[Public and private day-care centers in Pelotas, RS: compliance with the regulations]

OBJECTIVES: Seventy-seven day-care centers were evaluated in Pelotas, RS, Brazil, in 1996, in order to assess compliance with current service regulations. METHODS: Information about physical structure, facilities, equipment, hygiene practices, and day-care staff was collected through a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The median number of children in public day-care centers was 89 children per center, while in the private centers the median was 29 children per center (p<0.001). A nursery was available in 88% of public day-care centers, and in 36% of the private centers (p<0.001). Concerning the physical structure, the majority of the public centers had exclusive toilet facilities for the children (91%), while this was the case in only 66% of the private centers (p<0.001). Fire extinguishers were found in public centers in a proportion three times higher than in the private centers. Proper bottle washing and refrigeration was done in 95% of the day-care centers studied, while sterilization of the bottles was reported in only 47% of the centers. Despite the fact of 85% of the centers kept records with health information on the children, 93% of the centers did not have the required health license provided by the municipal authority. CONCLUSIONS: There is a good deal of work to do in both private and public day-care centers in order for them to comply with the current service regulations.