Keeping Kids in Child Care Healthy Through the Holidays

The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and plenty of memorable moments — but for families with children in child care, it can also bring more exposure to germs, disrupted routines, and extra stress around keeping everyone healthy.

As a preschool director for more than a decade, I’ve seen how quickly illnesses can spread this time of year. And this Thanksgiving was no different — a stomach bug moved through our community and affected many families in just a few days. Some children bounced back quickly (or never even got sick, while their whole family went down for a few days), while others needed more time to rest. Parents were juggling work and holiday travel, and it was a reminder of something we often forget:

Germs move fast, but good communication, routines, and preventative steps move faster.

Whether your family was impacted or not, experiences like this give us a chance to pause and plan for a healthier season ahead. Here’s how you can help your family stay healthy, comfortable, and confident throughout the holidays — both at home and in their child care program.

In Order to Keep Your Kids Healthy, Understand Your Child Care’s Sick Policy

Every program is a little different, so make sure you know:

• When your child needs to stay home

• How long they must be symptom-free before returning

• What counts as a fever or contagious symptom (for example, prior to Covid the fever policy was 101° but during/after Covid it changed to 100.4°)

• How the school notifies families about illness exposure (parent communication app, a phone call, email, etc.)

During our recent stomach virus wave, one of the most helpful things was clear communication. Families appreciated knowing what symptoms to watch for and when children were able to return. A strong sick policy protects your child and the whole school community.

Ask About Cleaning & Sanitizing Routines

In high-quality programs, cleaning routines often increase during the winter months. Ask your child care provider:

• How often toys and materials are disinfected

• What systems they use to separate clean vs. used toys

• Whether classrooms get extra sanitizing during illness outbreaks (and how that happens)

• What evening deep-cleaning looks like

After the stomach bug, many centers — including mine — enhanced sanitizing schedules to reduce the chances of a repeat wave of illness. Even simple steps like wiping down high-touch areas twice daily can make a huge difference in keeping kids healthy.

Keep Drop-Off Smooth and Emotionally Healthy

Believe it or not, emotional stress affects the immune system — even in toddlers. A calm, predictable drop-off helps your child:

• Regulate emotions

• Transition into their day

• Feel secure during a busy holiday season

Try a simple ritual: Give your child a hug, and use a predictable phrase (“Have a great day, I’ll see you after snack.”) Smile + show confidence (kids read your energy clearly).

When routines get chaotic at home, emotional grounding becomes even more important at school.

Stick to Routines as Much as Possible

The holidays naturally bring late nights, travel, and LOTS of added excitement. Kids feel that shift in their bodies, which can lead to:

• Less sleep

• Extra stress

• Lowered immunity

• More susceptibility to common viruses

Try to keep the “big three” consistent:

• Bedtime

• Mealtime

• Morning routine

Even small pockets of predictability help kids feel safe — which helps keep their bodies healthier.

Know When to Rest — and When to Return

If your child is sick, rest is the best medicine. But once they’re symptom-free and feeling better, getting back into their regular routine supports emotional and physical recovery.

During the Thanksgiving stomach bug wave, families who returned with a solid night or two of rest found that their children eased back into school quickly and more easily.

Work closely with your teachers — they’re your partners in keeping your child comfortable.

Illnesses are a normal part of early childhood, especially during colder months and busy holiday seasons. But with open communication, consistent routines, and a shared commitment to health, we can reduce the impact and keep our little ones thriving.

The stomach bug that moved through our community this Thanksgiving was a reminder of how connected we all are — and how small, proactive steps can make a big difference.

You’re doing an amazing job navigating child care during this busy time. If you ever feel unsure about what to ask or how to advocate for your child, know that you're not alone — and I’m here to support you every step of the way.