Spotlight

Barb Sinner, Barb’s Daycare, West Fargo, ND

Are you interested in health news as it relates to child care? Health Round-Up is a monthly subscription-based newsletter for child care staff, family child care providers, and state-level ECE stakeholders.

Today is Health Equity Day, an opportunity to explore how child care plays an instrumental role in ensuring that all are afforded the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. We know that children’s health is shaped by their environments—where they live, what they eat, how much they play, and if they have access to medical and dental care. We also know that not every child has the same opportunity to grow up healthy.

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, around 6 p.m., a fire was reported under a section of I-85 in Atlanta. The fire ultimately caused a section of the interstate to collapse around 7 p.m., stranding motorists for hours and creating a more than five mile backup of traffic. The mayor has described this event as a ‘transportation crisis’, and this section of the I-85 will remain closed for the foreseeable future. On Thursday evening Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency and vowed to allocate resources aimed to reduce traffic disruption. Luckily no one was injured in the collapse, a testament to the great work of the fire and police departments who responded to the incident and quickly evacuated the area.

Placing your child in another person’s care can be a difficult and emotional decision. When looking for a child care program, your most important consideration is the safety and well-being of your child. Knowing your child will be cared for in a healthy and secure environment that has appropriate safety measures in place is a top priority. Before making a decision about a child care provider, visit several programs and ask questions, including those related to emergency plans.

Family Child Care providers, Child Care Centers and parents should take note—the CDC is investigating a major outbreak of E.coli linked to SoyNut Butter.