Preventing day-care—related illnesses

The number of children enrolled in out-of-home day care has increased dramatically. One of the concerns expressed about the use of day care is the contribution of group settings to childhood morbidity. Children who are placed in groups of other children experience more illnesses than their peers who remain at home. However, disease transmission can be minimized by infection control behaviors. Unfortunately, day-care staff and parents are often inadequately prepared in such behaviors. Consequently, by becoming involved in day care, nurses can play a role in reducing the number of day-care-related illnesses.