about germs and how they spread, using stories or crafts.
2. Create and Enforce a Sick Policy
Communicate clearly with staff and parents about your childcare center’s sick policy. Identify common illness symptoms that require children to stay home, such as fever or persistent cough, and establish clear guidelines for when children can return (e.g. symptom-free for 24 hours). Ensure parents and staff understand the guidelines.
3. Regular Cleaning and Disinfecting
Keep cleaning simple by frequently disinfecting surfaces that children touch often, such as doorknobs, light switches, tabletops, and toys. Use EPA-approved disinfectants effective against viruses and bacteria, which are also safe for children.
Having equipment and toys made from easy-to-sanitize materials also helps with easy cleaning and disinfection. Consider purchasing toys made of polyethylene like ride-ons or grid blocks.
4. Optimize Ventilation
Before the weather turns too chilly, your daycare can optimize ventilation by prioritizing fresh air. This can be done by taking time to take the kids out for outdoor activities or through opening windows and doors whenever possible, especially during drop-off and pick-up times.
5. Encourage Vaccinations
Encourage vaccinations by providing parents with educational materials about the importance of vaccines in protecting children from illness, including flu shots and other recommended vaccinations, and provide a list of clinics nearby and clear deadlines for vaccines. Fostering open communication and providing resources, you can help parents make informed decisions about vaccinating their children, ultimately promoting a healthier daycare community.
Navigating cold and flu season in daycares requires a proactive approach to keep children healthy and safe. We hope these tips can help your childcare center foster an environment that is healthy, clean, and less susceptible to the spread of germs.
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Read more: How to Create a Cozy Naptime Space
or 5 Benefits of Ride-On Toys in Childcare Centers