Controlling Infections in Child Care

Handwashing is the most important way to reduce the spread of infection. Common diseases and illnesses, such as diarrhea and colds, are greatly reduced when everyone, children and adults, follows a specific handwashing policy.

According to Caring for our Children: National Health and safety Performance Standards, all staff, children and volunteers should wash their hands
a. Upon arrival for the day or when moving from one group to another.
b. Before and after eating; handling food or feeding a child; giving medication; playing in water that is used by more than one person.
c. After diapering; using the toilet or helping a child use a toilet; handling bodily fluids such as mucus, blood from sneezing; wiping noses, etc; handling uncooked flood; handling pets and other animals; playing in sandboxes; cleaning or handling the garbage.

Handwashing Procedure

a. Have a clean, disposable paper towel or individual single use towel available.
b. Turn on warm water.
c. Moisten ands with water and apply liquid soap to hands.
d. Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears and rub for at least 10 seconds. Rub areas between fingers, around and under nails, jewelry and back of hands.
e. Rinse hands under running water and leave water running while drying hands.
f. Dry hands with a clean disposable paper towel.
g. Turn tap off with the disposable towel.
h. Throw disposable towel into a lined trash container. If single-use cloths are used for drying hands, cloths should be placed in hamper. Individually labeled cloth towel can be hung to dry.

It is suggested to use water between 60F and 120F, but be sure to test water temperature before washing children's hands.

Providers should clean toys and equipment on a regular basis with a bleach solution to help control the spread of infection. Combine 1/2 cup of household liquid chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water and out into a spray bottle. Be sure to label the bottle as a bleach solution. First, clean the visible dirt with detergent and rinse well. Then spray the bleach solution to sanitize. Air-drying is fine.