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Objectives The project aims were to (1) develop an observational Health and Safety Checklist to assess health and safety practices and conditions in early care and education (ECE) programs using Stepping Stones ToCaring For Our Children, 3rd Edition national standards, (2) pilot test the Checklist, completed by nurse child care health consultants, to assess feasibility, ease of completion, objectivity, validity, and reliability, and (3) revise the Checklist based on the qualitative and quantitative results of the pilot study. Methods The observable national health and safety standards were identified and then rated by health, safety, and child care experts using a Delphi technique to validate the standards as essential to prevent harm and promote health. Then, child care health consultants recruited ECE centers and pilot tested the 124-item Checklist. The pilot study was conducted in Arizona, California and North Carolina. The psychometric properties of the Checklist were assessed. Results The 37 participating ECE centers had 2627 children from ethnically-diverse backgrounds and primarily low-income families. The child care health consultants found the Checklist easy to complete, objective, and useful for planning health and safety interventions. The Checklist had content and face validity, inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity. Based on the child care health consultant feedback and psychometric properties of the Checklist, the Checklist was revised and re-written at an 8th grade literacy level. Conclusion The Health and Safety Checklist provides a standardized instrument of observable, selected national standards to assess the quality of health and safety in ECE centers., Author(s): Abbey Alkon[sup.1] , Roberta Rose[sup.1] , Mimi Wolff[sup.1] , Jonathan B. Kotch[sup.2] , Susan S. Aronson[sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) UCSF School of Nursing, 2 Koret Way, 94143-0606, San Francisco, [...]

Infectious diseases can cost many days of fun and learning for children and adults. Some, but not all illness, is inevitable. It is important to have an arrangement with a health professional to observe practices from time to time, and advise about how to prevent and manage infectious disease. Start by practicing easy routines to keep everyone healthier, without becoming germ-phobic. Good reference materials can help plan and implement preventive policies and procedures. This article discusses ways on how to make sense of germ control to stay healthy. Included is a list of books and web sites for reference on prevention and management of infections. (Contains 3 figures.)

Describes child care programs in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in December 1989 in terms of commitment to children; infant care facilities; program funding; curriculum implementation; staffing practices; incidence, treatment, and control of illnesses; and parent involvement. (BB)

ABBREVIATIONS. AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; ECELS, Early Childhood Education Linkage System; TLC, The Learning Center. The late Fred Rogers taught me that, when someone thanks you for your work, [...]

Argues that child care providers play an important role in assuring the timely and complete immunization of young children. Suggests that full immunization be a condition of participation in child care. Describes resources that can be used to promote timely and complete immunizations. (HOD)

A physician addresses three health concerns of child care center directors. She provides information about the increasing number of children with asthma problems, the exclusion of ill children from child care settings, and the increasing concern about lead poisoning. (GLR)

Discusses symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the flu. Also discusses effects of antibiotics on colds. (RJC)

The rationale and goals are given for the development of 'Caring for Our Children - National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs.' jointly prepared by the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They represent the national consensus of experts on the prevention of injury and illness among children and daycare providers. Specific standards come either from data gathered through studies or from expert opinion when evidence was not available. Wherever possible, standards are specific so that compliance can be readily measured. While wholesale adoption of the standards is ideal, funds are limited, and policy makers may have to prioritize based on severity of risk. However, providing quality childcare deserves adequate funding. For too long low wages have subsidized childcare, eroding quality, and policy makers have only taken action in response to disasters.

Pediatricians may play an important role in the development and use of standards to improve the quality of out-of-home child care. Children cared for in a group setting may have a higher risk of certain diseases or injuries than those cared for at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have developed on a set of standards for out-of-home child care. These standards established a set of guidelines to insure the health and safety of children in a group care setting. The guidelines were based on 10 different areas of concern in regards to health and safety. A surveillance system is necessary to ensure compliance with these standards and to identify ways to improve the quality of care. Pediatricians should assist with the analysis and interpretation of compliance data. Health care professionals should also work together with child care workers to improve the quality of care.

Addresses the following issues confronting health and safety in child care: minimizing injuries, controlling diseases, managing classroom environment, and promoting health. (HOD)

Examines the issues involved in determining the criteria to use for excluding ill children from day care centers. (HOD)

Discusses appropriate steps to be taken in a day care setting to minimize the known risks associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Explains what CMV is; why people should worry about CMV; how it is spread; and how it can be treated and prevented. Suggests a number of hygiene practices for use in day care centers. (RWB)

Discusses a reasoned response by child care centers to the AIDS virus problem. Considers means of transmission and hygienic practice. Concludes that there is either an extremely low risk or no risk of transmission by children infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to other children in a day care setting. (NH)

Discusses the absence of national standards which are uniformly applicable to health, safety, sanitation, and nutrition aspects of child care programs. Explains the responsive collaborative project of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Public Health Association to develop national reference standards for out-of-home child care programs. (RWB)

Discusses the need for, selection and use of health consultants in child care programs. (BB)

Points out that children are uniquely susceptible to toxic substances. Describes the hazards that asbestos, pesticides, and art materials pose to children. Offers practical advice for dealing with common problems encountered in child care programs. (RJC)

Discusses job-related health problems, such as infectious diseases and job stress, that are of concern to child caregivers in child care settings. Ways that these problems can be alleviated and/or medically treated are also discussed. (BB)

Provides a guide to the selection of safe and appropriate playground equipment for day care centers. Stresses the need for developmental appropriateness, careful choice of equipment, and adequate supervision. (SKC)

Discusses differing opinions about (1) exclusion of ill children from child care; (2) the meaning of fever; (3) appropriate care for ill children; (4) transfer of information about ill children in child care; and (5) written policies and procedures for care of ill children. (NH)

Reports on a two-year, 72-hour training program in advocacy and safety for 117 workers in child-care programs. A pretest and posttest of health knowledge showed significant gain in all areas covered by the training, which a seven-month follow-up showed was retained. Journal Availability: American Academy of Pediatrics, P.O. Box 1034, Evanston, IL 60204 (Author/DLS)

A committee from the International Conference on Child Day Care Health: Science, Prevention, and Practice presents a list of common themes and recommendations from the conference. Child daycare health is regarded as an essential part of social support for families. Health issues include the risk of infectious disease and injury within the daycare setting and the opportunity to provide primary health education and health assessment to small children and their families. Government regulation and the implementation of standards will be required. Cooperation between public health administration, day care providers, parents, medical practitioners and governmental agencies will be needed to ensure affordable, quality daycare to all children.

Presents practical advice on treating head lice, especially among children. Also includes instructions to parents for the treatment of lice. (Author/BB)

Discusses a three-year project to develop national standards for health and safety in the child care setting. Also describes insect stings, their dangers, and their treatment. (RJC)

Maintains that the prevention of heart disease begins in childhood with good dietary habits and health care. Provides parents and child care professionals with guidelines they can use to help prevent heart disease in children. (BB)

Discusses ways to teach children prevention of injury and disease. Caregivers should both model and counsel good hygiene, safety, appropriate nutrition, rest, and exercise. (NH)

Discusses safety aspects of tree climbing and the use of sand in outdoor play areas at day care centers. Specifies ways to prune trees so that they are unclimbable and methods for maintaining sand areas. Includes a recipe for sand disinfectant. (MDM)