Comprehensive care plan template
Essential information to include
Basic information
- Child's full name and date of birth
- Date of T1D diagnosis
- Current insulin regimen and doses
- Target blood sugar ranges
- Meal and snack schedule
- Emergency contact information
Daily management
- Blood sugar checking schedule
- Insulin administration instructions
- Meal and snack carbohydrate content
- Physical activity considerations
- Signs and symptoms to watch for
- When to contact parents/healthcare team
Sample daily schedule
8:00 AM: Arrival blood sugar check
9:30 AM: Morning snack (15g carbs)
12:00 PM: Pre-lunch blood sugar + insulin
12:15 PM: Lunch (45g carbs)
3:00 PM: Afternoon snack (15g carbs)
5:30 PM: Pre-pickup blood sugar check
Staff training program
Training session outline (2-3 hours)
Session 1: Understanding Type 1 diabetes (45 minutes)
- What is Type 1 diabetes vs Type 2
- Why children develop T1D (not caused by diet/lifestyle)
- How insulin works in the body
- Why blood sugar management is critical
- Long-term outlook and normal development
Session 2: Daily care tasks (60 minutes)
- Blood sugar checking technique and timing
- Insulin administration (if applicable)
- Carbohydrate counting basics
- Meal and snack timing importance
- Physical activity considerations
- Record keeping and communication
Session 3: Emergency procedures (45 minutes)
- Recognizing low blood sugar symptoms
- Treating hypoglycemia step-by-step
- When to call parents vs 911
- Glucagon administration (if trained)
- High blood sugar recognition and response
- Sick day management basics
Training materials to provide
- Laminated quick reference cards for each classroom
- Step-by-step emergency procedure posters
- Practice blood glucose meter for training
- Sample treatment supplies for hands-on practice
- Contact information cards for all staff
- Age-appropriate books about T1D for children
Emergency action plans
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Mild symptoms (child alert):
- Shakiness, sweating, hunger
- Irritability, mood changes
- Fatigue, difficulty concentrating
Treatment steps:
- Check blood sugar if possible
- Give 15g fast-acting carbs (glucose tablets/juice)
- Wait 15 minutes, recheck blood sugar
- Repeat treatment if still low
- Give protein snack once normal
- Notify parents immediately
Severe symptoms:
- Confusion, difficulty speaking
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure activity
- Action: Call 911 immediately
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Symptoms to watch:
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fruity breath odor
Action steps:
- Check blood sugar
- Encourage water intake
- Contact parents immediately
- Do not give insulin unless trained
- Monitor for worsening symptoms
- Call 911 if vomiting or severe symptoms
Emergency supply kit (keep in classroom)
Low blood sugar treatment:
- Glucose tablets (age-appropriate)
- Glucose gel tubes
- Juice boxes (4 oz)
- Crackers or granola bars
Testing supplies:
- Blood glucose meter
- Test strips (check expiration)
- Lancets and lancing device
- Alcohol wipes
Emergency items:
- Glucagon emergency kit
- Emergency contact list
- Care plan copy
- Logbook for recording
Legal rights and 504 plan basics
Your child's rights
- Equal access: Right to participate in all activities and programs
- Reasonable accommodations: Modifications to policies and procedures
- Trained staff: Designated personnel trained in T1D management
- Emergency care: Immediate access to treatment and emergency services
- Privacy protection: Medical information kept confidential
- No discrimination: Cannot be excluded due to diabetes
504 plan development
Key accommodations to request
- Permission to check blood sugar and treat lows anywhere, anytime
- Access to water and bathroom without permission
- Snacks allowed in classroom as needed
- Extra time for assignments/tests if affected by blood sugar
- Trained staff member always available
- Full participation in field trips and activities
- Private space for diabetes management tasks
Documentation to provide
- Letter from pediatric endocrinologist confirming diagnosis
- Detailed diabetes management plan (DMMP)
- Emergency action plans for high and low blood sugar
- List of requested accommodations
- Contact information for healthcare team
Building trust and communication
Establishing strong relationships
With administrators
- Schedule initial meeting before enrollment
- Provide comprehensive information packet
- Discuss liability concerns openly
- Offer to provide additional training
- Maintain regular communication
With teachers and staff
- Introduce yourself and your child personally
- Provide hands-on training opportunities
- Share positive stories and outcomes
- Be available for questions and concerns
- Express appreciation for their care
Ongoing communication strategies
- Daily logbook: Track blood sugars, treatments, and observations
- Weekly check-ins: Brief conversations about how things are going
- Monthly reviews: Assess care plan effectiveness and make adjustments
- Open door policy: Encourage staff to contact you with any concerns
- Positive reinforcement: Acknowledge good care and successful management
- Problem-solving approach: Work together to address challenges
Daycare readiness checklist
Before first day
- Care plan completed and reviewed
- Staff training sessions completed
- Emergency supplies stocked
- 504 plan or accommodation letter signed
- Emergency contacts updated
- Healthcare team contact info provided
- Trial run or practice day completed
- Communication system established
First week monitoring
- Daily blood sugar logs reviewed
- Staff comfort level assessed
- Child's adjustment to routine evaluated
- Any issues or concerns addressed
Need help with daycare advocacy?
Your care team can write the letters and care plans a daycare asks for. You can also browse all resources.