Dirty Places, Part 7: Day-Care and Pre-Schools
By this time, most of you probably feel that I am germophobic, but I am not. I am very germo-aware, however.
For nearly ten years, my PA wife and I taught a course for day-care providers in the Sacramento area, called "Pediatrics for Child Care Providers". This class was required for community licensing. Hygiene practices and infectious disease recognition was a significant part of this all-day course.
In a previous entry, I came out in favor of parents taking care of their own children, rather than sending them off to day-care. The Blog comments went about 50% in my favor, but some adverse comments made me fear for my life.
There is a medical term called zoonosis, which means diseases that we catch from animals. I coined my own term for diseases that we catch from our kids called pedianosis.
As much as we love our kids, you have to admit the children practice a considerably lower level of hygiene than adults. Children are inherently social and touch everything. Cleanliness is not natural for them. Children also have immature immune systems that make the attract germs like Velcro; germs that they freely share with us or their classmates.
A generation ago, children were first exposed to grouped care when they started kindergarten; about age five. By this age, children have a more challenged immune system, but they still got sick. Now, children are starting day-care as infants, perhaps the most vulnerable age for acquiring infectious diseases.
While some day-care facilities are cleaner than some homes, and certainly cleaner than hospitals or restaurants, they are still a depository for infectious disease. Day-care providers use gloves when they change diapers, they disinfect surfaces and clean toilet areas often. Despite those preventative efforts many community outbreaks, such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, Strep/scarlet fever, infectious diarrhea, hepatitis A, and chicken pox can be traced back to day-care.
Most medical charts have a section called a problem list. This is where we indicate if you are a smoker, have high blood pressure, etc. In pediatrics, I include day-care attendance on the problem list, since these children are more likely to be exposed to disease, and more likely to get them. From simple colds and flu to more serious, even life-threatening illness, children in day-care can get them all.
Middle ear infections are the most common reason that children are brought for medical care. Studies have shown that colds are the most common predisposing factor for ear infections. The second most common predisposing factor is day-care attendance (the SOURCE of those colds).
Since working parents have to miss work to bring children for care, day-care illness have a huge impact on the workforce. Most missed days for working parents are related to child illnesses. Parents quickly run out of sick days, so many will just go to work when they are ill, spreading their own illnesses to co-workers - the unwanted gift that keeps on giving.
We read much about doping in the media - the practice of giving drugs to enhance performance. Do you know that doping takes place in daycare? Some parents are so desperate to get to work that they will send ill children to day-care anyway. Parents have admitted to me that they will administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen to the kids in the mornings to suppress a fever that would otherwise exclude them.
They also send kids who have potentially infectious diarrhea, sore throats, and rashes. They administer antihistamines so noses will not drip; as well as cough suppressants. Many of these drugs cause kids to be hyperactive. As soon as those pre-medications wear off -- about four to six hours after coming to day-care -- many of these stealthily-ill children will mysteriously get fevers, runny noses, or start coughing again.
Parents will be contacted to pick up their sick kids, but the damage has been done. They may have already started their own day-care epidemic.
Some childhood illnesses, like colds, are inevitable -- viral infections can be spread a day BEFORE you know the child is sick. However, when parents purposely send a newly-sick child to day-care, then should realize the impact that this selfish act will have on the entire community.
When you start your children in day-care, you need to expect they will get sick, sometimes in the first week. And, they will also be infecting YOU. It adds a whole new meaning to the expression, "What did you bring home from school today?"
What can you do to limit the spread of day-care illnesses?
References:
Related Topics: WebMD Video: The Dirty Truth on Handwashing, WebMD Video: Surviving Kids' Germs
Technorati Tags: dirty places, daycare, sick kids
If you're just now joining us, you'll want to read Public Toilets (part 1), Airplanes (part 2), Your Doctor's Office (part 3), Hotels and Motels (part 4), Restaurants (part 5), and Dirty Movies (part 6)
For nearly ten years, my PA wife and I taught a course for day-care providers in the Sacramento area, called "Pediatrics for Child Care Providers". This class was required for community licensing. Hygiene practices and infectious disease recognition was a significant part of this all-day course.
