Questions and Answers!
Your Training Resource

Healthy Childcare 4-6
October - November 2001

Sickness and Health - Diapering FAQs:

Which are better: cloth or disposable diapers? Disposable "paper" diapers and disposable training pants are much easier to use while still maintaining a safe and clean environment.

What should be done with dirty diapers? Gather the disposable diaper with the absorbent side inward, and use the tapes to securely close it before placing in the used-diaper pail. Cloth diapers and soiled clothing should be put into a sealed plastic bag or container with a tightly fitting lid to be sent home with the child without rinsing.

Is it okay to clean the child's hands with a wipe? Wipes do not replace hand washing. Carry the child to a sink and wash the hands with soap and warm running water for at least 10 seconds.

Safety - Internet Monitoring Services:

What is the advantage to having a website? Parents can visit frequently to view their children; it can serve as instantaneous method of notifying parents of closings or emergency situations that may arise because of weather or other unforeseen occurrences; email can be sent to an entire group of parents simultaneously.

How can the Internet be used in case of illness or injury? If a child has a minor injury, his parent can be immediately contacted and comfortably reassured by seeing him waving at the camera saying he is okay. In a more severe circumstance, immediate evaluation of an accident and the scene may offer timely information toward an effective treatment

How can live Internet monitoring benefit my program? It can be used to train staff, to monitor and provide security after hours, and to observe staff from off-site locations.

Nutrition - Multi-Cultural Foods in Childcare:

What cultural foods should be introduced first? First, honor the food cultures that are represented by the children in your program. Then, introduce foods from other cultures in your community.

How can I meet USDA requirements and provide multi-cultural foods? Most dishes can count as meal components as long as they meet standards of quality and quantity. Check the labels and ingredients

What about food allergies? Check the labels carefully. Foods from different cultures contain various spices. Be aware of all ingredients in the foods.

Medicine Chest - Childcare Health Consultants:

What is a childcare health consultant? "A health professional who has an interest in and experience with children, has knowledge of resources and regulations, and is comfortable linking health resources with facilities."

What training does a consultant have? Consultants may be physicians, certified pediatric or family nurse practitioners, or registered nurses with pediatric or out-of-home childcare experience. A consultant also may be a health educator, pharmacist, environmental health specialist, medical social worker, oral health specialist, licensed dietitian, or other child health professional.

What does a childcare health consultant do? The consultant helps providers improve the health, safety, and overall quality of childcare programs through consultation, staff training, and resource referral. The consultant also serves as a "bridge" to a variety of specialized services in the community and state.

Staff Health - Clean Water Tips:

Is the water from a bubble-type cooler safe? In a recent study, 10 out of 10 water coolers tested had bacterial counts much higher than the government-recommended limit.

How can I clean the cooler? Clean your bubbler once every month by running a cup of household bleach through the reservoirs and spigots. Then, remove all bleach residues by rinsing the unit with three or more gallons of tap water.