Keeping Your Child Healthy at Day Care

The time of year has come again, cold and flu season. This all too familiar time of year settles in and discriminates against no one. Especially for children in child care, cold’s go around like a non-stop merry-go-round. Though having an ill child is never fun, studies have shown that kids who tend to get sick more frequently in daycare are less likely to catch illnesses once they start school. Regardless, there are multiple ways to help your child fight whatever is going around the daycare center, as well as protect them year round. Yellow Brick Road is dedicated to helping you child learn and grow into all their called to be, including their health. Let’s take a look at some practices you can implement to help your child fight those colds that take over their immune system.

Abide by the Sick Policy

First off, let’s address the whole issue of a child being sick the morning they are being taken to daycare. If he is running a fever, sneezing or coughing incessantly, or has been the past couple days with only minute improvement, it’s wisest to keep him home. Additionally, many illnesses are contagious before they show signs of fever or coughing. Usually daycare’s will have a policy on the symptoms to identify, and if present, keep your child home. To learn more about their policy, simply contact the daycare.

Apple a Day is the Way

Implementing a healthy diet and sleep schedule is key in ensuring your child’s health is in optimal condition. Keeping their plate full of vegetables, fruits, and plenty of iron will give their immune system the energy and strength to fight off bad bacteria and illnesses. Equally as important, ensuring your child has proper and a somewhat consistent sleep schedule will benefit them greatly.

Be Aware of Cross-Contamination

For infants and toddlers, putting objects in their mouth is a normal, and frequent, occurrence. Especially in daycare, the reality of your little one putting an object in his mouth after another child has done the very same thing, is completely inevitable. However, you can check with the child care facility as far as their sanitation practices go. Asking them how often they wipe down surfaces with disinfectant, what cleaning practices are set in place, and where they prepare bottles are helpful indications of what your child may be exposed to.

Clean Hands are Happy Hands

Insisting your little one wash their hands is a simple and effective way to limit the spread of germs. According to the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Early Education and Child Care, washing your hands and maintaining healthy hand hygiene is the most effective way of limiting the spreading of illnesses.

The staff at the child care facility should also be washing their hands frequently as well. If you’re curious, stay a little while when you drop your child off and observe the staff. With diaper changes, feeding, or exposure to the other children’s bodily fluids, they should wash their hands before picking up another child.

Practicing these health habits will, in fact, benefit both your child and you the fight against the seasonal colds.
At Yellow Brick Road, we strive to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for each child. Our staff is compassionate and eager to walk with your child and develop their own personality. Maintaining a clean environment is not easy with multiple children, but it is necessary. At Yellow Brick Road, you can trust your child is in good hands. To join our Minnetonka location, enroll today! We can’t wait to meet you.