Health and Safety

Young girl washing her hands at a sink with the help of a woman standing behind her.

Health and safety is the foundation of quality for your child care program. IdahoSTARS can support your child care program with implementing current recommended health, safety and nutrition practices.

To access your local Child Care Health Consultant contact your local Child Care Resource Center.

Recommended Practices

children holding hands.

Choose Safe Places

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is developing a voluntary program that encourages informed choices about where to locate early care and education sites. The mission of the Choose Safe Places (CSP) program, is to support childcare providers in selecting safe locations for new facilities by increasing awareness of potential environmental concerns.

Abusive Head Trauma Prevention

Babies Cry! Have a Plan!

Mother soothing a crying baby.
Mother breastfeeding her young son.

Breastfeeding in Child Care

Human milk is the developmentally appropriate food for infants. Child Care programs should be trained to prepare and serve human milk, and advocate and support breastfeeding mothers.

Emergency Preparedness

Child care programs must be prepared for potential disasters. Every child care program should have a clearly outlined emergency and disaster plan. All program staff should be trained in emergency preparedness and prepared to respond during a disaster.

YIKES Planning Guide for Emergency Response Planning in Child Care PDF

Cover of Yikes Planning Guide for Emergencies.
Hypodermic needle in vial laying on Child Care Immunization Record.

Managing Infectious Diseases

Take the necessary steps to reduce the spread of illness and disease in your child care program.

Safe Sleep

Newborn sleeping alone in a crib on his back.
Cover of Caring for Our Children Performance Standards.

National Health
and Safety Performance Standards

Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs; 3rd Edition