Flu season is in full swing across Ohio, and keeping children healthy is a shared responsibility between families and daycare centers. Young children are especially susceptible to seasonal illnesses due to close contact, developing immune systems, and shared spaces—making prevention and early action essential.
At Early Steps Learning Center, the health and well-being of children, staff, and families are a top priority. Here are practical flu-season safety measures, and ways families and daycares can work together to protect children.
Why Flu Prevention Matters in Daycare
Daycare environments naturally involve close interaction—children play, eat, and learn together. While this fosters development, it can also allow germs to spread quickly. Flu symptoms in children may include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, vomiting, or diarrhea. Preventing illness helps:
-
Protect children’s health
-
Reduce absenteeism
-
Keep classrooms safely open
-
Support a consistent daily routine
Safety Measures ESLC Takes
At ESLC, we follow proactive practices to reduce the spread of illness:
-
Enhanced Cleaning and Hygiene: Regular disinfecting of classrooms, toys, and high-touch surfaces; frequent handwashing routines; and age-appropriate hygiene education.
-
Daily Health Monitoring: Staff watch for signs of illness, care for symptomatic children separately, and notify families promptly.
How Families Can Help
Families play a key role in preventing flu:
-
Keep children home if they have fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe cough, flu-like symptoms, rashes, or lice.
-
Communicate openly with the daycare about any illness.
-
Allow children time to rest and recover at home to prevent spreading germs.
Choosing a Safe Daycare
When selecting a daycare, families should look for:
-
Clear illness and exclusion policies
-
Consistent cleaning and hygiene practices
-
Open communication with families
-
A caring, responsive approach to children’s well-being
At ESLC, safety is a daily priority. With nearly 23 years of experience, we are committed to caring for children academically, emotionally, and physically.
Working Together for a Healthy Environment
Flu season can be challenging, but by staying informed, following health guidelines, and maintaining open communication, families and daycares can keep children healthy and thriving.
For questions about our health policies or enrollment, reach out to us.
We’re here to partner with families every step of the way.
