Healthy Childcare August-September 2000
Volume 3, Issue 5
Sickness and Health - Information on Hepatitis:
What two types of hepatitis pose the greatest risk in childcare? Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
Fever, fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms.
How is hepatitis spread? Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person through fecal matter. This means something contaminated with the virus reaches the mouth of another person. Hepatitis B virus is usually spread through contact with blood or body fluids.
Is hepatitis preventable? Vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis types A and B. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for children in communities with high rates of the disease. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all children, beginning at birth or at age months.
Passenger Safety:
Why should children ride in car seats? Motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for children, and car seats can save lives.
When can an infant be moved to a forward-facing position? When they reach at least 20 pounds and 12 months of age.
When can a child use a seat belt? A child needs to be about 80 pounds and about 4' 5" tall to properly fit in an adult lap and shoulder belt.
What is the best car seat to use? The best car seat is one that fits the child, the vehicle, and the family budget. Not all car seats work in all vehicles.
Nutrition - Kids and Caffeine:
How does caffeine affect children? Even low doses of caffeine can cause decreased appetite, increased urination, and difficulty sleeping.
How much caffeine is too much? Caffeine affects people in different ways, and since the child's body is so small, just a little caffeine can affect the child's body and behavior. If a child does consume caffeine, it should be limited to 100 mg or less per day (the amount in a 12-ounce soft drink would be more than this.)
Where do children get caffeine? It is often found in soft drinks, tea, some fruit-flavored beverages, chocolate drinks and foods, and some medications.
What does "decaffeinated" mean? Decaffeinated means that some of the caffeine normally found in the food or beverage has been removed. Caffeine-Free means there is no caffeine in the food or beverage.
Medicine Chest - Who's challenged? Children with Special Needs or CareGivers:
Are childcare providers required to accept children with special needs? The ADA requires all licensed programs to accept children regardless of their disability, if it is an appropriate placement for the child.
What changes will I need to make? ADA states that programs must make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures, unless those modifications would fundamentally alter the services you normally provide.
Where can I get information or assistance in providing care? The Association for Retarded Citizens is a national organization. Also check in your community for family support groups, therapists or specialists, mental retardation and disability-related agencies, voluntary organizations, and other childcare programs which have enrolled children with disabilities.
Staff Health - Home exercise equipment:
What kind of machine will hep build muscular strength? Weight machines
Which machines increase cardiorespiratory endurance? Treadmills, bikes, stair climbers, ski machines, etc.
What are issues to consider when purchasing equipment?
Safety for yourself and for children who may have access to the
equipment; comfort in using it; size; storage; cost; and how to
get it home from the store
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