In a previous entry, I came out in favor of parents taking care of their own children, rather than sending them off to day-care. The Blog comments went about 50% in my favor, but some adverse comments made me fear for my life.
There is a medical term called zoonosis, which means diseases that we catch from animals. I coined my own term for diseases that we catch from our kids called pedianosis.
As much as we love our kids, you have to admit the children practice a considerably lower level of hygiene than adults. Children are inherently social and touch everything. Cleanliness is not natural for them. Children also have immature immune systems that make the attract germs like Velcro; germs that they freely share with us or their classmates.
A generation ago, children were first exposed to grouped care when they started kindergarten; about age five. By this age, children have a more challenged immune system, but they still got sick. Now, children are starting day-care as infants, perhaps the most vulnerable age for acquiring infectious diseases.
While some day-care facilities are cleaner than some homes, and certainly cleaner than hospitals or restaurants, they are still a depository for infectious disease. Day-care providers use gloves when they change diapers, they disinfect surfaces and clean toilet areas often. Despite those preventative efforts many community outbreaks, such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, Strep/scarlet fever, infectious diarrhea, hepatitis A, and chicken pox can be traced back to day-care.
Most medical charts have a section called a problem list. This is where we indicate if you are a smoker, have high blood pressure, etc. In pediatrics, I include day-care attendance on the problem list, since these children are more likely to be exposed to disease, and more likely to get them. From simple colds and flu to more serious, even life-threatening illness, children in day-care can get them all.
Middle ear infections are the most common reason that children are brought for medical care. Studies have shown that colds are the most common predisposing factor for ear infections. The second most common predisposing factor is day-care attendance (the SOURCE of those colds).
Since working parents have to miss work to bring children for care, day-care illness have a huge impact on the workforce. Most missed days for working parents are related to child illnesses. Parents quickly run out of sick days, so many will just go to work when they are ill, spreading their own illnesses to co-workers - the unwanted gift that keeps on giving.
We read much about doping in the media - the practice of giving drugs to enhance performance. Do you know that doping takes place in daycare? Some parents are so desperate to get to work that they will send ill children to day-care anyway. Parents have admitted to me that they will administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen to the kids in the mornings to suppress a fever that would otherwise exclude them.
They also send kids who have potentially infectious diarrhea, sore throats, and rashes. They administer antihistamines so noses will not drip; as well as cough suppressants. Many of these drugs cause kids to be hyperactive. As soon as those pre-medications wear off -- about four to six hours after coming to day-care -- many of these stealthily-ill children will mysteriously get fevers, runny noses, or start coughing again.
Parents will be contacted to pick up their sick kids, but the damage has been done. They may have already started their own day-care epidemic.
Some childhood illnesses, like colds, are inevitable -- viral infections can be spread a day BEFORE you know the child is sick. However, when parents purposely send a newly-sick child to day-care, then should realize the impact that this selfish act will have on the entire community.
When you start your children in day-care, you need to expect they will get sick, sometimes in the first week. And, they will also be infecting YOU. It adds a whole new meaning to the expression, "What did you bring home from school today?"
What can you do to limit the spread of day-care illnesses?
- Don't send your child to day-care if they are ill. Your job is important, but not nearly as important as the health and well-being of your child.
- Practice good hand-washing and use hand sanitizers. Set a good example.
- Change school clothes as soon as you get home. Those clothes are very likely to be contaminated.
- Discourage poor health practices that you observe, such as nose-picking, open coughing/sneezing.
- If your child seems to be constantly ill, consider a smaller, home day-care setting rather than larger facilities.
- Keep your child well-immunized.
- If your child's doctor diagnoses an infectious disease, make sure to report it to the day-care facility so they can react according. During cold and flu seasons, a higher level of hygiene and disinfection should be actively practiced.
- Many day-care facilities send home exposure reports. Rather than panic, educate yourself about any potential exposure. Use WebMD and the Member Boards wisely and often.
- Don't insist on antibiotics from your medical providers unless they are clearly needed. The overuse of antibiotics is one of the primary reasons for the emergence of resistant strains.
