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Swine Flu (H1N1) and Child Care: Resources to Help You Prepare for, Plan and Respond to a Possible Outbreak

This page was last updated on September 10, 2009 at 11:38 am.

A dangerous form of the flu virus, know as swine flu or H1N1, continues to spread throughout the United States. More than 2000 confirmed or probable cases of the virus have been reported from 44 states. As parents, providers, and child care professionals, it is particularly important that we prepare and plan for a potential swine flu outbreak. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the illness and often times experience serious complications. Consequently, it is important that we protect the children in child care centers, family child care homes and schools, as they accommodate a large proportion of our young children.

To help you prepare for, plan and respond to a possible swine flu outbreak, NACCRRA has compiled the following resources for your use:

General Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has general information on swine flu; up-to-date information on reported swine flu cases and deaths; resources, guidance and tips on how to stay healthy, widgets for placement on your Web site, and other information.

News from HHS & CDC: (As of August 31, 2009)

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Acting CDC Director Dr. Richard Bessner announced a revised policy with regard to school and child care closures. With a week's worth of more information about the strain of swine flu and precautions to contain it, HHS & CDC no longer are recommending school and child care closures in the event of a laboratory-confirmed case (or cases) of swine flu. Click here for more details.

• Questions and Answers about CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for Grades K-12 during the 2009-2010 School Year,
• Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius and Acting CDC Director Dr. Besser About the Change in CDC's School and Child Care Closure Guidance,
• CDC's Analysis of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) and Implications for School Dismissal Policy, 5/4/09 (16 KB)
• HHS Secretary Sebelius and DHS Secretary Napolitano on the World Health Organization's Decision to Declare the Novel H1N1 Virus Outbreak a Pandemic
• Regional Emergency Support Function 15 - External Affairs Update Influenza A (H1N1) - Swine Flu (91 KB)

Information for Caregivers of Young Children

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed guidelines for how child care providers in all settings can help prevent the spread of swine flu. Note: Conditions and situations are changing rapidly and the recommendations could change over time.
• The CDC has also developed : guidelines for school (K-12) and Child Care Facilities in Response to Swine Flu Virus.
• The CDC has also developed a fact sheet entitled Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs (25 KB) that can be posted in child care settings or distributed to parents.
• The CDC has developed a Q&A for caregivers that addresses the most commonly asked questions regarding swine flu such as: What is swine flu; What are the symptoms; How can one keep from getting it; etc.
• The CDC has also developed a publication entitled Getting Prepared for a Flu Pandemic: A Planning Kit for Child Care Providers, which gives providers the tools and resources to plan, prepare and respond to a flu pandemic. Coming soon!
• NACCRRA has developed a resource for child care providers entitled Nurturing Children After Disasters: A Booklet for Child Care Providers to help them plan and prepare for general disasters.
• The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) has developed a checklist entitled Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (PDF) to help child care programs prepare for the effects of a flu pandemic.
• The CDC also developed a document entitled Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Child Care Settings: Guidance for Administrators, Care Providers, and Other Staff that explains specific ways in which individuals working in child care settings can prevent the spread of the flu.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed a document entitled Preventing the Flu in 2008-2009: Strategies and Resources for Child Care Providers and Out-of-Home Caregivers of Children (PDF) that provides practical advice on how to prevent the flu in child care settings.

Information for Caregivers of School-Age Children

• The U.S. Department of Education has developed a document entitled H1N1 Flu & U.S. Schools: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (PDF). This document provides information for school leaders on appropriate measures to take to prevent the spread of the swine flu virus.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed guidelines on dismissal for children in grades K-12 in the event a child becomes infected with swine flu.

Information for Parents

• Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu this School Year ,
• Action Steps for Parents if School is Dismissed or Children are Sick and Must Stay Home ,
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a Guide for Parents that addresses the most commonly asked questions regarding swine flu such as: What is swine flu; What are the Symptoms; How can one keep from getting it; etc.
• The CDC has also developed information for concerned parents on how to talk to their children about swine flu.
• The National Association of School Nurses has developed a resource entitled Talking to Children About Swine Flu (H1N1): A Parent Resource (PDF) on how to talk to children about swine flu.
• The National Parent Teachers Association (PTA) has developed a tip sheet for parents regarding the swine flu (82 KB).
• NACCRRA has developed a brochure for parents entitled What's the Plan that provides parents with the proper questions to ask to a child care provider to ensure children are safe during disasters.
• The U.S. Department of Education has developed a video for parents entitled Preparing for Pandemic Flu: A Family Checklist Video that defines the four flu variations and suggests things parents can do to prepare for it. (Note: to see this video, your computer must have Real Player, which is free from Real)