Care of Mildly Ill Children in the Day-Care Setting

Abstract

Out-of-home day-care programs for mildly ill children exist in a majority of states, and 32 states currently license these programs. A small sample of these programs suggests sensitivity to child development, infection control, and financing concerns. Implementation of the new national standards will lead to questions necessitating periodic review and updating of the standards. The care of mildly ill children remains a highly sensitive form of early care and education that requires specialized regulatory attention for the adequate protection of young children. The level of regulatory attention and the method of regulation vary considerably among states with varying degrees of consensus on critical issues. Regulations need to be written to permit some flexibility within a safety zone of acceptable care and infection control. From a child-development perspective, "get-well care" within the child's regular care environment might be optimal. Before this is a reality, however, additional studies are needed to investigate mechanisms that limit the spread of infectious agents, enhance the child's recovery, and assure safe but affordable care. American society must also reflect on their child-care priorities and create more options for parents to care for their ill children at home.