Many children attend daycare, which can expose them to different common childhood illnesses. Of course, children's immune systems are immature, and whether they are cared for at home or in a daycare setting, they are bound to come down with something eventually. However, if your child attends daycare, there are steps you can take that may reduce how often they become ill. Here are a few tips for parents.

Boost Their Immunity with Nutrition

Children can be picky eaters, but if you provide an assortment of foods at an early age, you can often decrease their pickiness. A steady diet of macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, and other highly processed foods may be their preferred choices, but these foodstuffs aren't going to supply the necessary vitamins and nutrients the body needs to develop a healthy immune system.

Offer plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins. Some children are also deficient in iron, which can lessen the body's ability to cope with illness. Discuss vitamin and mineral supplementation with your child's physician if you suspect your child isn't getting enough nutrients from their diet alone.

Ensure They Get Plenty of Sleep

Children require more sleep than adults, but with life being as busy as it is, finding the time for adequate rest is often difficult. Toddlers need up to 14 hours of sleep a day but often get only 10 hours.

Every child is different, and toddlers are notorious for fighting sleep, but take a good look at just how much sleep your child is getting and adjust their schedule with an earlier bedtime or more frequent napping if you find they are chronically tired. Not only will their mood likely improve, but their body will also be better able to bounce back from illness.

Make Sure They Are Current With Their Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a hot topic, but if your child attends a daycare center, they are likely required to be vaccinated against the common childhood illnesses that immunizations protect against. Be certain to stick to the vaccination schedule recommended by your child's pediatrician and hopefully you can avoid more serious diseases.

Ask Your Daycare Provider About Healthy Practices

Every daycare center is different and state laws vary as well, so you should ask your daycare provider what their sick policy is and what their protocol is for avoiding illness and ensuring children are vaccinated. Frequent hand-washing and toy-sanitizing is a must to avoid cross-contamination between children.

For more information, reach out to daycare centers, like A Place to Grow.