Nowadays, with both parents working, finding someone to take care of a young child is a big challenge. So, for many, the best solution is to send the child to a daycare center, that is, a daycare. However, the biggest question that comes to our mind is, 'Will my child always get sick when he goes there?' This is a reasonable fear. So today, let's talk about what we need to consider when sending a child to a daycare center for their health and safety.
Is it really more likely to get sick when going to day care?
Simply put, yes. When a young child starts going to daycare, especially if they are under two years old, they may be more likely to get respiratory infections like colds and coughs. This is because young children's immune systems, or the ability to fight off illnesses, are not yet fully developed. Since they are in daycare with many other children, there is a greater chance of them spreading the disease to others.
But don't panic after hearing this. Doctors say that due to some infections that occur in childhood, the child's immune system becomes stronger and may be protected from serious diseases in the future. But research is still being done on this. So, rather than worrying about it, the best thing to do is to take the necessary steps to protect our child from dangerous diseases as much as possible. For this, we need to have a good understanding of the policies and procedures of the day care we send our child to.
What are the health policies that should be in place in a day care?
Before you choose a daycare for your child, research their health policies carefully. These are the most important things.
| Policy | What you should be careful about |
|---|---|
| Immunization | Any good daycare should ask for your child's immunization records. You also have the right to ask if the staff and other children working there are up to date with all the necessary vaccinations. If the daycare is run in a home, it is important to ask about the vaccinations of other people in the home. |
| Sick Child Exclusion | They should have a clear, written policy about not accepting sick children into daycare. A child with diarrhea (stomach flu), difficulty breathing, or a fever should be kept away from other children. It's a good idea to have a place that recommends keeping a child with a fever at home. |
| Policy Enforcement | It's not enough to just have the policy in the book, but also see if they are being implemented properly. Sometimes, these rules can be implemented a little more loosely in home daycares than in larger institutions. For example, they may accept a child who is slightly sick when they drop him off in the morning. So, talk to the daycare manager about this and make sure to what extent they follow these rules. |
Cleanliness is the most important thing!
The best and simplest way to protect a child from illness is cleanliness. Pay special attention to these things when you go to daycare.
- Handwashing facilities: The more sinks there are for washing hands, the better. A good idea is to have one sink near the diaper table, a separate sink for children to wash their hands, and another sink in the kitchen for washing dishes.
- Proper hand washing: It's a good idea to have your child wash their hands as soon as they leave the daycare. This will greatly reduce the risk of germs from outside getting inside. Also, make sure they wash their hands after playing, before eating, and after using the bathroom.
Remember, good hygiene is one of the biggest investments in a child's health.
Be sure to think about the child's safety as well.
Another important thing, as well as health, is the child's safety. Be careful about these things as well.
Background Checks
Make sure that background checks are conducted on all employees working at the daycare, and if it is a home-based setting, on everyone in the home. This is essential for the safety of the child.
Secure Pick-up System
If you are unable to take your child with you on a day when you are not able to, ask about the security measures in place. For example, if you have been notified in advance, given a copy of the person's ID, and have the child only be handed over to that person, this is very important.
Safe Sleep for Infants
If you are sending an infant to daycare, this is the most important thing you need to know. Always make sure that babies are put to sleep on their backs . This can significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Putting a baby to sleep on their stomach or side is very dangerous.
Finally, above all, trust your gut feeling. If you feel any discomfort or doubt when going to a daycare, talk to them openly about it. But if you still don't feel right, it's best to find another place that is more suitable for your child. Because what a mother or father feels about their child is often right.
Take-Home Message
- Before sending a child to a daycare, ask for written information about their vaccination policies and policies on not accepting sick children.
- Carefully check the cleanliness of the place, especially the handwashing facilities.
- Make sure the staff has been background checked and that there is a safe method for taking the child.
- If your baby is an infant, make sure they are always placed on their back to sleep. This reduces the risk of SIDS.
- If you have any doubts or concerns about something, don't ignore it. Talk to your guardians or consider another option.
- If you have any concerns about your child's health, talk to your doctor immediately.
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