ILLNESS PREVENTION POLICY

Young children in group settings tend to be exposed to colds and other contagious illnesses since they haven't developed immunities yet and are still learning good health habits. Most illnesses are spread by hand contact, not from cold weather. Hand washing has been shown to be the most effective means of keeping children and adults healthy. We help children practice good hand-washing habits, using and disposing of tissues properly, covering their mouths when sneezing, etc. Families can assist by doing the same at home and keeping the child home if they are showing symptoms of illness. Please thoroughly wash your hands and your child's hands when entering our School each day.

Please call or text the School by 9:00 a.m. if your child will be out for the day.

Children may not attend the school if: 

1.     An illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities; 

2.     An illness results in a greater care need than the Staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children;

3.     The illness poses a risk of spreading harmful diseases to others or

4.     The child has any of the following conditions: 

• Has a rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher

• Has an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher

• Has an armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher

Additionally if you child has any of the following aliments.

a. Has behavior changes or other signs and symptoms of illness until medical evaluation indicates inclusion or the child is 24 hours fever-free without the aid of fever-reducing medications.

b. Symptoms and signs of severe illness include unusual lethargy, uncontrolled coughing, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or other unusual signs until medical evaluation indicates inclusion.

c. Uncontrolled diarrhea, that is, increased number of stools, increased liquid, or decreased form that is not contained in the diaper until a normal bowel movement occurs.

d. Vomiting illness (one or more episodes of vomiting in the previous 24 hours) until vomiting resolves or until a health provider determines the cause to be non-communicable, and the child is not in danger of dehydration. 

e. Mouth sores unless a healthcare provider or health official determines the condition is noninfectious. 

f. Rash with fever or behavior change, until a health care provider determines that these symptoms do not indicate a communicable disease. 

g. Impetigo (bacterial skin infection) until treatment has been initiated. 

h. Strep throat or other streptococcal infection, until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment of the condition and 24 hr. fever-free.

i. Chickenpox, until 6 days after the onset of rash or until all of the scabs have dried and crusted.

j. Pertussis (whooping cough), until 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment. 

k. Ringworm (fungal skin infection), if the lesion cannot be covered.

l. Purulent conjunctivitis "Pink Eye" (defined as pink or red conjunctivitis with white or yellow discharge) until 24 hours after initiating treatment.

m. Unspecified respiratory illness, severely ill children with the common cold, croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis media (ear infection). Must be medically cleared by a Physician and showing marked improvement.

n. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), must be kept home until medically released by a physician. 

RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS

If your child is sent home from School because of illness, you need to keep them home for 24 hrs. before they can return. This gives you time to observe your child for continuing illness symptoms and reduce the spread of illness to other kids at School.

• Children may return when they are no longer contagious.

• They MUST be able to participate in regular class activities, including outdoor play.

A child who appears to staff to show signs of illness may be excluded from class, and you may be asked to take them home. 

FEVER

If your child is sent home with a fever, you MUST keep your child home for 24 hrs. after their fever breaks, before they return, even if they don't have a fever when they get home. If you bring your child in the next day after they are sent home, we will ask you to bring them back home till the next day.

We check all fevers with 2-3 different thermometers. We know that sounds excessive, but sadly, we have not found one that is very reliable. If your child is sent home, it was because your child registered a fever on more than 2-3 of our thermometers.

CONTAGIOUS OUTBREAK

In the rare circumstance that a contagious outbreak occurs, causing the majority of the School to be out sick at one time, the School reserves the right to close to maintain the health and well-being of other children/Staff.

Please call or text the School by 9:00 a.m. if your child will be out for the day.