I work as a nurse for Head Start. This year we have started to allow 3 to 5 year olds to pass food. I personally find this disgusting and very unsanitary.
This is how we do it. We put fruit, bread, and sometimes pasta on the table with a serving spoon. The children are supposed to take a small amount and then pass the dish to the next child.
Between the sneezing, coughing and general fingers in the dish, by the time it gets to me, I refuse to take any food. I am REQUIRED to eat what the children eat, but I just can't make myself eat after them.
I have tried to get my food first, but most of the time I am serving milk or the hot food and don't get the opportunity.
In one center we had an outbreak of Rotavirus and I instructed the cooks and the teachers on NOT allowing the children to pass anything at the table. Plus I had each child use hand sanitizer after washing their hands. I also used clorox wipes and wiped down EVERY surface in the building.
My questions are:
1. How do I present the dangers of this practice to my Director?
2. What kinds of illnesses should I prepare for next year?
3. How long do you think it will take before the centers are shut down due to food borne illness?
The thought of eating after the children is enough to make me look for another job!
