Nurseries or Kindergartens Play a Major Role in Enhancing Children's Social and Educational Skills

They are often the first small community children experience outside of the family. Despite their importance, this environment increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases among children. The way children communicate and play closely, combined with their developing immune systems and spontaneous behaviors like sharing food or toys, accelerates the spread of infections.

In this report, Dr. Manal Al-Ajmi, a professor of education and mental health, highlights the most common diseases transmitted in nurseries, the reasons for their spread, and the best preventive methods to reduce infection risks.

Why Do Diseases Spread in Nurseries?

Children’s behavior in nurseries exposes them to infections. Children aged 6 months to 5 years are more prone to illnesses due to:

An immature immune system still in development.
Behaviors such as putting fingers in their mouths, sharing cups, not washing hands properly, and close physical interaction during play.
Lack of personal hygiene awareness, like not covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing.

What Are the Most Common Diseases in Nurseries?

Colds and Influenza
Caused by viruses spread through droplets or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and fatigue.
Strep Throat
Caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, and difficulty swallowing.
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include itchy skin rash, blisters, and fever. Spread through the air or direct contact.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Caused by viruses like Coxsackie. Symptoms include rash, mouth sores, and fever. Spread via saliva, stool, or contaminated surfaces.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms include red eyes, yellow discharge, and itching. Spread through contact with infected eyes or shared objects.
Middle Ear Infections
Often a complication of colds. Symptoms: ear pain, fever, frequent crying. Not directly contagious, but the underlying viruses are.
Gastrointestinal Illnesses (e.g., Rotavirus)
Caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Spread through contaminated hands, toys, or food.
Head Lice
Caused by lice living on the scalp. Symptoms: intense itching, visible lice or nits (eggs). Spread by sharing hats, pillows, or direct contact.

Effective Ways to Prevent Illness in Nurseries

Handwashing: Teach kids personal hygiene like regular handwashing before meals and after bathroom use, covering mouths when coughing/sneezing, and not sharing personal items.
Vaccination: Ensure your child receives all scheduled vaccines, including rotavirus, chickenpox, and flu shots.
Daily Health Checks: Nurseries should visually check children daily for signs of illness like rash, eye redness, runny nose, or fever, and send sick children home.
Regular Cleaning: Clean and disinfect toys, surfaces, bathrooms, and shared spaces regularly with safe cleaning products.
Limit Group Sizes: Overcrowding increases transmission risk; each child should have enough personal space.
Staff Training: Teachers and staff should be trained to handle minor illness cases and apply temporary isolation procedures when needed.

When Should a Child Stay Home from Nursery?

Mild cold without fever or severe coughing: can attend.
Fever above 38.5°C without a clear cause: stay home.
Conjunctivitis: stay home until discharge stops and 24 hours after starting treatment.
Chickenpox: stay home until blisters dry and form scabs.
Diarrhea or vomiting: stay home until 24 hours symptom-free.
Head lice: stay home until treated and all nits are removed.

Parental Role in Protecting Their Child and Others

Daily Check at Home: Monitor your child each morning for unusual symptoms.
Don’t hesitate to keep your child home if unsure of their health.
Inform the nursery if your child is diagnosed with a contagious illness.
Send personal items like tissues, a water bottle, comb, and eating utensils when needed.

Nursery Responsibilities Upon Discovering a Contagious Case

Temporarily isolate the child in a supervised room.
Notify parents to take the child home immediately.
Thoroughly disinfect the areas the child was in.
Send a notice to other parents (without naming the child) to observe their own children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for a child to get sick often in nursery?

Yes. In the first year, children may catch 8–12 infections. It’s part of building their immune system, as long as symptoms are mild and properly managed.

Does frequent illness mean the nursery is unclean?

Not necessarily. Even clean nurseries can see outbreaks due to children's behavior. However, cleanliness reduces the number and severity of cases.

Should I keep my child home to avoid infections?

Total isolation is not ideal. Moderate exposure to viruses can help build immunity. What’s important is a strong prevention system and quick response to symptoms.