As the weather gets cooler, cold and flu season starts to circle back in. At The Gingerbread House, we know how important it is to support children in staying healthy. A strong immune system plus good hygiene habits help protect little ones, their families, and the whole daycare community. Here are some tips, with what we do at daycare and what parents can do at home.
What We Teach at The Gingerbread House
At The Gingerbread House, teachers build healthy habits into everyday routines so that hygiene becomes second nature. Some of the ways we do this:
- Handwashing routines: We teach children to wash hands often: before and after snack and meals, after using the restroom, after playing outdoors, and whenever hands are dirty. We follow the CDC’s steps: wet, lather (including backs of hands and between fingers), scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse, then dry. We even make it fun by using songs or timers so kids know how long to scrub.
- Covering coughs & sneezes: Teachers show children how to cough or sneeze into their elbow (or a tissue) rather than their hands. Tissues go in the trash, and then hands are washed. This helps reduce spread of germs.
- Keeping sick children at home: If a child has a fever, or is showing flu or cold symptoms, we ask parents to keep them home until they are fever-free (without meds) and generally improving. This helps protect other children and allows the sick child to rest and recover. (CDC)
- Clean surfaces and toys: We regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items. Toys that are mouthed are sanitized or rotated so kids aren’t always touching the same thing without cleaning.
- Encouragement & reinforcement: We praise kids for washing hands well, remind them gently when needed, and make the process visible (posters, signs in bathrooms, etc.). Children often learn best by seeing adults do these things too.
What Parents & Families Can Do at Home
Helping at home is a big part of keeping your child’s immune system strong and reducing spread of illness. Here are practical, everyday strategies:
- Get the flu vaccine: The flu vaccine is the most effective tool for preventing flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months old and older get a seasonal flu shot each year.
- Practice handwashing with the same steps: Use warm or cold running water, soap, lather fully (don’t forget backs of hands, between fingers, under nails), scrub 20 seconds (a good timer or song helps), rinse and dry. If soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or more) can be used.
- Teach and model covering coughs and sneezes: Cough into elbow or shoulder, or use a tissue, then wash hands. Show children how to do this by example. It becomes a habit if adults do it too.
- Stay home when sick: If someone in the family is ill, especially with fever, vomiting, or heavy symptoms, stay home, rest, and follow medical advice. Keep children away from others until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.
- Healthy lifestyle habits: Restful sleep, good nutrition (fruits, vegetables, proteins), plenty of fluids, and regular physical activity all help the immune system. Avoiding stress, keeping routines consistent, and providing a calm, supportive home environment make a difference.
- Clean high-touch surfaces: At home, wipe down doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, tablet/phone screens—especially if someone has been sick. Shared items like toys should be cleaned regularly.
- Limit exposure when necessary: If there’s a known flu outbreak, avoid large crowds, consider masking in certain situations, and reduce close contact with those who are ill. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth since germs can enter through those routes.
Why These Habits Make a Difference
- Reduces spread of germs: colds and flu spread easily among young children. Good hygiene (handwashing, coughing etiquette) cuts down germ transmission.
- Supports immune strength: vaccination plus healthy sleep, nutrition, and rest all give the body better tools to fight infection.
- Promotes consistency: when kids learn the same habits both at daycare and at home, it reinforces the behavior. It becomes natural rather than something taught only in one place.
- Better outcomes: fewer sick days for children, less worry for parents, safer environment for children with weaker immune systems or chronic conditions.
Quick Checklist for Parents
Here are a few things families can check and do each day:
- Did your child get a flu shot this year (if age-eligible)?
- Do they wash hands before leaving home, after arriving, before eating, after bathroom, after playing outside?
- Do they cover coughs/sneezes properly?
- Is home sufficiently stocked with tissues, soap, hand sanitizer?
- Is there enough sleep, healthy food, and fluids?
- Are shared surfaces and frequently touched items cleaned regularly?
At The Gingerbread House, keeping your child healthy is one of our top priorities. By working together, we can build strong immune defenses and good habits that protect everyone. If you ever have questions about these practices, or want ideas for helping your child stay well, we’re here for you!