Come Grow with Us Manual

Parents, child care providers and the York Region Community and Health Services Department all have the same goal: to ensure that our children are well cared for in a safe and healthy environment. The Come Grow with Us Manual is a resource to assist child care providers in their role in achieving this goal. It is not intended to provide legal or medical advice. Please read our disclaimer for full details on the conditions for use of this manual.

Each section provides general information, several "tips for success", and forms which may be downloaded and printed or photocopied. Links to resource materials and website links relevant to each topic are also included. Phone numbers of additional resource materials and services are in the Community Resources section.

Notification of updates to the manual and quarterly newsletters can be automatically received by inserting your email address in the Come Grow with Us E-Bulletin subscription box at the top of the landing page.

Please email your questions or comments about the Come Grow with Us Manual to ComeGrowWithUs@york.ca or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

In this manual, you will find information on the following topics:

Immunization
Preventing the spread of infection
Illness
Creating a safe environment; indoor and outdoor
First Aid and Emergency Procedures
Nutrition
Food safety
Dental
Mental Health
Healthy Sexuality

1. Health records for children and staff
In Chapter 1, you'll find information on the following topics: Health history Immunization Medication and treatment Staff immunization and staff health Sample forms for collecting the following (reference use only): Children's immunization records Scheduled medication/treatment records Emergency information and health history Consent to obtain medical care on behalf of the child Medication/treatment for emergencies or special circumstances Health assessment for child care staff and volunteers	Related Resources A Parent's Guide to Immunization and Communicable Diseases Yellow Immunization record Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Vaccine fact sheets in other languages
2. Preventing the spread of infection
In Chapter 2, you will find information on the following topics: Handwashing Diaper changing Cleaning and disinfection Potty chairs and toilet inserts Toiletry and personal items Cribs and other items used for sleeping Sensory play tables Pets	Related Resources Child care centre inspection report Pets In Your Centre Protecting yourself against rabies Visiting Animals in Public Settings Correct Handwashing procedures Recommended Diaper Change Procedure Toileting Routine When to wash your hands How to correctly use hand sanitizer Craft Materials Toy Cleaning And Disinfection Water Play Tables Disinfecting in a childcare facility
3. Illness in your centre
In Chapter 3, you will find information on the following topics: Signs of physical illness Outbreak control measures Influenza pandemic Preparing for a pandemic HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Exposure to blood borne infections	Related Resources Enteric Outbreak Control Guidelines for Child Care Centres Recommended Policy for Ill Children in child Care Recommended Policy For Ill Staff In Child Care Reportable Disease List Guidelines for common communicable diseases Guidelines and information on childhood communicable diseases Emergency Planning checklists Hepatitis B fact sheet Hepatitis C fact sheet HIV and AIDS fact sheet Handling Blood and Bodily Fluids The Facts of Lice If You Find a Needle Ontario Health Plan for an influenza pandemic (2008)
4. Creating a safe environment indoors and outdoors
In Chapter 4, you'll find information on the following topics: Hazardous substances (poisonous plants, pesticides, common hazardous substances in your centre) Pesticides Smoke-free environments Sun safety Safe water Cold weather protection Protection from smog West Nile Virus protection Child care safety check Car seat and booster seat safety Pedestrian and sidewalk safety Cycling safety Playground safety Fire safety	Related Resources Kids that Click booster seats Buying a car seat; Chinese; Farsi; Urdu; Punjabi; Tamil; Russian Installing & using your car seat properly; Chinese; Farsi; Urdu; Punjabi; Tamil; Russian Keeping your home safe checklist; Chinese; Farsi; Urdu; Punjabi; Tamil; Russian Sample child safety product list Keeping your kids safe on scooters Playground safety Cold weather reference list It's your head, use it! Play pools Sandbox safety Beach water safety Emergency water treatment What to do when you have no water Extreme Heat Your health and your water cooler Playground � danger of strangulation How to protect yourself from West Nile virus 20/20 Planner: The Way To Clean Air Air Quality Health Index web resources Air Quality Health Index Spin Wheel (upon order) Smog Advisory Today: Why should I care? Smoke free Ontario Act 2005 Promoting sun safety resource list Promoting sun safety resource order form Sunsense Sunsense fortune teller Teaching pre-schoolers SUN SAFE play, everyday! Website Resources
5. First aid and emergency
In Chapter 5, you'll find information on the following topics: Policies and procedures for emergency situations First aid and emergency services Routine practices to prevent or reduce the transmission of disease Anaphylaxis	Related Resources How to correctly use hand sanitizer Ontario Poison Centre: Plant Safety Ontario Poison Centre: Poison-proof your home Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
6. Healthy eating
In Chapter 6, you'll find information on the following topics: Feeding breastmilk, formula or milk Feeding solid foods to infants Serving sizes for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children Planning healthy meals and snacks Choking prevention	Related Resources One week menu planning form for child care One week planning form for before and after school programs Choking prevention tips Canada's Food Guide Weaning your breastfeeding child Expressing your breastmilk Storing expressed breastmilk Nutrition fact sheets
7. Food safety
In Chapter 7, you'll find information on the following topics: Time and temperature control Cross-contamination Preventing food-borne illness Rodent and insect control Allergy prevention Food service tips Glove use for the food handler	Related Resources Food from an approved source Safety tips for operators during a power failure Dishwashing � 2 sink method Dishwashing � 3 sink method Food Safety fact sheets
8. Dental health
In Chapter 8, you'll find information on the following topics: Importance of baby teeth Teething Oral hygiene care Pacifiers, thumb and finger sucking Early childhood tooth decay Healthy snacking for healthy teeth Sippy cups First dental visit Fluoride Guidelines for a toothbrushing program Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program Ontario Works (OW) program for dependant children Dental safety Dental emergencies Dental programs Contact information and clinic locations	Related Resources CINOT; Chinese; Punjabi Fluoride use update Authorization for preventative dental program Dental fact sheets
9. Healthy body, healthy mind
In Chapter 9, you'll find information on the following topics: Brain development and early years messages Early identification of developmental lags in children birth to age six Self-esteem Physical activity Bullying Healthy sexuality	Related Resources Developing self esteem in young children Because the Early Years Matter NutriSTEP order form NDDS order form Red Flags guide overview Red Flags guide Nipissing District Developmental Screening website Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP) The first years last forever: how you can make a difference The First Years Last Forever: New Brain Research Best Start by Health Nexus website Zero to Three Website Parents 2 Parents Website
10. Abuse
In Chapter 10, you'll find information on the following topics: Abuse prevention and indicators Neglect Emotional abuse Physical abuse Sexual abuse Witnessing family violence Abuse in children with special needs Dealing with disclosures	Related Resources Prevention of sexual abuse resources Child maltreatment: A "what to do" guide for professionals who work with children Nurturing children How violence affects children York Children's Aid Society website Jewish family and child service website

Community Resources

In the Community Resources section, you will find contact information for services available within the community.

The Come Grow with Us Manual is an education and resource manual and is not to be considered as providing legal or medical advice. Please e-mail your questions or comments about the Come Grow with Us Manual or Newsletter to ComeGrowWithUs@york.ca

Come Grow with Us Manual

1. Health records for children and staff

2. Preventing the spread of infection

3. Illness in your centre

4. Creating a safe environment indoors and outdoors

5. First aid and emergency

6. Healthy eating

7. Food safety

8. Dental health

9. Healthy body, healthy mind

10. Abuse

Community Resources