In Sickness & Health: Shigellosis Infections in Childcare

What is Shigellosis? Shigellosis is an intestinal bacterial infection which causes mild to severe diarrhea.

How is it spread? Shigella is usually spread in childcare by the fecal-oral route.

What are symptoms of Shigellosis? Stomach cramps; high fever; loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting, and convulsions; painful bowel movements; diarrhea with blood or mucus.

How can it be prevented? The best way to prevent its spread is careful and proper hand washing with soap and running water

Safety: Noise and Lighting

Why is noise a problem? Research has linked chronic noise to hearing loss; problems with speech, reading and attention skills; and elevated blood pressure levels in children. Chronic noise can also affect children's ability to stay on task.

List two ways to create a quieter environment. Soften hard surfaces with carpets, rugs and textile wall hangings. Remove noisy equipment such as computers or printers, to a different room.

How can lighting affect children? Lighting that is too intense or bright can be over stimulating, while murky, dim lighting can contribute to depression and lethargy

What are some considerations in setting lighting? Safety and security (exit lights); appropriate for task (computers or reading); include natural light.

Nutrition Action: Home-Packed Meals

If food from home is provided, what should be included in policy and parent information? Reason for providing foods from home; need to meet nutritional requirements; labeling food containers with child's name, date, type of food, and storage requirements; parent signature; etc.

What nutritional information do parents need? The best guidelines are the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These standards address the different types of foods needed, the minimum amounts for specified ages, and appropriate portion sizes for all children as part of their child care.

What are interesting breads to pack? Tortillas, pita pockets, mini-bagels, bread sticks, rice cakes, crackers, hot dog buns

What are interesting fruits to pack? Fresh kiwi, star fruit, pineapple spears, mangoes, papayas, miniature bananas. Mix colors such as blueberries with strawberries, or cantaloupe with honeydew melon.

Medicine Chest: Liability in the Childcare Setting

Should childcare programs have liability insurance? Yes.

What does liability insurance cover? It pays medical expenses and damages if someone is injured in your setting.

Do state inspections address all areas of concern? No, directors still need to create their own inspection checklist.

Health & You: Exercise That Fits Your Life

What is Functional Fitness? Functional fitness, or functional exercise, is a routine that it gets your body in shape while also preparing you for real-world situations.

What is the emphasis of functional fitness? Functional fitness emphasizes moving the body through three planes of motion: front and back, side to side, and rotation. It also emphasizes “core” strength (strength in the center of your body), which helps maintain balance, stability and flexibility.

What is an example of a functional exercise for child caregivers? A functional exercise routine may include squats. This exercise will help build core strength and leg muscles, making repeated standing up and sitting down easier, and may help decrease the likelihood of an injury when engaged in heavy lifting (including picking up children).