How Asthma/Allergy Friendly Is Your Child-Care Setting?

Take Our Quiz!

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

1. Is the child-care setting free of tobacco smoke at all times? Yes or No
   
   
2. Is there good ventilation in the child-care setting? Are allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse reduced or eliminated? Yes or No
   
   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

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 or 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 or allergy medicines when appropriate? Is there someone available to supervise children while taking asthma medicines and monitor correct inhaler use? Yes or 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 or 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 or 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 available when medically necessary?) Yes or No

If the answer to any question is "no," children in your child-care setting may be facing obstacles to controlling their asthma or allergies. Uncontrolled asthma or allergies 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.

For more, please visit the Asthma and Allergy Centers.

Some of the above information has been provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/)
Last Editorial Review: 8/9/2006