Everyday Strategies for Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Overview

Early care and education programs can reduce the spread of infectious disease by practicing standard daily routines and having written policies that describe proper procedures. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Maryland Department and Health (MDH), and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) provide reliable guidelines to support your efforts to maintain a safe and healthy child care program. Common infection control measures are included in the publication, Maryland Communicable Diseases Summary.

- - Vaccinations (required, recommended, exemptions)
  - Handwashing and Sneeze and Cough Etiquette
  - Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting
  - Biohazards (handling, storage, disposal)
  - Adequate Ventilation
  - Reportable Diseases, Exclusion Policies, and Outbreaks

NOTE: For COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) guidance, follow the information on the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website, Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning. The web page has an option for printing the guidelines at the top of the page. A Spanish version of the guidelines is also available.