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How Asthma-Friendly Is Your Child-Care Setting? Checklist.

By: Staff Writer, Published: 2008-07-24, Parent Category: Asthma

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hildren with asthma need proper support in child-care settings to keep their asthma under control and be fully active. Use the questions below to find out how well your child-care setting assists children with asthma:

Yes	No	1.	Is the child-care setting free of tobacco smoke at all times?
Yes	No	2.	Is there good ventilation in the child-care setting? Are allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse reduced or eliminated? Check if any of the following are present:
				Cockroaches
				Dust mites (commonly found in humid climates in pillows, carpets, upholstery, and stuffed toys)
				Mold
				Pets with fur or feathers
				Strong odors or fumes from art and craft supplies, pesticides, paint, perfumes, air fresheners, and cleaning chemicals
Yes	No	3.	Is there a medical or nursing consultant available to help child-care staff write policy and guidelines for managing medications in the child-care setting, reducing allergens and irritants, promoting safe physical activities, and planning field trips for students with asthma?
Yes	No	4.	Are child-care staff prepared to give medications as prescribed by each child's physician and authorized by each child's parent? May children carry their own asthma medicines when appropriate? Is there someone available to supervise children while taking asthma medicines and monitor correct inhaler use?
Yes	No	5.	Is there a written, individualized emergency plan for each child in case of a severe asthma episode (attack)? Does the plan make clear what action to take? Whom to call? When to call?
Yes	No	6.	Does a nurse, respiratory therapist, or other knowledgeable person teach child-care staff about asthma, asthma management plans, reducing allergens and irritants, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all the children about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?
Yes	No	7.	Does the child-care provider help children with asthma participate safely in physical activities? For example, are children encouraged to be active? Can children take or be given their medicine before exercise? Are modified or alternative activities when medically necessary?)

If the answer to any question is "no," children in your child-care setting may be facing obstacles to controlling their asthma. Uncontrolled asthma can hinder a child's attendance, participation, and progress in school. Child-care staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and promote children's health and development.

DiSCLAIMER: The content of this site is offered as educational material for parents, not as medical advice. If you have a question about a specific condition or symptom your child has then you need to consult a medical professional.

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