Updated National Health and Safety Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Public Health Association (APHA), and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC) recently released the 3rd edition of Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs (updated as of January 2012). These national standards provide the most current information on quality health and safety practices and policies that should be followed in early care and education settings. Chapter 8 is dedicated to children with special health care needs and disabilities.