Improving Health Practices in EC Setting: Preventing the Spread of Infection

Course Description: In order to maintain healthy and safe learning environments for young children, staff in all early education and care settings need to adhere to recommended practices for infection control, including managing infectious diseases, caring for mildly ill children, personal hygiene, and diapering and toileting (APA, 2012). Topics include an overview of how infection is spread, measures to take to reduce the spread of infection, and how to plan to adapt program practices and policies to meet the recommendations for preventing the spread of infection.  New information on sanitizing and disinfecting solutions and resources for planning for infection control will be shared. 

Course Objectives: Participants will:  
1.  Identify ways infections are spread;
2. Describe the impact of infection and infectious diseases on children, families, and staff;
3. Discuss appropriate policies for care of mildly ill children in child care, and exclusion  and return to care practices for children with illnesses  in child care;
4. Identify examples of factors involved in controlling the spread of infection;
5. Demonstrate the steps for proper hand washing techniques and when adults and children should wash their hands in an early childhood setting;
6. Explain proper diaper changing procedures in an early childhood setting including;
7. Classify the situations and procedures for cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting in an early childhood setting, including use of products.

More Information

EEC Training Hours: 5

CEU: 1.5

Core Competency Alignment: 4: Health, Safety, and Nutrition

QRIS Standard Alignment: This course will help early childhood programs increase their performance on the Environmental Rating Scales and will prepare them for the health specialist visit at Level 3 QRIS.