Keeping Children Healthy: Preventing the Spread of Illness in the Community Classroom
At OberlinKids, your child’s health and well-being are our top priorities. Young children learn and grow best in clean, safe environments. Because germs can spread quickly in group settings, especially among little ones still learning hygiene habits, we follow essential health practices to help prevent illness.
Here’s how we work together—with families and caregivers—to keep everyone healthy:
1. Frequent Handwashing* 🧼
Handwashing is the #1 way to stop the spread of germs.
Children and staff wash hands:
Before and after eating
After using the toilet or changing diapers
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing noses
After playing outdoors or with shared toys
We teach handwashing as a daily habit with songs and routines.
💡 Tip for Families: Practice proper hand washing at home—20 seconds with soap and water! Sing the A,B,C's or Happy Birthday with your child while washing their hands.
*Due to a lack of running water in the Community Classroom, we offer hand sanitizer at the classroom door and ask all to use it upon entering. Sinks are available in the restrooms in the main hallway, if needed. Any visibly dirty or contaminated toys may be cleaned by adults using the products on the shelf above the classroom sink or should be placed in the sink for staff to clean before returning them to the shelves.
2. Cleaning and Disinfecting 🧽
Toys, surfaces, and learning materials are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
High-touch areas (doorknobs, tables, light switches) are sanitized throughout the day.
Toys that go in mouths or get dirty are washed after each use.
Disinfectants are located out of children's reach but available for you to use as needed to help keep the classroom clean and safe for everyone. Please be sure to return them to the proper location when not in use.
Please any soiled or mouthed toys in the sink for staff to disinfect them before returning them for others to use.
3. Symptom Checks and Staying Home When Sick 😷
We work with families to recognize early signs of illness:
Fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or general fatigue
Children with symptoms are kept home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours (without medicine)
Staff also stay home when sick
🧑⚕️ Doctor’s Note: In some cases, a doctor’s clearance may be needed to return to care in centers.
4. Safe Toy Sharing 🧸
We reduce germ-sharing through:
Rotating toys and sanitizing between uses
Using individual bins or kits for art supplies when possible
Encouraging children not to put toys in their mouths (and quickly washing if they do)
5. Teaching Healthy Habits 🧑🏫
We help children learn:
To cover coughs and sneezes with elbows or tissues
To throw away tissues and wash hands or use sanitizer right after
To avoid touching their faces and sharing food or drinks
Our caring teachers model and reinforce these habits daily.
6. Family Communication and Partnership 🤝
We stay in close contact with families when illness occurs:
Immediate notification of any contagious illnesses in the center
Clear guidelines for returning after illness
Support for families navigating doctor's visits and care decisions
📝 Enrollment Tip: Make sure your emergency contact and health information is up to date.
A Shared Commitment to Health 💛
Preventing illness is a team effort. With support from families and staff, we create a healthier, more nurturing environment where children can thrive.
If you ever have questions about our health and safety procedures, please reach out—we’re here to help.
