Child Care Health and Safety
Every day 13 million of our nation's youngest children are dropped off at early care and education centers or family child care homes. Research has established that the majority of child care settings are of poor to mediocre quality and actually compromise children's long-term development.
Assuring the quality of care is a complex issue because of vast differences in regulatory requirements and enforcement practices across the country. Child care is regulated at the state and local levels and often by more than one agency.
The health and safety of children in out-of-home settings depends on the prompt dissemination of new information; training of child care professionals to promote implementation of health and safety standards; and advocacy efforts that strengthen existing state and local health and safety regulations.
Background Documents
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Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs, Second Edition
Full text of 649 standards searchable by keyword. Helpful to providers, parents and policy makers looking at the broad picture of health and safety in child care. -
Stepping Stones to Using Caring for Our Children
233 standards from Caring for Our Children, reviewed by child care experts as having the most effect on preventing harm in child care settings. Available in full text and downloadable. Good starting point for those wanting to comply with the National Standards and improve the quality of their facilities. Also useful to state policy makers and staff wanting to compare their state's regulations with these standards.
Evidence-Based Programs
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Healthy Child Care Colorado Evaluation Report
An evaluation of Child Care Nurse Consultation in Colorado and the impact on health and safety in child care. The evaluation includes the perspectives of child care directors and child care nurse consultants.
Recommended Strategies
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Telling the Healthy Child Care America Story
Making a Positive Difference in the Health of Children in Child Care," is an 8-page publication that highlights some of the many accomplishments of the program, including improving state child care regulations, establishing networks of child care health consultants, and linking families to medical homes. Read about the positive difference the Healthy Child Care America Program is making in the health and safety of children in child care programs across the nation. -
Healthy Child Care America Blueprint for Action
Developed to increase health and child care partnerships, the Blueprint for Action outlines 10 steps to help guide community efforts to improve health and safety in child care.
Related Colorado Programs
Resources