With flu season still in full swing, preventing the spread of germs to others at school or daycare is an important part of keeping your own family healthy and happy. Talking with your children about the signs of being sick and how to prevent getting sick can help you keep your family well.
Here are some tips for preventing the spread of illness at daycare:
Know When to Stay Home
The number one way to prevent the spread of illness at your Orlando daycare is to know when your child is contagious and keep them at home while they are sick. While you’ll still be busy or need to work, consider calling in a family member, friend or babysitter to watch your child for the day. Sending them into daycare will only put other children and the staff at risk, continuing the illness.
Children should especially stay home when they have:
- Diarrhea, or stools that contain blood or mucus
- Vomiting
- Fever
Wash Hands Often
Washing your and your children’s hands often and correctly is a great way to prevent bringing germs into your body but also can help avoid spreading illness. In order to keep the daycare as germ-free as possible hand washing is necessary when any visitors are arriving. While hand sanitizer does help, it does not replace hand washing and isn’t as effective against dirt or grease.
The CDC describes how you should wash your hands:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
Even with regular hand washing, it is best to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth in order to avoid spreading germs.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes
This comes back to talking with your children about proper ways to prevent illness. Covering coughs and sneezes will help to keep germs under control in the daycare as well as at home. Let your children know to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue, throw it away and wash their hands immediately after.
Disinfect at Home
While at your Orlando daycare, we will disinfect and keep the areas your children play, learn and eat in as clean and safe as possible. It is important to remember to do the same at home. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects regularly to have a healthy home!
No Sharing Meals
Another tip for your home is that if anyone is sick, be sure no one shares utensils, cups or dishes. Have one healthy person clear the table instead of passing dishes around.
Healthy kids are happy kids! At Kids & Company we strive to keep our three Orlando childcare locations illness-free. By following these tips you can help keep your family healthy.
Kids & Company offers so much more than the typical Orlando daycare. Free hot meals,
free afternoon transportation, after school care until 7:00 pm, and we even have the option for Saturday and night care at our Curry Ford location. With three locations around Orlando, there is a convenient location for you and your child. If you have any questions about our programs, including infant care, childcare,
VPK, or
after school programs give us a call at (407) 227-1015.