The program's policies should clearly set out guidelines for when caregivers, centre staff or children are required to stay home. Guidelines help parents decide if their children should go to child care. Parents should arrange in advance to have alternative child care available. Both caregivers and parents should keep each other informed about the health of each child, every day. In this way, infectious diseases can sometimes be stopped from spreading.
Every setting needs clear policies and practices for infection control.
These should include handwashing, sanitation and food safety requirements. Handwashing is the best defence against spreading germs. Everyone should wash their hands after going to the toilet, changing a diaper, after caring for or cleaning up after someone who is sick, and before preparing or eating food. Hygienic diaper-changing routines prevent passing germs around. Their importance should be clear to all those working with children in the child care setting, including parents.