Winter is coming, which means the start of the flu season. For daycare providers, the chilly weather means preparing measures to ensure germs do not spread among the children and staff quickly.
Although eliminating the spread of the flu virus is next to impossible, there are several steps a childcare center can take to ensure there are minimal chances of sick children in their classrooms.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways to prevent influenza in daycares.
Cover Their Mouth and Noses When Sneezing
Daycare staff needs to teach children how to properly cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. The tissue should be disposed of prosperity after use, and children need to wash their hands thoroughly.
Frequent Hand Washing
Toddlers are liable to put their little hands and fingers in their mouth, which can increase the risk of contracting illnesses. Daycare providers need to reinforce proper handwashing training and ensure children in their care exercise this habit frequently.
Teach children a 20-second handwashing song that they can sing while washing their hands. Caregivers should show the proper technique to wash their hands, including properly lathering the palm, washing carefully between the fingers and under the nails, and gently scrubbing the back of the hand with warm water and soap.
Disinfect Toys
It is important that daycare staff disinfect all contact surfaces, tools, and toys that they use to teach children. This is more important than ever during the flu season. Choose safe, organic, and environmentally-friendly products to sanitize the space, and pay special attention to doorknobs, desks, bathrooms, and toys.
Provide Helpful Resources to Parents
A good policy is to provide parents with tips and advice on how to keep colds and other seasonal illnesses at bay or at least prevent other children from bringing sickness to the daycare. Create a newsletter or a pamphlet that provides access to beneficial resources about how to prevent flu at home.
Children Should Stay At Home Is Sick
Childcare staff needs to keep an eye on children to see any signs of sickness or flu. If a child has a runny nose, a sneezing bout, a fever, headaches, body aches, sore throat, or other common symptoms of flu, you need to contact their parents immediately.
Parents who already know their child is sick should not send them to school.
Practice Self Care
It is important that daycare providers also take care of themselves during the flu season. You should take lots of rest to boost your immune system, drink plenty of water, and keep your hands clean. Do not touch your nose, eyes, and mouth to avoid catching a cold.
Bottom Line
The fact is that young children who have just entered daycare may be the most vulnerable to the flu virus. This may be because they have not been exposed to certain germs before that, or they may be too young to get all the recommended vaccines.
Regardless, it is important that daycare providers set strict rules and policies to ensure children do not get ill on their premises.
If you want to find out more helpful advice regarding the health and well-being of your children, visit Standout Daycare today. We offer a list of blogs and resources that can help parents understand the benefits we offer children and whether we are the right choice of carers for their little ones.
Stay safe! Stay healthy!
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