Curriculum for Principles of Infection Control for Childcare Professionals

ELEMENT 1: THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH RECOMMENDED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF INFECTION CONTROL

Element 1 presents a general overview of basic requirements for infection control and prevention in out-of-home child care programs. This section addresses everyone's role in complying with infection control regulations and standards and the consequences of failing to do this.

Upon completion of this element, you will be able to:

  • Describe your role in practicing infection control in the child care setting;
  • List several infection prevention techniques that are required by regulations;
  • Explain why it is important to follow the principles and practices of infection control in your child care program;
  • Discuss what happens if you do not comply with infection control standards.

 

ELEMENT 2: HOW PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS ARE TRANSMITTED IN THE CHILD CARE SETTING AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL

You can learn about and utilize measures to reduce the spread of disease. Epidemiology is the science that explains how diseases spread among groups of people. Understanding the “epidemiology” of a disease is critical for a healthy, safe environment for both the children and staff. This element presents concepts in the epidemiology and prevention of disease transmission in the child care setting.

Upon completion of this element, you will be able to:

  • Describe how pathogenic organisms spread from person to person;
  • Give examples of the factors which influence a person’s susceptibility to infection;
  • Examine strategies to reduce the spread of infectious organisms in the child care setting;
  • Integrate hand hygiene practices and special precautions into your daily work routine to reduce the spread of infection.

 

ELEMENT 3: ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS WHICH REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL IN CHILD CARE SETTINGS

This element of the course presents information on environmental controls, devices, and work practice techniques which significantly reduce your risk of exposure to infection in child care settings.

Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:

  • Summarize characteristics in a child care environment that create an increased risk of exposure to infectious material;
  • Point to engineering controls in the environment that reduce your risk of exposure to infection;
  • Discuss work practices to identify and manage children with contagious disease;
  • Recommend steps to take to remain safe in situations like diapering where there is a risk of transmitting infection.

 

ELEMENT 4: SELECTION AND USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT WORKER CONTACT WITH POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL AND APPLICATION OF STANDARD PRECAUTIONS IN A CHILD CARE SETTING

This section of the course provides greater detail about how you can use protective equipment (such as gloves) in the child care setting as a means of reducing exposure to infectious pathogens.

Upon completion of this element, you will be able to:

  • Define Personal Protective Equipment;
  • Choose the correct personal protective equipment for a work task;
  • State specific circumstances that call for the use of gloves to prevent contact with potentially infectious material;
  • Explain how to properly remove contaminated disposable gloves from your hands;
  • Apply Standard Precautions to daily work tasks.

 

ELEMENT 5: CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILD CARE BY ADHERING TO APPROPRIATE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

Regular and thorough cleaning of the environment can prevent the transmission of diseases in child care settings. This section of the course provides information regarding the proper disinfection of child care equipment and the maintenance of the child care environment.

Upon completion of this element, you will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting an object or surface.
  • Determine if a cleaning product is appropriate to use for items and surfaces.
  • Give examples of items in a child care environment that require disinfection.
  • Summarize the procedure for cleaning spills of blood or body fluids.

 

ELEMENT 6: POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO PREVENT CHILDREN AND STAFF FROM SPREADING AND ACQUIRING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

As a worker in a child care setting, it is important to know about infectious diseases that are common to children in your care. You are expected to be able to identify situations where a child is capable of spreading infection and also know when you or a co-worker require medical attention because of exposure to a potentially dangerous pathogen.

Upon completion of this element, you will be able to:

  • Identify at least two vaccines that are recommended for adult workers in the child care setting;
  • Name five or more communicable diseases that are common in the child care setting;
  • Give two or more examples of situations where a child must be dismissed because of a communicable disease;
  • Explain why it is important for you to report certain diseases to parents and the local health authorities;
  • Recognize the procedure at your facility for handling situations where a staff member requires medical attention after being exposed to a serious infectious disease.