The Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools Manual informs administrators, childcare providers, caregivers, parents and guardians, and school health staff about specific infectious disease problems they may encounter in the childcare setting or in schools. This manual is designed to provide specific disease prevention and control guidelines which are consistent with the national standards put forth by the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This sixth edition of this manual contains:

  • 47 fact sheets specifically for parents/guardians of childcare and school-aged children.  Each of these are labeled Parent Fact Sheet.
  • 54 technical fact sheets for providers about specific infectious disease problems.  Each of these are labeled Technical Fact Sheet.

Some technical fact sheets indicate when immediate action is necessary. Please note that the provider MUST consult with the LOCAL or STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT on the fact sheets labeled "REPORTABLE". 

Table of Contents

Section 1 - Guidelines: Staff and Children 

  1. Exclusion of Ill Persons
  2. Communicable Disease Concerns for Pregnant Women
  3. Human Biting Incidents

Section 2 - Guidelines: Environment 

  1. Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection
  2. Diapering
  3. Food Safety in Childcare Settings and Schools
  4. Pets in Childcare Settings and Schools
  5. Wading Pools

Section 3 - Guidelines: Prevention and Control 

  1. Covering Your Cough
  2. Gloving
  3. Handwashing
  4. Infection Control Guidelines
  5. Misuse of Antibiotics
  6. Safe Handling of Breast Milk

Section 4 - Communicable Disease Reporting 

  1. Communicable Disease Reporting, including
    • Minnesota Reporting Rule
    • Reports from Parents/Guardians or Staff
    • Reports to Local/State Health Department
    • Local/State Health Department Disease
    • Prevention and Control Resources in Minnesota

Section 5 - Communicable Disease Control and Management 

  1. Communicable Disease Control and Management, including
    • Control and Management of Exposures and Outbreaks
    • Reports to Local/State Health Departments
    • Notification of Parents/Guardians and Childcare or School Staff
    • Sample Line List

Section 6 - Communicable Disease Fact Sheets 

Diseases marked REPORTABLE are reportable to a local or state health department in Minnesota

Bed Bugs

Bronchitis, Acute (Chest Cold)/Bronchiolitis) 

Campylobacteriosis

Chest Cold (see Bronchitis, Acute/Bronchiolitis)

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Croup

Cryptosporidiosis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection

Diarrhea (Infectious)

E. coli O157:H7 Infection and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Enteroviral Infection

Fifth Disease

Giardiasia

H1N1 Influenza (see Influenza)

Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) Disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Head Lice 

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Herpes Gladiatorum

Herpes, Oral

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection/AIDS

Impetigo

Influenza - seasonal influenza, H1N1 novel influenza (formerly called swine flu), and influenze-like illness (ILI) 

LaCrosse Encephalitis

Lice (see Head Lice)

Lyme Disease

Measles

Meningococcal Disease

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 

Molluscum Contagiosum 

Mononucleosis

MRSA (see Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Mumps

Norovirus

Parapertussis

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pinworms

Pneumococcal Infection 

Pneumonia

Respiratory Infection (Viral)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection

Ringworm

Roseola

Rotaviral Infection

Rubella (German Measles)

Salmonellosis

Scabies

Shigellosis

Shingles (Zoster)

Staph Skin Infection

Streptococcal Infection (strep throat/scarlet fever)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (see Pneumococcal Infection)
Tuberculosis

Viral Meningitis

Warts

Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)

Diseases marked REPORTABLE are reportable to a local or state health department in Minnesota

Section 7 - Healthcare Provider Evaluation Form 

Section 8 - Immunization Resource 

Section 9 - Minnesota Laws Related to Childcare/Schools 

  • Minnesota Laws Related to Childcare/Schools, including
    • Childcare Licensing
      • Rule 3 – Childcare Center
      • Rule 2 – Family Childcare
    • Minnesota Immunization Laws
    • Communicable Reportable Disease Rule
    • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    • Data Practices Act
    • Wading Pools in Family or Group Family Childcare Homes

Section 10 - Emergency Preparedness 

Section 11 - Glossary 

Section 12 - References 

In 2012 we are going electronic with our Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools manual by maintaining an updated version on our web site. This will allow us to have more frequent updates and provide you with the most current information available on infectious diseases. We are working at providing a vendor link for those who want to order a printed copy of the manual. Keep checking our web site for announcements when this option will become available. Thank you for your interest, support and patience as we transition.

If you are located in one of the following counties, please order your manual by calling the appropriate phone number

Childcare Manual Contacts
County Phone
Ramsey County - St. Paul (651) 266-2400
Olmsted County (507) 328-7437
Scott County (952) 496-8584
Washington County (651) 430-6655

Prepared by: Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department - Epidemiology, with funding support provided by the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support.