Preventing the spread of illness in early childhood education (childcare) centers depends on how each disease spreads. Some germs spread through the air (such as colds and flu), while others spread by touch (like hand, foot, and mouth disease) or through contaminated surfaces (like norovirus). To maintain the health of children and staff, refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) guidelines on infectious diseases in childcare settings.
Please refer to the infectious disease guidelines and How Sick is too Sick for guidance on exclusion and prevention recommendations. Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs may adopt more stringent guidelines if they believe it is best for their organization.
