Child Care Providers
Pandemic Influenza
A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity. The Department of Health works closely with child care providers and afterschool programs to provide staff and caregivers with continuing access to the best guidance, strategies, practices and tools needed to safeguard the health of Vermont’s children and their own health as well.
It is important that children and adults who show symptoms of flu like illness stay home. Not only so that they may get better, but also to avoid passing any virus on to others.
2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
New Guidance for Child Care and Early Childhood Programs - Flu.gov
New federal guidelines released to help child care and early childhood programs respond to influenza during the 2009–2010 influenza season.
- Child Care and Early Childhood Guidance
- Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Child Care and Early Childhood
- Watch the September 9th Webcast for Parents and Child Care Providers
Information for Childcare Providers
- General Information
- Child care Provider Information from the CDC
- Model Letter from Childcare Providers to Parents
Fact Sheets and Information
- Good Habits Can Help Prevent Swine Flu
- Talking with Children about the New Flu
- Home Isolation - Instructions for Patients & Close Contacts
Preparedness Materials
Posters
Proper Handwashing - Wash your hands often and well. All purpose poster; 8.5 x 11, 348 KB
Achoo! - poster for schools, daycares, etc. on good health manners and respiratory etiquette; 8.5 x 11, 249 KB
Don't Share - poster for offices and other public places on preventing germs from spreading; 8.5 x 11, 236 KB
Planning Checklists
These checklists detail the steps that childcare providers can take to plan for and respond to pandemic flu.
More Resources
Panflu.gov - School Planning
U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information and materials to help local educational agencies with plans to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.
The U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture provide tools to assist schools with disseminating health information, and planning for staff and student absences:
Pandemic Flu: A Planning Guide for Educators
Identifies issues to consider when planning for seasonal flu, a mild or moderate pandemic flu, or a severe pandemic. It tells what a "flu pandemic" is, how influenza spreads, and what can be done to limit spread of the flu.
Guidance for Educators During Severe Pandemic (pdf)
Guidance for educators and school officials focusing on implications of the type of prolonged school closure that is recommended for severe pandemics. Guidance is in question-answer format.