Child Care Centers

There are approximately 40 Child Care Centers in our health district that will be inspected a minimum of once per year. The purpose of the rules and regulations governing child care centers and the inspections that we perform is to provide and maintain minimum health and sanitation requirements.

Our department should not be confused with the Division of Child Care in the Colorado Department of Human Services, which licenses child care facilities. Our department does not license these facilities, we only inspect them to ensure that the operation and maintenance is in accordance with health regulations to protect the health of children and staff in these facilities.

Colorado Child Care Regulations

Complaint Form

Sanitizers/ Disinfectants

Illness Policies

Radon

Food Handling

Sanitizers and Disinfectants

Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants

Using Bleach in Child Care Facilities

Clorox and other bleach products have increased the percentage of hypochlorite (the active ingredient) from 6% to 8.25%. Please check your bleach bottle to determine the percentage of hypochlorite.The use of bleach as a SANITIZER for food contact surfaces, tables, and toys should be mixed and/or tested daily for a concentration of 50-200 ppm.

Sanitizing solutions should be used on food contact surfaces, toys, and other commonly handled items, such as doorknobs. Disinfecting solutions should be used in restrooms, on diaper changing tables, and to disinfect areas contaminated by bodily fluids. Around cases of norovirus, during outbreaks of norovirus, and during outbreaks of unknown viral gastroenteritis, the norovirus dilution should be used for disinfection.

List of Approved Disinfectants

Concentrations

Mixing Smaller Quantities

Illness Policies

There are three main reasons to keep sick children at home:

1. The child doesn’t feel well enough to take part in normal activities, (such as overly tired, fussy or won’t stop crying).
2. The child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other children.
3. The lists below recommend staying home in relation to the illness.

Every Child Care Center should have an illness policy in place for students and for staff to protect everyone from the spread of illness.

How sick is too sick?

Follow the below links to read a list of illnesses, symptoms, and recommendations for keeping children home from daycare.

English

Spanish

Staff Illness Policy

It is important to keep track of illnesses both in children and in staff. This can help pin down if there is an outbreak, and keep everyone as healthy and happy as possible.

Illness Surveillance Form

Radon

Radon is a cancer causing gas that is invisible, odorless, tasteless, and can only be detected through testing. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, and gets into the air you breathe. Radon enters buildings such as homes, schools, and child care facilities through cracks in the foundation.

If your facility was licensed before January 14, 2016 you will need to test for radon before May 1, 2017.

Graphic courtesy of CDPHE

More Information on Radon

Testing your facility

Food Handling

Child care facilities need to be mindful of food safety.

Resources for food safety in Child Care Centers:

4 Easy Steps to Date Marking

Bare Hand Contact with Food

Indirect Plumbing Guide

If you'd like more information, please contact our Environmental Health Manager:

Melvin Bustos
(970) 867-4918 x2262
melb@nchd.org