title: How can local health agencies improve health knowledge and skills of child care centre operators?
abstract: As the number of child care centres increases across Canada, local health agencies are increasingly involved in health issues within these facilities. 90% of operators of the 98 child care centres in an Ontario community responded to a mail survey distributed by the local health unit to determine health needs in these facilities. Infectious disease was reported to be the major health problem of the children. 76% of operators requested information about infectious diseases, in particular through use of written materials made available to their centre. The level of education of operators was high with 79% having completed community college courses. Over 70% of operators had attended continuing education sessions or workshops on child abuse, growth and development and nutrition; fewer operators reported attending sessions on infectious diseases, child safety, parent-child relationships and dental health. As a result of the needs assessment, a health unit multidisciplinary team has met and initiated a number of activities including meeting with child care centre operators, publication of newsletter for operators, and development of educational materials.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007318:Inservice Training; D009864:Ontario; D011635:Public Health Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires