HEALTH POLICY

Children who are ill cannot be appropriately cared for in a preschool setting. Parents need to have alternate care available for when this occurs. Examples of health symptoms that require exclusion from the center include ( but are not limited to):

• An illness or flu (cold) that is obviously contagious. The last thing we want is for a flu to be passed back and forth between children all season long.
• Fever; Oral temperature above 101 degrees / Rectal temperature above 102 degrees / Axillary (under arm) temperature above 100 degrees
• Persistent diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis, which is an eye infection commonly referred to as "pink eye"
• Undiagnosed rash, except diaper rash
• Vomiting two or more times in previous 24 hour period, or any vomiting accompanied by other signs of illness
• Jaundice (yellow) skin or eyes
• Difficult or rapid breathing
• Symptoms of strep throat or chicken pox
• Head Lice, scabies, ring worm or other parasitic infections
• Any condition in which the child acts ill and is unable to participate in classroom activities and which compromises the health and safety of others.

If your child becomes ill while in our care, we will provide them a quiet place to rest that is in view of a childcare provider until the child is picked up from the facility. The parent or emergency contact person will be notified of the illness by the child's teacher and must pick the child up within one hour.

Whenever possible, we ask that all medication be given to children at home. We understand that this is not always possible. If medicine must be administered during Daycare, the following policy applies:

• Prescription and orally administered over-the-counter medication may be administered only upon written permission of the parent.
• Medication must be in the original container labeled with the child's complete name, the medication name, recommended dosage, time intervals for administration, method of administration and expiration date.
• Medication must be stored according to the instructions on the label in a place that is inaccessible to children. Medication must be returned to the parent when no longer needed.
• If a child develops symptoms which indicate a need for over-the-counter medication, including topical ointments, while in care, such medication may be given under the verbal consent from the parent for that day only. The provider must document that verbal instructions and approval were given by the parent.
• Staff must document the dosages and time that the medication was given to the child.