Impetigo in Child Care: What Child Care Centers Need to Know

If you work in a child care center, you’ve probably seen your fair share of runny noses, coughs, and scraped knees. But one common condition that can spread quickly through classrooms is impetigo—a highly contagious skin infection that mostly affects young children.

As a pediatric nurse and child care health consultant serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island, I help centers like yours navigate infections such as impetigo while staying compliant with state health regulations.

What Is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It often begins as red sores around the nose, mouth, or hands. These sores can burst, ooze, and form a characteristic honey-colored crust. While it looks alarming, impetigo is usually not dangerous when treated—but it can spread fast in group settings like preschools and daycares .

Why Child Care Centers Should Care

• Highly contagious – Impetigo spreads through direct contact or by touching contaminated toys, surfaces, and linens.

• Disruption to families – Children with impetigo may need to stay home, creating stress for both parents and the center.

• Licensing compliance – Massachusetts EEC regulations require child care centers to have clear health policies around infectious diseases, including exclusion and return-to-care procedures .

  
  

Prevention in Child Care Settings

To reduce the spread of impetigo in your program:

• Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water.

• Clean and disinfect toys, doorknobs, and shared surfaces daily.

• Teach children not to scratch or touch sores.

• Cover sores with bandages when possible.

• Follow exclusion guidelines: Children with impetigo should stay home until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and sores are covered.

How PediNurse, LLC Can Help

At PediNurse, LLC, I partner with child care centers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island to:

• Develop and review infection control policies

• Train staff on recognizing and managing common childhood infections

• Provide guidance on exclusion and return-to-care rules

• Support your team with ongoing consultation to stay inspection-ready and confident in managing children’s health needs

By working with a pediatric nurse consultant, your center not only meets licensing requirements but also ensures a safe and supportive environment for children and families.

Final Takeaway

Impetigo may be common, but with the right infection control strategies and expert guidance, your child care center can keep outbreaks under control. Partnering with PediNurse, LLC means you’ll have the tools, policies, and training to protect children while staying compliant with state regulations.

👉 Learn more at www.pedinurseconsulting.com

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Impetigo: Symptoms & Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/impetigo.html

2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Red Book: Impetigo Guidelines. https://publications.aap.org

3. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Health and Safety Requirements for Child Care Programs. https://www.mass.gov