Health and Illness Policy
Young children build up their natural immunity by getting many virus infections, so minor illnesses are a part of school settings. However, we must minimize exposures and make individual family plans in advance for when your child is ill and cannot come to school. Containing illness is a goal for our school for three reasons – children, parents and our teachers. The entire classroom suffers when children come to school sick.
Illnesses in the preschool years are inevitable. Children can be sick one moment and just fine the next. We support your responsibilities to your employment and ask your understanding that the health of the entire classroom community is also our responsibility. Although we deliver lots of tender loving care we are not staffed for continuous care of sick children.
Our state licensing requires the Director to be aware of the general health condition of each child upon arrival.
If your child becomes ill at school, we will notify you immediately and ask that you come and pick them up within the hour.
Each parent is responsible for keeping his or her child home from school if:
1. S/he has a temperature or has had one within the last 24 hours. (A child may return to school when s/he has had no fever and has not required medications for fever for at least 24 hours.)
2. S/he is currently contagious as confirmed by your doctor.
3. S/he has a dry hacking cough (unless a doctor’s certificate states that it is due to an allergy).
4. His/her cold is less than 3 days old.
5. S/he has abundant nasal discharge
6. S/he shows signs of illness such a fever, rash, red eyes (with or without discharge), upset stomach, unusual cough or cold symptoms like signs of nausea or diarrhea, etc. Inform the Director of any allergic symptoms the child might have.
7. Report to the Director any exposure to communicable disease.
Illnesses in the preschool years are inevitable. Children can be sick one moment and just fine the next. We support your responsibilities to your employment and ask your understanding that the health of the entire classroom community is also our responsibility. Although we deliver lots of tender loving care we are not staffed for continuous care of sick children.
Our state licensing requires the Director to be aware of the general health condition of each child upon arrival.
If your child becomes ill at school, we will notify you immediately and ask that you come and pick them up within the hour.
Each parent is responsible for keeping his or her child home from school if:
1. S/he has a temperature or has had one within the last 24 hours. (A child may return to school when s/he has had no fever and has not required medications for fever for at least 24 hours.)
2. S/he is currently contagious as confirmed by your doctor.
3. S/he has a dry hacking cough (unless a doctor’s certificate states that it is due to an allergy).
4. His/her cold is less than 3 days old.
5. S/he has abundant nasal discharge
6. S/he shows signs of illness such a fever, rash, red eyes (with or without discharge), upset stomach, unusual cough or cold symptoms like signs of nausea or diarrhea, etc. Inform the Director of any allergic symptoms the child might have.
7. Report to the Director any exposure to communicable disease.
Communicable Health Problems
Disease Incubation Isolation if Disease Develops
Chicken Pox 10-21 days 7 days or when the last lesion is dry and scabbed over
German Measles 14-21 At least 4 days after onset of rash
Scarlet Fever 2-5 days 7 days
Strep Throat 1-3 days 24-48 hours after Penicillin therapy has begun
Whooping Cough 7-21 days 5-7 days after the onset of therapy
Common Cold 12-72 hours At least three days
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) 24-72 hours Once eye appears healthy
Fifth Disease 4 days or less Until facial rash disappears
Impetigo 4-10 days Until lesion is dry and healing
Head Lice Until eggs in hair and clothing have been destroyed, and nits are no longer present
Chicken Pox 10-21 days 7 days or when the last lesion is dry and scabbed over
German Measles 14-21 At least 4 days after onset of rash
Scarlet Fever 2-5 days 7 days
Strep Throat 1-3 days 24-48 hours after Penicillin therapy has begun
Whooping Cough 7-21 days 5-7 days after the onset of therapy
Common Cold 12-72 hours At least three days
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) 24-72 hours Once eye appears healthy
Fifth Disease 4 days or less Until facial rash disappears
Impetigo 4-10 days Until lesion is dry and healing
Head Lice Until eggs in hair and clothing have been destroyed, and nits are no longer present
First Aid
A child will be comforted for bumps, and scratches will be washed with soap and water and covered with a Band-Aid. The first aid kit is in backpack in closet. If your child is hurt in class, you will find an “Ouch Report” in their cubby describing the accident and the first aid administered.