Personal Protective Equipment

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Personal protective equipment (PPE), is considered a special equipment clothing you wear for protection against hazards. PPE prevents blood or OPIMs (other potentially infectious materials) from passing through to or contacting your clothes or your body.

​Personal protective equipment includes:

• Gloves
• Gowns
• Aprons
• Face masks

​You must remove all PPE before leaving the work area. 

Aprons
​Aprons or another water proof covering should be worn when serving food, changing diapers and soiled clothes, and in the infant room at all times. This is a great protection in the classroom from runny noses, tearful hugs and infants who may have a dirty diaper while sitting on your lap. Keep a few aprons on hand just in case.  

Face Masks 
​Face masks should be available if needed. This one is difficult as it might scare the children, and getting a child to wear one might be problematic. If you are sick, stay home. If a child is sick, he or she should stay home. But often we find out too late and the child has already been part of the classroom and has interacted with classmates.  

Eye Protection 
​Eye protection is very helpful. Sneezes, coughs and rubbing your eyes with contaminated fingers can cause infection.  We touch our faces over 200 times a day without noticing we are doing it. There are some who get non-prescription eye glasses for this very reason. 

​Small Plastic Bags 
Small plastic bags should also be kept in your fanny pack. Used tissue can be placed inside rather than contaminate the other items you are carrying. Zip lock bags work well for a child that is vomiting. They can be sealed and discarded easily. 

Optional Resources for Further Study

• Because I Care, I Wash My Hands - Curriculum Resources from College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences​
• Diaper-Changing Steps for Childcare Settings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
• ​Diaper Changing Procedures Poster
• Frequently Asked Questions About Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
• The Flu & You, CDC

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Health Policies
3.  Ill Child (1/5)
4. Keeping Children Healthy
5. Daily Health Check
6. Responding to the Child (2/5)
7. Health Policies (3/5)
8. Medication Management

9. Key Points to Medication 
10. Medication (4/5)
11. Spread of Disease
12. Transmission of Germs
13. Standard Precautions
14. Handwashing
15. PPE
16. Gloves

17. Immunizations
18. Cleaning
19. Sanitizing vs Disinfecting
20. Healthy Classroom
21. Children with Special Needs
22. ADA
23. Quiz (5/5)
24. Evaluation Form
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