![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/blog.carelulu.com\/resources\/parents\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Germs-In-Daycare-Questions-To-Ask-Your-Child-Care-Provider.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\nHere is a list of questions to ask your child care provider. This will help you know if they have the proper health and safety procedures in place:<\/p>\n
What is your child care sick policy?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nAccording to American Academy of Pediatrics, your child should stay out of daycare if he or she has a fever above 101\u00b0F. Or if they have diarrhea, or vomiting two or more times in a 24 hour period.<\/p>\n
Many daycare centers<\/a> use that recommendation as their standard sick policy. Often, centers require the child to be picked up within an hour after exhibiting those symptoms. Although some facilities are able to provide care for sick kids in a separate area known as a \u201cget-well room,\u201d those child care providers are extremely rare.<\/p>\nWhether children need to be symptom free for a full 24 hours before returning to daycare, however, really depends on your child care provider. Home-based daycares<\/a> may be more flexible, while child care centers with lots of kids typically have strict policies. Be sure you understand and agree with your daycare\u2019s sick policy.<\/p>\nTip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not able to stay home with your kids, have a backup plan for someone who could. You might need that help for a while because the flu can last from a few days to more than a week.<\/em>
<\/em><\/p>\nHow often are the daycare toys and surfaces cleaned, and with what cleaner?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nIt\u2019s very important that toys are sanitized before they\u2019re given to other children. Especially toys that infants and toddlers put in their mouths. Using a dishwasher or hot cycle in a washing machine will kill most germs in daycare clothes or toys.<\/p>\n
Your child care provider should also clean surfaces considered most likely to be contaminated. They’re those that children have regular contact with (crib rails and diaper-changing areas, for instance). These surfaces should be sanitized throughout the day using a mild bleach solution, which is nontoxic and kills most infectious agents.<\/p>\n
How often do teachers and children wash hands?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nGerms are also spread by hand contact. Especially when it comes to kids and babies who might drool \ud83d\ude42 So, frequent and thorough hand-washing is important. Ask if children and staff wash their hands throughout the day.<\/p>\n
They should wash their hands upon arrival to the child care center, after using the restroom, before and after handling food, feeding a child, or eating. The best child care providers adopt the policies that doctors use: washing their hands in between touching every child.<\/p>\n
Tip:<\/em><\/strong> Child care staff is less likely to wash their hands if they have to leave the room. Therefore, check if your child care center has a sink in every room. If not, look for hand sanitizer bottles. Also, using paper towels to dry hands is <\/em>more hygienic than electric hand dryers or cloth towels.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat steps does your daycare take to fight germs?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nIt\u2019s important to know what procedures the daycare has in place. Especially if your child is going to a larger daycare center or preschool. Ask if caregivers and teachers are able to go home when they\u2019re feeling sick. Does the center have a plan in place with a substitute caregiver who can fill in?<\/p>\n
Are there any plans in place to lower the chances that your child will get sick? How does the facility limit exposure of students to sick children? Some child care providers post notes at the door informing parents that there has been a confirmed case of X at the center.<\/p>\n
As a parent, you need to take precautions that you feel are necessary to protect your child from getting sick.<\/p>\n
Tip:<\/strong> Although it isn\u2019t required, ask if child care providers if they are vaccinated against the flu. If you have an infant, it’s even more important. Flu vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months and older. For babies that cannot be vaccinated, it is recommended that people who live with or care for them get a flu shot. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nAre you a licensed child care facility?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nMake sure the child care provider you are considering is licensed. A licensed provider would have received training on health, safety, and sanitation. Licensed facilities also undergo regular inspections to check that proper procedures are in place.l<\/p>\n
Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not sure how to find a licensed provider, check out CareLuLu.com<\/a> which is completely free for parents to use, and helps you find \u00a0a daycare or preschool that fits your needs and budget. All the providers listed that are licensed. <\/em><\/p>\nGetting sick is an inevitable part of growing up and helps strengthen the immune system, so keep in mind that whether your child is in a daycare or not, they will get sick at some point.<\/p>\n
So, if daycare or preschool is what you want or need, don\u2019t let the flu season stop you from enrolling your child!<\/p>\n
