As a family child care provider, I am concerned about the report regarding the high percentage of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome deaths occurring in Minnesota family child care homes.
Our main concern is the well-being of the children in their care. Many of the children, including infants, are in this setting for 10 or more hours per day. Even when all of the safety recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS deaths have been followed, SIDS deaths can still occur. The fact that a SIDS death occurs at a family child care home should not reflect on the quality of care.
Our local child care association, Family Child Care Inc., has provided workshops to inform providers about SIDS. An Olmsted County public health nurse is scheduled to make a presentation about SIDS as part of our September workshop. Information about SIDS has been included in the FCCI monthly newsletter, which is sent to more than 500 licensed child care providers in Olmsted County. In May 1998, all Minnesota licensed providers received a mailing from the Minnesota SIDS Center about the Back to Sleep Program
When a SIDS death occurs, everyone involved is devastated. I urge all family child care providers to educate themselves about the recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS and implement them into their daily child care routine, along with sharing the information you have learned with your child-care families.
Lori; Ann Hameister
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President
; Family; Child Care Inc.
Little; Bit of Country Daycare
2755; Brookwood Court S.E.
Eyota;
