Nursing in Early Care and Education: A Public Health Challenge

Millions of children are being cared for in early care and education programs every day. Keeping children of all ages healthy and safe is vital, yet our youngest children are especially vulnerable when being cared for in these settings. Infants and toddlers are more vulnerable to a host of environmental hazards, infectious diseases, and injuries when compared to preschoolers. Further, the first three years of life are a period of rapid growth in all areas of a child’s development. These years are the optimal time to identify developmental disabilities or early mental health problems, as well as provide a foundation for healthy habits.

Child care health consultants (usually advanced practice nurses) are in a unique position to support early care and education programs in their efforts to nurture the most favorable growth and development of an infant and toddler during this critical time. A child care health consultant (CCHC) is a licensed health professional with education and experience in child and community health and child care.

The AAP, the APHA, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC) recently produced Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Early Care and Education, a sub-collection of Caring for Our Chil­dren: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition. These standards represent the best evidence and expertise in the country on quality health and safety practices and policies for today’s early care and education settings, and CCHCs can support programs with implementation.