It’s all over the news today, the swine flu is spreading and everyone is getting a little scared. The news makes it sound bad. So what should you do? Basically nothing new.
The swine flu (H1N1) is a form of
type A influenza and is treatable with Tamiflu and other medication. This strain, although new, is not particularly deadly. Yearly 63,729 Americans die of the flu (174 per day), so far only one death in the US is attributed to the swine flu.
As a Child Care Provider your best course of action it to continue what you are already doing. Just remind your children to cough and sneeze into their hands, always wash their hands, and use Kleenex when needed. You should also consider a good cleaning for you facility. (Its spring cleaning time right.) And don’t be afraid to send sick children home. You should have a good policy for when children will be sent home. The
Daycare Success System has some great example contained in it for you use.
This is also a great time to send a note home for the parents to reassure them and inform them about how you are dealing with this outbreak.
