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MILTON AREA FAMILY CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION (MAFCCA)
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Daily Health Check at Child Care Centers

 

Do the daily health check when you greet each child and parent as they arrive. It usually takes less than a minute. Also observe the child throughout the day.

 

LISTEN: Greet the child and parent. Ask the child, "How are you today?" Ask the parent, "How are you doing? How's (name of child)?" "Was there anything different last night?" "How did he sleep?" "How was his/her appetite this morning?"

• Listen to what the child and parent tell you about how the child is feeling.

• If the child can talk, is he complaining of anything? Is he hoarse or wheezing?

 

LOOK: Get down to the child's level to see her clearly. Observe signs of health or illness.

 

GENERAL APPEARANCE:     (e.g., comfort, mood, behavior, and activity level)

o Is the child's behavior unusual for this time of day?

o Is the child clinging to the parent, acting cranky, dying, or fussing?

o Does she appear listless, in pain or have difficulty moving?

• Breathing

o Is the child coughing, breathing fast, or having difficulty breathing?

• Skin

o Does the child look pale or flushed?

o Do you see a rash, sores, swelling, or bruising?

o Is the child scratching her skin or scalp?

• Eyes, Nose, Ears, Mouth

o Do the child's eyes look red, crusty, goopy, or watery?

o Is there a runny nose?

o Is he pulling at his ears?

o Are there mouth sores, excessive drooling, or difficulty swallowing?

 

FEEL: Gently run the back of your hand over the child's cheek, forehead, or neck.

• Does the child feel unusually warm or cold and clammy?

• Does the skin feel bumpy?

 

SMELL: Be aware of unusual odors.

• Does the child's breath smell foul or fruity?

• Is there an unusual or foul smell to the child's stools?

 

 

Ill children and staff should be further screened by taking their temperature and inquiring about influenza symptoms – particularly cough and sore throat. See the "Flu Symptom Check List."

 

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Department of Public Health

 

Flu Symptom Check List for Families and Child Care Programs

Updated August 31, 2009

 

The main symptoms of influenza (flu) include fever and cough and/or sore throat. Some people also have a runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and feel tired. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. The most important thing that you can do to keep flu from spreading in the community is to keep your sick child at home when they are sick.

 

SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?

Yes      No             Has your child had a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the past 24 hours?

Yes      No             Does your child have a cough OR sore throat?

 

 

If you answered YES to both questions above, keep your child home.

Your child has an influenza-like illness.

CAN MY CHILD RETURN TO CHILD CARE?

Yes     No         Has your child had a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the past 24 hours?

Yes     No         Has your child had acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) in the past 24    hours?

 

 

If you answered NO to both questions above, your child can return to child care.

 

If you answered YES to either one of the questions above, your child CANNOT return to child care. Keep your child home for at least another day to observe for additional symptoms. Then use the check list questions again to decide whether you should continue to keep your child home.