- Your child can return to day-care when they are well; and when they are no longer considered contagious.
References:
Related Topics: WebMD Video: The Dirty Truth on Handwashing, WebMD Video: Surviving Kids' Germs
Technorati Tags: dirty places, daycare, sick kids
If you're just now joining us, you'll want to read Public Toilets (part 1), Airplanes (part 2), Your Doctor's Office (part 3), Hotels and Motels (part 4), Restaurants (part 5), and Dirty Movies (part 6)
18 Comments:
Hey! Remember me? Shawn Strannigan. You took care of us when we lived in Sacramento (we were in a bad car accident in '84)and taught me how to use the otoscope on my 3 girls. I was just thinking about Lindsey the other day. Are you still in the Sacramento area?
Hi Dr. Moser, Not necessarily related to daycare but I happen to be some where last week and saw this for this first time.
It was a public restaurant in a place that sees thousands of people a day....Ok, it was a casino in Detroit.....In their restroom the toilet seats are all cover with a plastic firm fitted cover. It was pretty neat. What you do is run your hand in front of the sensor on back of toilet before sitting down and somehow (not sure of the mechanics) the plastic is like on a conveyor belt, and automatically goes some where in the back of toilet and the seat is covered with new plastic.
Also, when you stand up and the toilet flushes it automatically replaces the plastic on the seat. I guess in case someone doesn't read the instructions on the wall for replacing it when they come in they will still have new plastic. So if you follow directions, that plastic has actually been changed twice since someone else has used it.
Pretty neat indeed. I though of you when I saw how this works.
Thanks for some excellent advice!
The rule in our house is when anyone comes in (from work, school, wherever) their hands get washed first thing.
Our five year old didn't miss a single day of school all year due to illness.
Good idea on changing the clothes too - it never occurred to me that they were covered in germs!
Shawn. Hummmmm....that has been quite a while ago; over twenty years. I would like to say that I remember, but....Lindsey has a better memory that I have.
Lindsey and I are both working in the Sac area; Orangevale and Roseville.
Yes, I love those cool seat covers. I boom to all of us. Thanks for reminding me that technology does have ways of protecting us....
Summer Camp is also a big germ spreder. So far at my child's summer camp the stomach flu, strep, and pink eye have gone around! It's crazy. Thankfully my child has not gotten them! As a parent I would definatly keep my child home when they are sick and would not send them back to school or camp until they were up to it. This also works since I am a stay at home mom. Camp is just something for my child to do during the summer!
Thank you for your courage by implying that infants should not be placed in daycare (re: your earlier post).
If I was an infant, I think I would choose a loving parent over a stranger (who is NOT motivated by love) taking care of me any day!
I figure if something happens to me, I can't be replaced for my husband by a housekeeper and concubine, so how can I be so easily replaced for my CHILD by hired help?
The need for both parents to work is RARE--check out various frugal living websites. There are lots of stay-at-home moms whose husbands bring home only $25,000 or so. I know lots of couples who are choosing nice houses, cars with payments, etc.--THINGS--over raising their child.
People say they're raising their kids, and they're not paying someone else to do it. But how many waking hours does a parent have with their kid if it's in daycare? Drop her/him off at 7:30, pick up the baby at 5:30, run home, make supper, play a little, bathtime and bedtime. How many waking hours--even with weekends--are you getting with your kids compared to the daycare employees?
And this doesn't even address how much strain this puts on a marriage. By the time you get the kids into bed, you're too tired for each other!
And "stay at home" doesn't literally mean "at home." Socialization for both mom and kids can take place at the park, in mommy groups, playgroups, etc.
I just don't think babies should be brought into the world if parents only want them "part time."
Every time I've stepped into a daycare in my past job, it's a sad place. I get SWARMED by little kids wanting one-on-one attention.
The other day I was at the park with my toddler. She and I were playing the swings, and a van pulled up from a daycare. About a dozen preschoolers and 2 caretakers piled out. The "caretakers" sat down on a bench, chatting and occasionally glancing up at the kids. But all the kids wanted ME to push them on the swings, catch them at the bottom of the slide, etc. When I realized my own child was being neglected through all this, I had to kindly tell the children, "You need to go ask one of your 'teachers.'" They hung their heads and went off by themselves. They didn't want a 'teacher'--they wanted a MOTHER.
