A Study on the Development of Children`s Health Assessment Tools in Child Care Centers

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop child's health assessment tools for children in child care centers. Methods: Based on the literature review and several types of workshops participated with the child health nursing professors, doctoral students, nurses in pediatric units and pediatric psychiatric units from July to December 2006, the standards of child health assessment tools were developed. Graduate students and 4th grade students in nursing were trained for health assessment and used these assessment tools to validate the content and reliability of said tools. Results: Some record forms were newly developed, including demographic characteristics, past history, present health status, behavioral problems, and appropriate developmental screening tests in child care centers were selected. For systematic health care management in child care centers, daily care report, illness log, and referral sheet were also developed. Conclusion: In the face of growing utilization of daycare and their association with increased risk of various diseases, assessment and control measures are indispensable to the promotion of child health. Children's physical and mental health and developmental problems can be assessed using this assessment tools. They can be used for establishing the direction for developing a health care service system for young children.