The good news is that kids in daycare will be less sick than their peers who were not in daycare once they enter school! Presumably because they\u2019ve built up immunity to most common cold viruses.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCareLuLu<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is the easiest way for parents to find great child care and preschool programs. On CareLuLu, parents can find detailed information on over 200,000 licensed daycares (hours, cost, photos,\u00a0verified<\/em>\u00a0reviews) and contact providers instantly. Best of all, it\u2019s free! Founded in 2013, CareLuLu\u2019s mission is to improve access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care and early education.<\/p>\nCreated\u00a0by<\/em>\u00a0parents\u00a0for<\/em>\u00a0parents.\u00a0Find child care here:\u00a0www.CareLuLu.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Whether children need to be symptom free for a full 24 hours before returning to daycare, however, really depends on your child care provider. Home-based daycares<\/a> may be more flexible, while child care centers with lots of kids typically have strict policies. Be sure you understand and agree with your daycare\u2019s sick policy.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not able to stay home with your kids, have a backup plan for someone who could. You might need that help for a while because the flu can last from a few days to more than a week.<\/em> It\u2019s very important that toys are sanitized before they\u2019re given to other children. Especially toys that infants and toddlers put in their mouths. Using a dishwasher or hot cycle in a washing machine will kill most germs in daycare clothes or toys.<\/p>\n Your child care provider should also clean surfaces considered most likely to be contaminated. They’re those that children have regular contact with (crib rails and diaper-changing areas, for instance). These surfaces should be sanitized throughout the day using a mild bleach solution, which is nontoxic and kills most infectious agents.<\/p>\n Germs are also spread by hand contact. Especially when it comes to kids and babies who might drool \ud83d\ude42 So, frequent and thorough hand-washing is important. Ask if children and staff wash their hands throughout the day.<\/p>\n They should wash their hands upon arrival to the child care center, after using the restroom, before and after handling food, feeding a child, or eating. The best child care providers adopt the policies that doctors use: washing their hands in between touching every child.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/em><\/strong> Child care staff is less likely to wash their hands if they have to leave the room. Therefore, check if your child care center has a sink in every room. If not, look for hand sanitizer bottles. Also, using paper towels to dry hands is <\/em>more hygienic than electric hand dryers or cloth towels.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to know what procedures the daycare has in place. Especially if your child is going to a larger daycare center or preschool. Ask if caregivers and teachers are able to go home when they\u2019re feeling sick. Does the center have a plan in place with a substitute caregiver who can fill in?<\/p>\n Are there any plans in place to lower the chances that your child will get sick? How does the facility limit exposure of students to sick children? Some child care providers post notes at the door informing parents that there has been a confirmed case of X at the center.<\/p>\n As a parent, you need to take precautions that you feel are necessary to protect your child from getting sick.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Although it isn\u2019t required, ask if child care providers if they are vaccinated against the flu. If you have an infant, it’s even more important. Flu vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months and older. For babies that cannot be vaccinated, it is recommended that people who live with or care for them get a flu shot. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Make sure the child care provider you are considering is licensed. A licensed provider would have received training on health, safety, and sanitation. Licensed facilities also undergo regular inspections to check that proper procedures are in place.l<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not sure how to find a licensed provider, check out CareLuLu.com<\/a> which is completely free for parents to use, and helps you find \u00a0a daycare or preschool that fits your needs and budget. All the providers listed that are licensed. <\/em><\/p>\n Getting sick is an inevitable part of growing up and helps strengthen the immune system, so keep in mind that whether your child is in a daycare or not, they will get sick at some point.<\/p>\n So, if daycare or preschool is what you want or need, don\u2019t let the flu season stop you from enrolling your child!<\/p>\n The good news is that kids in daycare will be less sick than their peers who were not in daycare once they enter school! Presumably because they\u2019ve built up immunity to most common cold viruses.<\/strong><\/p>\n CareLuLu<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is the easiest way for parents to find great child care and preschool programs. On CareLuLu, parents can find detailed information on over 200,000 licensed daycares (hours, cost, photos,\u00a0verified<\/em>\u00a0reviews) and contact providers instantly. Best of all, it\u2019s free! Founded in 2013, CareLuLu\u2019s mission is to improve access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care and early education.<\/p>\n Created\u00a0by<\/em>\u00a0parents\u00a0for<\/em>\u00a0parents.\u00a0Find child care here:\u00a0www.CareLuLu.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/em><\/p>\nHow often are the daycare toys and surfaces cleaned, and with what cleaner?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nHow often do teachers and children wash hands?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nWhat steps does your daycare take to fight germs?
<\/strong><\/h5>\nAre you a licensed child care facility?
<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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