If you run a childcare facility, flu season can be long and dreadful. One runny nose can result in a flu outbreak, which can spell disaster for a childcare facility. Even if you insist on a "stay home" rule for sick children, germs can still find their way into the facility, especially since it's not always possible to tell that a child is sick until they're fully immersed in symptoms. Unfortunately, once a child is symptomatic, the entire facility has already been exposed to the illness. The best way to stop the spread of sickness is to take a proactive approach to childcare. Here are four simple rules you can enforce to help stop the spread of illness in your childcare facility.
Ensure Separate Hand Washing Stations
When it comes to stopping the spread of illnesses, one of the simplest things you can do is ensure separate hand washing stations. Ensuring one sink for hand washing and one sink for food preparation will help control the spread of germs that could be making everyone sick. To maximum benefit, confine hand washing to the restroom area, and washing for food preparation purposes to the kitchen area. It's also a good idea to keep a fresh bottle of hand sanitizer next to every sink. Using hand sanitizer after each hand washing will help get rid of the germs that might have survived the washing.
Ensure an Adequate Supply of Paper Towels
If your childcare facility is still using cloth towels, they could be harboring a multitude of illness-causing germs. To stop the spread of germs, switch to paper towels, and keep an adequate supply on hand at all times. You can use paper towels for virtually everything you'd use a cloth towel for, including hand drying, and counter wiping.
Ensure That Each Person Receives Flu Shots
When you run a childcare facility, illness prevention has to be an all-out effort. The best way to prevent illnesses in your facility is to ensure that each person receives their flu shots each year. Flu shots are the first line of defense in keeping your staff, and the children you care for, healthy.
Ensure That All Toys are Sanitized
If you have young children in your facility who tend to put toys in their mouths, be sure the toys are sanitized at the end of each day. During flu season, it's a good idea to wipe the toys down with sanitizing cloths several times a day, especially the toys that have been chewed on.
For more information, contact establishments like Woodcrest Preschool.
I remember staying at home when I was a young child until I entered kindergarten. However, when I had my first child as a working mother, I realized that it was a good idea to transfer my child from a standard daycare facility to a preschool after I learned how they differ. Preschools typically have teachers trained in early childhood education, while many daycare centers do not. However, I became overwhelmed with all of my local preschool options and had to learn about all of the various types of preschool education offered today before I made my final decision. I was very happy with my choice, because my little one is now thriving in her new preschool. I am now researching elementary school options. I am eager to share what I have learned, and am still learning, about child education with anyone who needs the advice on my new blog!