Education and Early Childhood Learning

Routine Practices: Guide to Creating a Healthy Environment and Preventing Infections within Child Care Facilities and Schools

Infection prevention and control and public health guidelines have been developed to assist child care facilities, school divisions and funded independent schools in keeping children, students and staff safe in situations where germs can spread. Although public health measures can significantly reduce the risk of spreading communicable diseases like influenza, COVID-19, acute conjunctivitis (pink eye) and gastroenteritis (infectious vomiting and diarrhea), the risk is never zero. The best way to control the spread of disease is by continuing to follow applicable health and safety guidelines, including the implementation of Routine Practices and other infection prevention and control measures, to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of children, students and staff.

Routine Practices: Guide to Creating a Healthy Environment and Preventing Infections within Child Care Facilities and Schools outlines infection prevention and control measures to assist child care facilities, school divisions and funded independent schools in reducing the transmission of infection and keeping children, students and staff safe. The Routine Practices Guide is the first of its kind in Canada to be developed and implemented outside of a Healthcare setting. Some of the contents include how germs are spread, how to reduce exposure and transmission of germs, along with the roles of the child care facility, school and staff. The guide also includes ready-made supports that can be use in the child care facility or school.

Resources

The following resources have been developed and compiled for all staff to support the teaching and learning of Routine Practices and other infection prevention and control measures. The resources provided offer information and guidance to help staff prevent and manage the transmission of infectious diseases in child care facilities and school. Incorporating and teaching infection prevention and control will keep children, youth and adults healthy.

Routine Practices: Prevention of Infection for School Settings cover image

Information Sheet ( 79 KB)
The Information Sheet is an overview of the Routine Practices: Guide to Creating a Healthy Environment and Preventing Infections within Child Care Facilities and Schools. It provides a summary of the key points from the Guide for staff to help implement infection prevention and control measures, to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of children, students and staff.

Video PowerPoint Presentation

Routine Practices: Guide to Creating a Healthy Environment and Preventing Infections within Child Care Facilities and Schools Training Module ( 3.84 MB)

To help inform child care and school staff about Routine Practices: Guide to Creating a Healthy Environment and Preventing Infections within Child Care Facilities and Schools, a PowerPoint with narration has been developed to highlight important health practices from the document. The presentation can be used to introduce staff members to Routine Practices and other infection prevention and control measures that can be implemented into child care facilities and schools. It can be delivered during staff meetings, professional learning events or training sessions.

Staff Supports

Point of Care Risk Assessment Tool (PCRA) cover image

Point of Care Risk Assessment Tool (PCRA) ( 24 KB)
Point-of-Care Risk Assessment Tool is a measure that any staff member can use to evaluate the likelihood of exposure to germs (infectious agents). The poster shows appropriate actions (e.g., hand hygiene, PPE application) to minimize the risk of exposure.

Chain of Infection (How Germs Are Spread) ( 428 KB)
For an infection to occur, a series of events need to take place, often referred to as the "chain of infection." This poster, developed by Ottawa Public Health, can be used as a staff resource or for instructional purposes in the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions ( 428 KB)
Routine Practices: The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document provides answers to common questions child care facilities and schools may have when implementing the Routine Practices and other infection and prevention and control measures.

Infection Prevention and Control Posters

The following posters were created to support staff in implementing the prevention and control measures in the child care facility or school. The posters focus on good hygiene and cleaning procedures.

Adult Handwashing Procedure ( 1.4 MB)
Child Handwashing Procedure ( 1.18 MB)
What do you do when you go achoo ( 1.1 MB)
Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer ( 903 KB)
Diapering Procedure ( 1.3 MB)
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting with Chlorine Bleach Solution ( 1.2 MB)
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting with Commercial Products ( 753 KB)
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Schedule ( 79 KB)
You can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness ( 108 KB)

Contact

General Enquiries

Sector Relations Unit
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning
Telephone: 204-945-7188
Email: SRUnit@gov.mb.ca

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