And ask any kindergarten teacher--they can tell which children have been at home with an involved parent versus an institutionalized daycare.
I agree daycare is better for a child, though, if there isn't a caring parent at home. Some stability must be offered. And so we need to be sure that daycare is as healthy and high-quality as possible.
But most of the time, daycare is an unnecessary choice that overall makes children suffer.
I used to work for a daycare and agree that parents should not bring their children to school when they are ill. I had many cases of parents doing this then you could not reach them to come and pick up their child. In the mean time all of the other children and the teachers have been exposed to the illness. We always kept everything clean but you would be amazed at what children do in such a short time. They put things in their mouth then other children pick up the toys and do the same thing. Teachers can only do so much with the teacher to child ratio that they have. If there is a choice of daycare or stay at home I would choose stay at home because you have more control over what your child is exposed to. At daycares you never know what your child might come in contact with.
I agree, I'm being more cautious about germs lately mostly because I'm TTC.
I just want to say that I also worked in a daycare. And believe me, I cared very deeply for those kids. I worked two jobs (to pay off college loans) in order to be able to do what I loved - being a preschool teacher. These people get paid squat, yet are expected to make up exciting, active lessons with almost no materials being provided. Agreed not all day care providers are there to love your kid as much as a mom would - but a lot do! Don't sterotype thousands of people.
As far as germs and getting sick...It is terrible. We stressed hand washing and I did lessons on germs making you sick, but kids are kids. Some days you want to just spray them all down with lysol! I got strep throat 10 times in the first year of being a preschool teacher, to the point I had to have my tonsils out.
Stay at home facilities are great, if you get someone who is dependable. But I worry then about whether the kids are being hit, molested, etc....who's watching the providers?
It's a tough choice indeed....
To the person commenting about children in daycare. I'd like to know where you get your information from. Who are you to say that my choice of putting my child into daycare makes me an uncaring parent? Kudos to you if you think that your life is so wonderful because you don't have to put your child in daycare. Yea, and I'm sure she is "So smart", knows 3 languages, and probably can't even play with another child because she doesn't know how. I suggest you read some stats about the good that child care does. I know because I have worked in the childcare field for 10+ years and my 4 year old is with me everyday. And I work for a very reputable "corporation." Individuals like you really make me laugh. And what you saw at the park is a shame, but don't assume that all caretakes are that way. I have seen and worked with some of the best. And who knows, maybe that will be your daughter in 20 years and she'll be reading your post.
Respose To Anonymous......I can understand some people not wanting to put their infant or child in a childcare center. But to imply that they are a horrible thing and the people there are not "motivated by love" is wrong. I am a child care worked and have been for almost nine years. MOST of the people who work in child care ARE motivated by love, (we all know it's not the money) and we love and care for those children as best as we can. Also if you were to ask a kindergarten teacher if they could tell the difference they would say "Yes" because children who attend day care are more likely to be well adjusted to a group setting. Also it is not always possible for a parent to stay at home and not work. There are thousands of single parents out there, that if not for childcare, wouldn't be able to raise their child at all. They wouldn't be able to go to work and make money to meet the childs needs. So before you step all over parents that have to work and childcare workers that put their heart into caring for other people's children maybe you should think about that fact that the world can't be "up to your standards" all the time.
Hey Every1
I am debating whether or not to put my kids in daycare (2 year old girl & 7 month old boy preemie). Some tips I got from Daycare providers was to check out the daycare thouroughly like past complaints and lawsuits. Drop by without notice to check it out so you can see the "true" providers at work. Try it out for a week and follow your kids. If they don't like it you know the answer if they like it go ahead. I remember once taking my mother-in-law to the doctor there was a daycare across the street and the provider was yelling and hitting the kids, so becareful out there. There are some great daycare you just have to look hard for them. My friend found one where it is more like a big kids school where they have "classes" and an web cam with password so her and only her can check on the kids. Plus she sends her sister who works cloe by to check on the kids during different parts of the day. I know if my kids are in daycare it will only be two-three days out of the week(some daycares charge by day and discount for families just ask).Thanks for reading my blog.
