Children are carriers of viral and bacterial diseases. An inevitable factor that must never be underestimated in nursery schools and kindergartens.
In these environments, in fact, there is a high concentration of children who interact with each other on a daily basis. Putting toys in the mouth is one of the ways that the baby or toddler uses to discover the world. An experience impossible to repress just like the "theft" of the pacifier. Furthermore, the child is not yet aware of the hygiene rules necessary to avoid the proliferation of microorganisms. The educator has the task of teaching his little pupil what to do and what to avoid. It takes time, however, to teach:
coughing or sneezing by placing your hand in front of your mouth;
wash your hands frequently;
avoid putting your hands in your mouth, eyes or nose.
Furthermore, doctors always remember that the infection of a virus or bacterium arrives before the manifestation of the first symptoms. Keeping a child at home with a fever or with strange speckles in the body, therefore, is not a solution.
How should those responsible for the safety and hygiene of kindergartens and nursery schools behave? Use the only weapon at their disposal: ensure sanitation and disinfection.
Diseases, especially during the first year of nursery or kindergarten, are quite frequent. This does not necessarily mean that the environment in which students play, eat or do activities every day is dirty.
A baby's immune system is still being formed. This leads it to be more prone to being attacked by viruses, bacteria or microorganisms. It may seem a paradox but this is a thesis that even pediatricians confirm. Being around other children helps to increase the immune system. This is because the human body "learns" to fight viruses and bacteria by creating defenses that will then remain etched in the immunological memory.
The parent, therefore, should not be afraid of a cold or pharyngitis. The symptoms of a disease, of course, should never be underestimated. Shiny eyes and a "runny nose" could be the beginning of an exanthemata’s disease. In the event that an infectious disease is confirmed, the director or kindergarten manager is required to act promptly. Carrying out an extraordinary sanitation of the rooms, calling a professional in the sector, allows you to prevent the infection from spreading.
An effective method of bacteriological or viral prevention is to make parents think. If a child is still convalescing, he must stay at home. This is an important principle for both the sick child and his schoolmates. The immune system that is still fighting an infection is weak and could be subject to worsening. A "relapse" weakens the child's body and forces him to new absences and to take medications. Another factor is related to the environment. If the child is still laden with viruses, he will "infect" the environment again and infect other young pupils. A small illness could turn into an interminable epidemic.
Daycares must be comfortable and guarantee a constant temperature. In kindergartens there is a heater. An element that, especially in private activities, can be combined with an air conditioning or dehumidifier.
This air conditioning system, which can be promoted as an "added value", if it is not properly cleaned could generate epidemics.
It has been proven that infectious diseases of the respiratory system can be transmitted even with a simple cough. Viruses and bacteria, coming out of the sick child's mouth, are captured by the fans of the air conditioning system. Therefore, dirt, mold, spores, bacteria and viruses end up lurking among pipes, channels and batteries.
It is not enough to keep the external grill clean. For effective daily sanitation, maintenance, internal control and cleaning of the entire system is essential. Only in this way will it be possible to demonstrate to parents that their child lives in a healthy environment.
