Managing Asthma in a Childcare Setting

Managing a child’s asthma is all about working as a team, and childcare providers are hugely important team members! Here’s how you can help:

• Stay in the know. Keep a written list of a child’s triggers, medications, and other key information on hand. Parents can fill out this information in the Asthma Profile page on this site.
• Help children avoid their asthma triggers. Ask parents what triggers a child’s asthma and make note to help children avoid those things. Common triggers include pollen, mold, dust, cold air, physical activity, secondhand cigarette smoke, and furry or feathered animals.
• Teach children what to do during an asthma attack: Sit down, stay calm, get help.
• Be ready to help during an asthma attack.
  • If you are allowed to give medication, check the child’s Asthma Profile or a parent’s instructions to see what’s needed, and offer it.
  • Notify the child’s parent or guardian.
  • If necessary, call 911 for an ambulance.
• Look for loud and quiet asthma symptoms:
• Loud symptoms include:
  • coughing;
  • shakiness;
  • shortness of breath;
  • tightness in the chest;
  • wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing).
• Quiet symptoms include:
  • anxiety and nervousness;
  • restlessness during sleep;
  • sudden irritability or quietness;
  • unusual tiredness; and
  • unusual sweating or paleness.
• Check in about asthma attacks at home to stay updated on how the child is doing.