We have used a "nursery" school for all of our children, where the "3" year olds go 2x per week, and the 4's 3x per week for several hours per day. andost of the time we used a co-op school where the parents took turns helping with the class. It gives the children some additional experience with group activities, sharing, ... while still spending most of their time with mom
I am a full-time working mother of a wonderful, very well adjusted 2 1/2 year old little girl. I was very upset by the comments made by anonymous about being an unloving parent. While my husband and I have kicked around the idea of me staying at home with our daughter and soon-to-be baby due in August, we decided that it didn't work for our home. We have appreciated the daycare environment for our child and love the skills and speech she has learned from other children & the preschool program she began at 20 months. While there are some things I wish that didn't come home (a few choice words or phrases from older children, colds and illness), I have also valued things I haven't seen in my own friend's stay-at-home children. My 2 1/2 year old only speaks in full sentences, can carry on a conversation with an adult or other children, loves to play with other children and doesn't cry when I have to leave her with a sitter to spend a much needed evening with my husband. I LOVE being able to give my child the things she would like to have while at the store, give her plenty of friends to play with and give me a life of my own WHILE I feel as though I am contributing to my families wellbeing and not taking from it. (My family just moved and I was at home for 4 weeks while looking for work, I am GLAD to be back at work and have my daughter back in daycare!)
I am a mother and a preschool teacher. It is a Mother's Day Out program, so most of the parents do not work. I choose to do this to help socialize my children and to earn a little bit of money (I do have a degree in Elementary Education). However, even stay at home moms send their children to school sick. They are only there four hours, but the children will tell you things like, "I had a fever and Mommy gave me some medacine." or "Mommy gave me something so I would not cough." So before you go judging working parents, stay at home parents are just as bad. So, please, please keep your kids home if they are sick, I know I do because I see what it does to the other children.
Also, it is never too late to teach hygiene to your children. The children in my class know about washing hands, not putting things in their mouths and to cough and sneeze into their elbow (covering your mouth with your hands also spreads germs when your hands touch something). I am proud to say only a few children in my class have been sick this year, and the parents have noticed.
I'm very fortunate to be able to take my son to my parents or my mother-in-laws while I work. Not only do I not have to pay but I dont have to worry about all the illnesses that go around daycare. However, I will be taking my son to a daycare 1 day a week so that he can get familiar with other children and get used to people that he does not know. Its horroble when parents keep there kids to themselves. They get bored with the same people just like we do. Also, having colds are not bad they help build your childs immune system. But anyways.... for all those mothers that have no choice but to put your children in daycare to make a living..... good job. At least you are not at home sitting on your ... you know what.... collecting from the government!!
Concerned Father,
recently are daughter whom is 4 years old shared with us that she was touched by an older 7 year old boy the teacher was made aware of this and tried to brush this under the carpet after speaking with other parents that know him this boy has been known for this behavior ,is this simply curiousty ? The young boy whom is 7 has this game he calls the privates game and trys to engage the boys in this as well as the girls how should this be handled?
In response to earlier post by a mother about infants in daycare.. I am currently an employee at an understaffed daycare and I feel the pain of the children daily. I am a social work major in my junior year of college and I have great compassion for children. I see parents everyday that drop their children off at 7 am and don't come and get them until 6 pm... ON THEIR DAYS OFF. The children are not dumb and they do feel unloved. One mother dropped off her 18 month old and told me she was off to lie by the pool... sickening! Oh and before I sign off on this post, I am the only preschool age supervisor along with my "aid". That is two young women (we are 20 and 22 years old) with 22 children under the age of 4 everyday. Oh and I have had strept so many times I recently had a very dangerous tonsil removal because of an absess. One set of twins had fevers of over 102 degrees and their mother refused to leave work to tend to them.
I am a 20 year old frustrated daycare worker in PA raised by a stay at home at mom and glad of it.
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