Daycare centers are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and germs, but there are ways to prevent germs from spreading. If not already in place, every daycare center should arrange for routine cleaning and disinfection. Daycare employees and parents must use common sense in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Keeping contagious children out of daycare is the first line of defense against spreading germs to others. Most daycare centers have a policy of sending feverish children home. But symptoms of illness are often overlooked or ignored. If a child is sluggish, doesn’t feel well, or isn’t interacting normally, it is in everyone’s best interest for that child to be sent home early.

The best way to prevent the spread of disease is to routinely disinfect common areas on a daily basis. Toys and books should be wiped down as well as all furniture like tables, desks and chairs. Washing contaminated surfaces and items with hot, soapy water should always come before disinfection. The following is a list of the CDC’s recommended levels of chlorine bleach for use in disinfecting different areas of childcare facilities:

• Surfaces, tables, toys, food prep areas – Add 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water
• Dishes, utensils, mouthed toys – Add 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water and soak items in water for at least 1 minute before rinsing
• Diaper changing areas, toilets, surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids – Add ¼ cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water

Disinfectant wipes should be made available for daycare employees to use after a sneeze or cough. Hand sanitizer liquid is another good way to eliminate germs and help stop the spread of disease. It is also important to monitor the children during snack or meal time because this is a common occasion for sharing germs through drinking cups or food.

Daycare workers must remember to wash hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, caring for a sick child and also before preparing or eating food. Finally, if you know a child is sick, remember to thoroughly clean and disinfect the contaminated surfaces by washing the area and then disinfecting it using a chlorine bleach solution.

For more information about the safety benefits of chlorinated water, please visit our website.

(Chris J. Wiant, M.P.H., Ph.D., is president and CEO of the Caring for Colorado Foundation. He is also chair of the Water Quality & Health Council)

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