Germs And Daycare

Author: Jillian Smith

Germs are everywhere. And day care germs abound. They are too
small to see but we know they are there. Children can spread
germs without ever getting sick themselves. They can catch
colds, ear infections, diarrhea and worse. More severe illnesses
like chicken pox, impetigo and hepatitis are also spread by
germs. Toys are a vehicle for day care germs, so are unwashed
hands of a caregiver after diaper change or blowing a child's
runny nose. Runny noses don't always mean a child is sick, but
the child can also be carrying something right under your nose
so to speak, and you won't know it for several days until your
symptoms start showing. So how can you cut back on day care
germs and minimize your child's sick days Every child gets sick
eventually with the average cold, but chances of spreading it to
the other day care children and the sick child's family can be
greatly reduced by following a few simple rules.

Always keep up to date with your child's immunizations. Schools
will not enroll children in kindergarten without the
immunization records filled out by the family physician. The
same requirements must be met for daycare enrollment as well.
Keep copies of your child's immunization records and have them
ready to give to the daycare provider. You can request
information on the other children enrolled in the daycare
facility as well. All children enrolled in any daycare facility
your child is going to should be immunized.

You should always have a backup plan for days when your child is
sick and cannot attend daycare. Even if you suspect your child
is catching something, he should be kept at home. The other
daycare mothers will appreciate your compliance with this and
they should follow suit. But there are times when some parents
ignore the customary considerations surrounding children
attending public environments and send their children off to
daycare sick anyway.

At home, frequent hand washing can greatly reduce the chances of
passing the illness on the rest of the family. As a general
rule, washing your hands after coming in contact with your child
is a good idea. One never knows if they are contagious with
something and keeping your hands free of daycare germs, as well
as any surfaces that the child may come in contact with, is good
prevention. Door handles, eating utensils, toys, and plastic
items such as beginner baby books should all be kept sanitized.

Toddlers should be taught right from the start to cover their
mouth when they cough and proper toileting and cleanliness is a
must. Stepstools in front of bathroom sinks enable children to
wash their hands like big kids and colorful child-oriented soap
dispensers add to the fun.

Children build immunities by being sick and then getting well.
Daycare germs can speed up the process that would otherwise take
place in the first years of school, even babies start building
immunities by contact with other children. So a child who has
never been in daycare and hasn't been sick very much will be
thrown in a preschool that abounds with germs and his immunities
begin to build but at the expense of lost school days. So
whether parents like it or not, daycare germs do have their
place in a growing child's life.

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