American Public Health Association/American Academy of Pediatrics National Health and Safety Guidelines for Child-Care Programs: Featured Standards and Implementation

Abstract

In response to the potential for illness and injury in group care for children and a growing need for national guidance on health and safety aspects of child care, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed national health and safety guidelines for child-care programs. This collaborative effort culminated in the publication, Caring for Our Children—National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs.1 The APHA/AAP guidelines address the following technical content areas: • environmental quality; • prevention and control of infectious diseases; • injury prevention and control; • general health; • nutrition; • prevention and management of child abuse; • staff health; • children with special needs; • health concerns related to social environment and child development; • health and safety organization and administration. While all of these content areas are important in terms of health and safety, some tend to receive more attention. Certain standards in each of the featured content areas are highlighted on the basis of the perceived significance to care givers and health professionals; the reflection of new knowledge and state of the art; possible controversy; on considerations for implementation. HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT This technical area describes the standards on social environment and child development in the service of promoting physical and mental health. One of the most substantial achievements was to describe the qualifications, numbers, and availability of adults caring for young children in out-of-home settings.1 The National Research Council in its report, Who Cares for America's Children?