Sickness and Health:
Diabetes Management in the Childcare Setting

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a long term condition that blocks the body from using food, especially sugars, properly.

How can I know what to do for the child with diabetes? You should have an individualized Health Care Plan (HCP) for the child. The HCP is a written communication between the parent, health care professionals, and the childcare staff. It helps everyone involved to be informed on how to manage the child's condition.

What daily needs will this child have? Children with diabetes may have diet restrictions, need additional snacks or modified activity periods, or require special procedures such as blood glucose testing, urine testing, and the administration of insulin injections.

Do I have to check a child's blood sugar level? You may have a child who requires monitoring (a finger prick test) while in your care. Check with your licensing/certifying authority about rules and regulations. Also, be sure you and your staff are trained by a qualified health care professional such as a physician, registered nurse, or certified diabetes educators.

Safety First: Toy Safety

Should I purchase used toys at yard sales? Used toys seldom have the original packaging and safety labels.You may be missing important warnings, as well as instructions for safe handling, assembly, and cleaning.

How can I disinfect toys? A mild bleach solution can be used on most wood or plastic toys. Stuffed or fabric toys should be laundered in the washing machine.

What are some of the toy hazards for infants? Choking, strangulation, and suffocation are some of the dangers. Keep small items and items with strings or cords out of infants' reach and away from the crib. Do not put large stuffed toys or pillows in the crib.

Should children play with balloons? Latex balloons have been associated with many choking incidents and deaths. Mylar balloons are much safer for children.

Nutrition Action: Pass The Vegetables

Do children have to eat vegetables? Both vegetables and fruits contain many nutrients. Encourage children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are no particular vegetables that children have to eat!

How can I maintain the most nutrients in vegetables? You can save nutrients by cooking vegetables more quickly. Try steaming or stir frying vegetables. Also, use just a little water in cooking.

Can I serve raw vegetables to children? Raw vegetables can be fun and delicious! Wash vegetables, and cut in appropriate size to prevent choking. Hard vegetables, such as carrots, should be grated to prevent choking.

How can I make vegetables more appealing to children? Try cooking vegetables in different ways; serve raw vegetables with dip, dressing, or sauce, serve 100 percent vegetable juice, add spices to vegetables.

Medicine Chest: Diaper Rash

What is diaper rash? Diaper rash is a skin irritation. It usually begins as redness or small bumps on the lower abdomen, genitals, buttocks and thigh folds.

When to babies usually develop diaper rash? Diaper rash is often found on babies eight-ten months old, whose bottoms are not kept clean and dry, who have frequent "dirty" diapers, or who are taking antibiotics. The best treatment and preventive measure for diaper rash is frequent diaper changes and cleaning

Health & You: Healthy Daily Eating

How much is a "serving" of food? A "serving" is a small amount, usually 3-4 ounces, or 1/2 cup or less.

How much of my total daily calories should come from fats? No more than 30 percent.

How much water should I drink each day? Your body needs 48 to 64 ounces of water each daily

What are some ways to control overeating or "emotional" eating? Eat smaller portions, limit second helpings, only eat when sitting at a table, eat slowly, avoid snacking between meals, and put away any leftovers before eating.