News
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus is in the news. However, the PA Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine emphasizes illness from colds and flu is more likely. More than 45,000 diagnosed cases of flu have been recorded in Pennsylvania since October and no diagnosed cases of the coronavirus have been recorded. To reassure families and staff about the low risk of becoming ill from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in PA, share facts, credible information and updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Website
Human coronaviruses are a family of viruses that commonly cause mild to moderate illness like the common cold. A new human coronavirus, called the 2019 Novel Coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. Symptoms of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Use these additional credentialed sources to share information and updates with families and staff:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children Website
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website
Stay vigilant about infection control practices in your program to reduce spread of all common illnesses. Implement the daily health check recommended in Caring for Our Children Standard 3.1.1.1.
Use the following resources to promote the benefits of good oral health for children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.
-2020 NCDHM Campaign from the American Dental Association (ADA) free materials and downloadable posters and flyers
-2020 Brushing Calendar from the ADA's Mouth Healthy website
From the American Academy of Pediatrics:
-Dental Health & Hygiene for Young Children
-Why Regular Dental Visits Are Important
Oral Health from National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness and Office of Head Start:
-Age 1 Dental Visit
-Checklist for Child Care Staff: Best Practices for Good Oral Health
-Questions to Ask When Looking for a Dental Office
-Getting to Know Me: Information for Your Child’s Dental Office
From the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center:
- Head Start Oral Health Curricula: Choose and Use
-Toothbrushing at the Table video
-Classroom Circle Brushing instructions
ECELS Webinar - Immunization Strategies for Success in Early Care and Education Programs - January 16, 2020. View the recording and submit the evaluation form for professional development credit. Click here for details.
Did you know…
ECELS has valuable tools to help you meet the new STARS Standard LM.2.5 Program uses Caring for Our Children to establish policies and practices regarding care plans for children with special needs, asthma, medical needs, food allergies, and medication administration.
1. Use Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th Ed. form-field version to adapt a policy for your program. See Section 10-Health Plan, items E, F, and Appendix X - Medication Administration Packet. Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th Ed. is consistent with Caring for Our Children, 3rd Ed. online (CFOC3).
2. Use the ECELS Care Plan for Children with Special Needs and Process to Enroll documents.
3. Use the ECELS Self-Learning Module, Children with Medical and Developmental Special Needs, Inclusive Practices to educate staff about caring for children with special needs, using care plans and making adaptations. (2 hours credit)
If you have questions about these tools, please send an email with your contact information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sign-up on this website to receive E-Mail Alerts from ECELS about news or key new postings on this website. Please click on the orange button on the home page to access this function. In addition, child care health consultants have an opportunity to request access to a password-protected site where ECELS is posting lesson plans for qualified instructors. To access this function, select the role "Health Professional, Child Care Health Consultant, Child Care Health Advocate" at the bottom left of the home page, and then click on the button "Health Consultant Registration" for the log-in request. Updated 4/8/14.
Now is a good time to remind infant caregivers of safe sleep recommendations and the prohibition of use of blankets. See the Infant Safe Sleep Recommendations. 11/2019