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Resources and information for child care professionals |
Children, especially children under the age of five years, may spend as much time in their childcare setting as they do in their own home. Children who have asthma are likely to be exposed to triggers similar to those at home, but are also likely to be exposed to more upper respiratory illnesses and may be exposed to animals that are not found in their own home.
The childcare provider can become an essential partner in the asthma management team by:
- Participating in continuing education programs designed to increase knowledge about asthma and asthma management.
- Recognizing symptoms of asthma in children who have not been diagnosed and discuss concerns with parents.
- Establishing policies and routines that provide for safe administration of medications to children.
- Considering adapted outdoor activities during high pollen or high pollution (inversion) days.
- Examining the physical environment for factors that may contribute to asthma symptoms and make efforts to change those factors.
- Working collaboratively with parents and healthcare providers to establish and follow a plan for minimizing symptoms and responding to symptoms when they occur.
- Child Care Health Program
Public Health - Seattle & King County
The Childcare Health Program offers health promotion and disease prevention services to child care facilities throughout Seattle and King County.
- "How Asthma-Friendly is Your Childcare Setting?"
National Heart Lung Blood Institute
A checklist in a scorecard format that can be used by parents, teachers, and school nurses to help pinpoint specific areas that may cause problems for children with asthma - available in English and Spanish.
- Childcare Asthma/Allergy Action Card
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
A guide for caring for a child with these diseases.
- Air Quality Information
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Information including the quality of air now and forecasted.
- Your local pollen count
The Weather Channel
Get your local pollen forecast for any U.S. city or zip code.
- Your local pollen count in Seattle
Asthma and Allergy Northwest
- Childcare Center
Asthma and Allergy Network/Mothers of Asthmatics
A resource for parents of children with asthma.
- Asthma & Allergy Essentials for Child Care Providers
An educational program from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Contact Penny Nelson, Washington Chapter, 206-368-2866 or e-mail aafawa@aafawa.org |
