Recognizing the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy child care setting, this manual for home or center child care providers contains information and guidelines to help providers maintain child health and reduce sickness and injuries. Part 1, "Introduction," describes how diseases are spread and how to prevent and prepare for unintentional and intentional injuries, and provides guidelines for recognizing child abuse. Part 2 of the guide, "Establishing Policies to Promote Health and Safety," makes recommendations for developing written policies for health history and immunizations for day care children and care providers, exclusion for illness, incident reporting, emergency illness or injury procedures, children with special needs, medication administration, nutrition/foods brought from home, as well as smoking and the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Part 3, "Following Protective Practices to Reduce Disease and Injury," describes basic disease and injury protection practices, including stress reduction, handwashing and diapering routines, use of toilet training equipment, cleaning and disinfecting routines, use and handling of toothbrushes, and food safety and sanitation. Part 4, "Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Facility," details the contents of a written safety plan, including precautions, evaluation plan and drills pertaining to fire safety, electrical fixtures and outlets, stairways and walkways, indoor furnishings and equipment, outdoor play areas, small objects and toys, firearms, water temperatures, chemical toxins, lead poisoning, air pollution, pets, and exposure to electric and magnetic fields and to heat and ultraviolet rays. Part 5, "Fact Sheets on Childhood Diseases and Conditions," lists a variety of sicknesses and diseases, from asthma and the common cold to yeast infections, and gives the child care provider a general diagnostic description, as well as preventive measures for the illness. Appendices contain additional resources and contact information on regional poison control centers. Contains seven references. (KB)