National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program 

NAEPP School Asthma Education Subcommittee 

National Asthma Education and 

Prevention Program

National Asthma Education and 

Prevention Program How Asthma-Friendly Is Your Child-Care Setting?

Children with asthma need proper support in child-care settings to keep their asthma under control and be 

fully active. use the checklist below to find out how well your child-care setting assists children with asthma:

F Is the child-care setting free of tobacco smoke at all times?

F Is there good ventilation in the child-care setting? Are allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse 

reduced or eliminated? Check if any of the following are present: 

F Cockroaches

F Dust mites (commonly found in humid climates in pillows, carpets, upholstery, and stuffed toys)

F Mold

F Furry pets 

F Strong odors or fumes from art and craft supplies, pesticides, paint, perfumes, air fresheners, 

and cleaning chemicals

F Is there a medical or nursing consultant available to help child-care staff write policy and guidelines for 

managing medications in the child-care setting, reducing allergens and irritants, promoting safe physical 

activities, and planning field trips for students with asthma?

F Are child-care staff prepared to give medications as prescribed by each child’s physician and authorized 

by each child’s parent? May school-aged children carry their own asthma medicines when appropriate? Is 

there someone available to supervise children while taking asthma medicines and monitor correct inhaler use?

F Is there a written, asthma action plan for each child in case of a severe asthma episode (attack)? Does the plan 

make clear what action to take? Whom to call? When to call?

F Does a nurse, respiratory therapist, or other knowledgeable person teach child-care staff about asthma,

asthma management plans, reducing allergens and irritants, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all 

the older children about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?

F Does the child-care provider help children with asthma participate safely in physical activities? For example, 

are children encouraged to be active? Can children take or be given their medicine before exercise? Are 

modified or alternative activities available when medically necessary?

If the answer to any question is “no,” children in your child-care setting may be facing obstacles to controlling 

their asthma. Uncontrolled asthma can hinder a child’s attendance, participation, and progress in school. Childcare staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and promote children’s health 

and development.

Contact the organizations listed for information about asthma and helpful ideas for making school policies and 

practices more asthma-friendly. Federal and State laws are in place to help children with asthma. 

Asthma can be controlled; expect nothing less.

October 2008
Resources for Families and School Staff

National Asthma Education and Prevention

Program 

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 

Information Center 

(301) 251-1222 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov 

NAEPP School Materials 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/

Allergy & Asthma Network 

Mothers of Asthmatics

(800) 878-4403 or (703) 641-9595 

www.breatherville.org

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & 

Immunology 

(800) 822-ASMA or (414) 272-6071 

www.aaaai.org

American Academy of Pediatrics 

(800) 433-9016 or (847) 228-5005 

www.aap.org

American Association for Respiratory Care 

(972) 243-2272 

www.aarc.org

American Association of School Administrators

703-841-0700

www.aasa.org

American College of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology 

(800) 842-7777 or (847) 427-1200 

http://www.acaai.org

American Lung Association 

For the affiliate nearest you, call 

(800) LUNG USA 

www.lungusa.org

American School Health Association

(330) 678-1601

www.ashaweb.org

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 

(800) 7-ASTHMA or (202) 466-7643 

www.aafa.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 

Health Promotion

Division of Adolescent and School Health

(800) CDC-INFO

www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Environmental Health

Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects

(800) CDC-INFO 

www.cdc.gov/asthma

National Association of School Boards

(703) 838-6722

www.nsba.org/SchoolHealth

National Association of School Nurses

(866) 627-6767

www.nasn.org

National Association of State Boards of 

Education

(703) 684.4000

www.nasbe.org

U.S. Department of Education 

Office for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team 

(800) 421-3481 or (202) 205-5413 

www.ed.gov/offices/OCR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Indoor Environments Division 

(202) 233-9370 

www.epa.gov/iaq/schools

Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse 

(800) 438-4318 

www.epa.gov/iaq