Health care activities for children who are identified by nursery school nurses as children with special care needs

Abstract

　This study aimed to clarify the current state of health care activities for children who are identified by nursery school nurses as children with special care needs. Interviews were conducted with seven nursery school nurses. Analysis revealed two categories, “protecting safety” and “taking care of mental and physical health,” as health care activities carried out for children identified by nursery school nurses as having special care needs. A further two categories were identified: “sharing ideas with nursery teachers and supporting child care activities” as a means of supporting the health care activities of nursery teachers, and “giving advice to parents” as a health care activity targeted to parents. One example of health care activities carried out by nursery school nurses for children with special care needs was activities to keep children safe. However, only one of the nursery school nurses interviewed mentioned health care activities for nursery teachers, which suggests that cooperation with childcare workers is currently inadequate.