Utilizing daycare services can provide a practical solution for working parents, ensuring that children receive quality care and attention. However, children in daycare settings may occasionally be more vulnerable to illnesses like respiratory infections.

Why children in daycare are prone to sickness?

The rise of daycare centers can make it easier for working parents to ensure their children receive proper care and social interaction. With daycare, children have a regular schedule of daily activities such as eating, napping, and playing even though they are not under direct parental supervision.

Despite the convenience offered by daycare facilities, there are inherent risks associated with leaving children in such environments. One concern is the increased susceptibility of children to illnesses, leading to more extended recovery periods when they do fall ill.

According to information from the Cleveland Clinic, infectious diseases are common even in meticulously maintained daycare centers. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development highlights that children in daycare settings are more prone to illness compared to those cared for at home, especially until they reach the age of 3.

Several diseases that commonly spread in daycare settings include:

• Common colds and upper respiratory infections
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Gastroenteritis is caused by various viruses and bacteria
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease (Singapore flu)

Several factors contribute to the high rate of transmission and infection in daycare, including:

A child is susceptible to germs in a new environment.

In daycare, children encounter new individuals daily. This interaction heightens the risk of disease transmission through activities like hand contact or exposure to saliva during conversations, coughing, or sneezing. Children typically lack established habits such as thorough handwashing with soap and water or using their elbows to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. When children adopt these healthy practices in their daily routines, their susceptibility to diseases in daycare diminishes.

Developing immune system

A child's immune system is typically developing during preschool or daycare. Over time, the body naturally strengthens its immune defenses against infections. Exposure to germs in daycare settings can serve as a sort of immune system training for children, although not all children respond to this training similarly. Ideally, if there are ill children in daycare, they should be kept separate from healthy children.

How do you keep your child healthy in daycare?

While placing your child in daycare may increase their vulnerability to illnesses, there are several strategies you can employ to safeguard your child's health, including:

• Teaching children to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.
• Providing nutritious foods to boost their immune system.
• Ensuring toys and personal items are kept clean.
• Encourage your child not to suck on their nails or fingers.
• Ensuring your child receives all recommended vaccinations, including flu shots.

You can inform the daycare staff if your child is unwell, so they can separate them from healthy children to prevent the spread of infection. When selecting a daycare, it's important to understand how the facility manages sick children and promotes a clean and healthy environment as part of your decision-making process.

If you have health-related inquiries, please seek a doctor through the health consultation services available on the AI Care application, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the health of women and children? Click here!