Infection Control in Child Care
Germs spread quickly where children play in close quarters. Here is how handwashing, cleaning, and exclusion policies limit illness.
Updated
This guide is informational and is not professional advice.
Category: safety-and-health · Updated 2026
Germs spread quickly where children live and play in close quarters, and young children put hands and toys in their mouths. Child care programs are expected to maintain routines that reduce the spread of illness, from handwashing to cleaning and immunization checks. Understanding these routines helps families ask better questions and know what a good program looks like.
Handwashing and hygiene
Children and staff should wash hands at key moments: arrival, before and after eating, after diapering or toileting, and after outdoor play. Diapering areas should be separate from food areas and cleaned after each change. Ask how toys are cleaned and how often, because shared toys can carry germs.
Cleaning and disinfection
A regular cleaning schedule should cover floors, surfaces, bathrooms, cribs, and high chairs. Bodily fluids should be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant, and staff should use gloves. Ask what products the program uses and how it handles an outbreak of a contagious illness.
Immunization and exclusion
Programs generally require proof of immunization or an exemption, and they exclude children who are too ill to participate or who pose a risk to others. Exclusion rules should be clear and applied consistently. See Illness Policies and Sick-Child Care.
What to ask
- How often are toys and surfaces cleaned?
- What immunization documentation do you require?
- When are children sent home, and when may they return?
- How do you notify families of an outbreak?
Sources: CDC; ChildCare.gov; state child care licensing agencies.
Related guides
- Illness Policies and Sick-Child Care
- Preventing Falls and Injuries in Child Care
- Medication and Allergy Safety in Child Care
- Understanding State Child Care Licensing and Quality Ratings
Frequently asked questions
Will my child get sick more in child care?
What immunizations are required?
Can my child attend with a cold?
How are outbreaks handled?
Data sources
ChildCare.gov · ChildCare.gov state licensing directory. This guide is informational and is not professional advice. Data as of 2026-10-07.
Required disclosures
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