Ways to Prevent Diarrheal Illness From Spreading at Child Care and Preschool

Follow strict illness exclusion policies

• Children with diarrhea, vomiting, or fever need to stay home until recovered.
• Children or staff diagnosed with certain diarrheal illnesses are subject to additional exclusions from child care or preschool settings.
  • Specific Disease Exclusion Guidelines for Child Care and Preschool
    Children or staff with infectious diarrhea are subject to certain exclusions from child care or preschool settings.
  • During illness outbreaks additional exclusions may apply.

Wash hands

• Use soap and warm running water for 20 seconds.
• Monitor young children to ensure adequate handwashing.
• Wash hands frequently, especially after handling diapers, before preparing food or feeding, and before eating.
  • Hand Hygiene

Clean

• Clean and sanitize toys, objects, and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
• Clean and disinfect diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled.
• Water tables and other sensory tables can spread illness when children’s hands contaminate the water or play materials. Have children wash hands before and after playing at the tables; handwashing should be supervised to make sure it is done correctly. Clean and sanitize tables regularly. During illness outbreaks it may be prudent to close water tables until the outbreak is over.

Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Children: Information for Child Care Providers (PDF) A poster for preschool and child care providers to educate on vomiting, diarrhea, and proper disease reporting.