Key Questions

• Does the program currently have children with allergies, asthma, or chronic conditions in their care?



• If not, do caregivers seem willing and able to learn new skills that might be required to work with your child?


• Does the program have access to child care health consultants or other experts to train or coach caregivers on specific medical procedures that your child would need while at the child care program?



Example: Use of epinephrine (Epi- Pen®); insulin monitoring.


• Would any changes in the environment need to be made to accommodate your child?



Examples: Changes in menus, more thorough cleaning, reducing the amount of carpeting, prohibiting pets.


• Does the caregiver conduct a daily health check to make sure children have all necessary medicines and equipment needed for that day?



Example: Nebulizer.


• Does the program provide good care to children who don’t have health problems?



Note: Children who are likely to become seriously ill from common infections (like colds) may not do well in group settings. They may need to be in a very small group (3 or 4 children in a family child care home) or care in their own home (nanny).