Your baby is likely to catch more bugs when they are clustered with others. Here’s how to prevent it…

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For many working parents who aren’t lucky enough to have their babies cared for loved ones care for at home, infantcare centres are an answer.

You can also enrol your child who is between the ages of 2 and 18 months at an infantcare centre, which offers half- and full-day services from morning till about 7pm. The centre’s caregivers will oversee your child’s feeding, bathing and napping needs until you swing by to pick them up at the end of the day.

Besides minding your kewpie’s basic needs, these centres also offer activities to boost your child’s emotional and physical development, such as:

* Singing and storytelling Infantcare staff will sing or play lullabies and other nursery rhymes to your child to create a soothing environment.

Do also keep in mind that when a group of children spend a lot of time together in close proximity, you can expect a higher chance that your little one might pick up an infection.

* Physical play Supervise their use of equipment such as cruising bars, floor mats, gym blocks, push cars, see-saws and balls to enhance their physical development and motor skills.

* Sensory appreciation Your child will also have the opportunity to go out for fresh air or play in the school’s mini-garden. This way, junior will get the chance to explore their surroundings using their senses of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing.

However, do also keep in mind that when a group of children spend a lot of time together in close proximity, you can expect a higher chance that your little one might pick up an infection. So, follow these tips to ensure your mini-me stays healthy in infantcare:


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1) Carry out daily checks to ensure that your child is well
Check bubba yourself before dropping them off at the centre, so that you’ll be able to treat the ailment immediately. Start by taking your child’s temperature daily and if they are running a slight fever, bring them to a doctor immediately to sort it out.

If your child is indeed unwell, notify the centre, so that they can take steps to disinfect any toy, eating utensil or objects handled by your child, to contain the spread of any virus or bacteria.

2) Ask the centre about their hygiene practices
Before you sign your child up for infantcare, it’s best to tour the centre, so you can check out its facilities as well as interact with the staff members. After all, they are the same people your child will be seeing for the better part of the day.

Kinderland’s assistant manager of nutrition, health and hygiene, Kua Jo Ann, says you should ask the staff at the centre…

* How often is thorough cleaning and disinfection done at the centre?

* What sort of cleaning agents do they use?

* How often are the toys disinfected?

* What types of communal toys are provided for the children and are they washable or sanitised?

The centre should have other standard operating procedures such as wearing disposable gloves to deal with soiled clothing and treating wounds, Kua notes. “Proper daily measures should also include screening your little one daily upon arrival by taking their temperature and performing visual or physical checks for any unusual signs of an infection.”

You should also take note of the children-to-teacher ratio at the centre. Needless to say, the fewer children each teacher has to manage means your child enjoys more personalised care, too.

Use baby-friendly cleaning supplies which are gentler on their skin but still packs a punch when it comes to its cleaning abilities.

3) Keep your home clean
Kua points out that staff members at Kinderland are trained to follow stringent hand-washing procedures. “Staff members have to scrub their hands for at least 10 seconds and abide by the stipulated situations where hand washing and sanitising are necessary.”

These include: After using the toilet, after any outdoor activity, before eating or drinking and after coming into contact with a sick child. You should also do the same at home and adopt proper hygiene habits.

Also, keeping your home clean and organised helps a build-up of dust, dirt and germs. Use baby-friendly cleaning supplies as these are gentler on your kewpie’s skin but still packs a punch when it comes to its cleaning abilities.

4) Ensure a your little one has a balanced diet and physical exercise
Making sure your child has the right nutrition, adequate sleep, and enough physical activity as they grow is the best way to ensure that they stay healthy. Establishing a good napping routine daily for your peewee and making sure he sticks to it also ensures that your child is alert and playful when he is awake.

Photos: iStock

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