Letter from the Director!

Flu season is in full affect! We already have one confirmed case in the center. This is a virus that can spread fast and is highly contagious in a child care setting. At Delaware Child Development, we take the risk of flu very seriously and expect parents to do the same to help prevent the flu virus from spreading through our center.

If you or your child are experiencing any signs of the flu, please keep your child home until after 24 hours without symptoms. If teachers contract the flu, this could cause a lack of child care providers. When a child arrives at child care, if he/she is suspected of having the flu due to obvious flu related symptoms, the teacher will call the parent to pick up the child. If the parent cannot pick up within 30 minutes, then the next emergency contact will be called to pick up. We have to do all we can to protect the health of the other children, and the teachers and their families as well. If you are asked to pick your child up for illness, we ask that you take your child to the doctor and be tested. If your child is positive for flu, follow the doctor’s recommendation. Typically, this is 5-7 days out of child care and symptom free.

Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal flu, thousands of children are hospitalized, and some children die from the flu. Children commonly need medical care because of flu, especially children younger than five years old. Children younger than five years old, especially those younger than two years old, are at high risk of developing serious flu related complications. Vaccinations offer the best defense against flu and its potentially dangerous serious consequences. Vaccinations can reduce the spread of flu to others. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work, school days, and the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children. Flu is nothing to underestimate. Influenza is dangerous for children. Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children.

People experiencing these warning signs should obtain medical care right away: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, ribs pulling in with each breath, chest pain, severe muscle pain, dehydration, not alert or interacting when awake, seizures, fever of 101 degrees or higher, fever in any infant, and fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens. Worsening of chronic medical conditions are emergency worthy of going to the doctor or hospital.

Complications from flu among young children in this age group can include pneumonia, dehydration, and long-term medical problems like heart disease, asthma, brain dysfunction, sinus problems, and ear infections. In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death. Flu seasons vary in severity; however, every year children are at risk.

Our teachers are disinfecting with bleach and Clorox spray multiple times a day and using good hand washing practices to prevent the spread of flu. Please do your part and stay home if you are sick—and keep your children home if they are. Thank you, and God bless.

I hope for a happy and healthy New Year!

Thank you,

Tina McClintic

DCDC Bartlesville Director