Considerations for Selecting an "Asthma Friendly" Child Care Center

Activities

• Are any of the scheduled activities potentially harmful to your child?
  • Painting and other arts & crafts materials, etc.
  • Field trips to zoos, parks, etc.
• Does an alternative activity plan exist?

Cleanliness

• How much can you minimize exposure to dust mites, mold, and other asthma triggers?
  • The child care center should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.

Furnishings & Carpeting

• Is the flooring hardwood or tile vs. carpet?
  • Carpets can have dust mites and mold.

Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation

• Has the child care center taken steps to make the indoor environment "asthma friendly?"
  • No smoking, no perfumes, no strong odors, etc.
  • The center should have adequate ventilation to remove "triggers" from the air.
  • The ventilation system should adequately control temperature and moisture levels in the center.

Location

• What businesses or other things located near the child care center may affect your child's asthma?
  • Nearby businesses may be emitting strong odors or diesel emissions, etc.

Medical Knowledge & Awareness

• Does the staff have the knowledge of asthma and training on how to respond to an asthma episode?
• Is the staff willing to learn more about asthma if needed?

Outdoor Air Quality

• Has the child care center taken steps to make the outdoor environment "asthma friendly"?
  • The children's outdoor play area should be kept free of flowers, grass clippings, compost, etc.
  • In the fall, the children's outdoor play area should be kept free of leaves.

Planning & Preparation

• Does the child care center have a written plan in place to create an "asthma friendly" environment for your child?

Teamwork & Communication

• Is the child care center willing to work with you to create an "asthma friendly" environment?
• Will the center communicate effectively with you to make you aware of any potential problems your child may be experiencing?
  

Minnesota State Guidelines:

Standard practice recommendations/mandates for supporting a child with asthma within the child care environment:

1. Licensed Centers:

As required by MN legislative guidelines (Rule 3):

• Must have parent authorization to administer any medications.
• Medication must be in its original container with current dosage instructions labeled.
• A care plan must be in place with details as to what symptoms the child may present, specific directions on how the caregiver should respond, side effects of the medication, emergency contacts, etc.
• Emergency Care Plan indicating what symptoms the child presents which would indicate an emergency and the steps the provider should take to respond. And if on a field trip the emergency care plan is taken with the provider and any mediation which would need to be administered in routine and/or emergency.
• The provider needs to document date, time, route and type of medication when giving any medications.
• All medication must be out of reach/preferably locked up.

2. Standard Practices/Best Practices:

• Statewide MN Child Care Health Consultants recommend that no medications (over-the-counter and/or prescriptions) be administered without a doctor/nurse practitioner order.
• Any medication order changes need to be ordered through the doctor/nurse practitioner.
• Medication dosages should be reviewed by the doctor/nurse practitioner at least every 6 months and documented as done.
• Providers should be trained on how to safely administer medications, including the use and care of the equipment (i.e. nebulizer, epi pen and hand washing, etc.).

3. Licensed Family-based, unlicensed family-based and school age care

• There are no legislative mandates, however, it is recommended the above two standards be followed.