Do not bring your child to daycare if he/she is showing signs of illness. Below are some guidelines for when your child should stay home (This list is NOT all inclusive). You will also be called to pick up your child if they exhibit any of the symptoms below. You must inform me of any illness in your household so that we may be more alert to subtle changes in your child’s behavior/health.
Doctor’s Notes: I require a doctor’s note anytime your child visits the doctor for an illness, children will not be admitted back into care without a doctor’s note that includes the specific diagnosis. Phrases like “illness” and “injury” will not be accepted. They must also contain any special accommodations or precautions that should be taken as a result of your child’s illness/injury. The note should be photographed and uploaded to your child’s Daily Connect account the day of the doctor’s visit.
A doctor’s note does not automatically entitle your child to attend. A doctor’s note permitting the child to return to daycare is simply a statement that they are well enough to be in care. It does not mean there is no risk of exposure, nor does it mean I will accept the child back into the daycare home. Even if your doctor is willing to write a note that it is OK to return to care. Your doctor does not know anything about the other children in my care, and cannot decide it is OK to expose them to any form of contagious illness, because one child’s cold can be a fatal case of RSV to another child. Whether or not a child is excluded from care is my decision exclusively and cannot be overridden.
I will evaluate each illness on a case by case basis and apply best practices/recommendations at the time from reputable medical resources (Mayo clinic, CDC, etc.)
**Your child must be symptom free (body temperature returned to normal, not just under 100) for a minimum of 24 hours by 7:15 AM of the day care is to be provided without being medicated before he/she can return. If a child is excluded from care and has diarrhea, the child must have at least one normal bowel movement at home.
Medical Issues: You must disclose all chronic and acute illnesses your child has so that I can be prepared if there is an emergency. Any health condition not reported upon enrollment on the Health and Allergy Statement form must have a doctor’s note (with the diagnosis) to be admitted back to care, or for it to be used as validation for a child to remain in my care while “sick” (i.e. a child with a constant runny nose and cough and allergies were not disclosed, a note from the doctor will be required).
Medical Emergencies: In the case of a medical emergency that requires immediate, urgent medical treatment, 911 will be called. Once 911 has been called and the dispatcher has given me permission to hang up the phone the child’s parents will be contacted to meet the ambulance at the hospital.
Sick Parents: If the individual dropping the child off/picking the child up meets ANY of the criteria that would prevent a child from being in care, the parent must NOT enter the home as this could adversely affect the other children in care. You may call me and I will meet you outside at drop off and/or pick up. If you are ill but your symptoms would not exclude your child from care, make your time in my home as brief as possible and Health and Medication Agreement (continued)
touch as few surfaces as possible in order to decrease the likelihood of passing any illness to the children. If you are ill or feeling ill please let me know when you are on your way and I will have your child ready and waiting for you.
Medication: If your child needs any type of medication, you must fill out a medication permission form prior to administration. All medications must be in the original container, bear the child’s name and directions for dosage and not be expired. You will have to fill out one form per medication per illness and sign it. Children must have taken the medication before or take the first dose at home before coming to daycare in case of an allergic reaction.
Hygiene: Your child must be bathed and be clean. Proper bathing and grooming helps ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all.
Communicable Diseases: Parents must notify me immediately when a child contracts a communicable disease. I will post notices of exposure to a communicable disease and
notify the Department of Public Health. I post exposure notices in Daily Connect which will tell you what your child has been exposed to, what the symptoms are and how long the incubation period is. I cannot tell you who is ill.
Any parent who medicates their child with ANY fever before dropping them off will be terminated immediately with no notice and no refund for any unused time and will be responsible for paying a fee for 2 weeks’ notice while not being able to utilize child care during that time.
Sick Siblings: If there is a sick sibling staying home due to illness (such as flu, stomach virus, strep, etc.) siblings will not be accepted into care (even with no symptoms) in order to decrease the likelihood of exposure for all the children as well as the care providers.
Immunizations
ALL children must receive the recommended immunizations in a timely manner. Immunizations are considered late if they are more than 30 days outside the recommended times. Your child will not be able to attend if they fall behind on their immunizations. Your child must also be vaccinated for the flu virus no later than November 15th each flu season (unless there is an issue with vaccine shortages). I require a copy of your child’s shot record before their first day in attendance, and an update record after each vaccination. Due to the risk of adverse reactions that can develop after receiving immunizations, children may not attend day care the same day they receive immunizations so please schedule doctor appointments when it's convenient for you to take off because your child will not be able to return to daycare that same day.
- A fever of 100.0 or more. Children cannot be medicated with a fever reducer, anti-diarrheal, or anti-emetics (nausea) medications for any reason before arrival.
- Two diarrheas/loose stools in 24 hours or one or more diarrheas/loose stool each day for more than two days in a row.
- Watery mucus from the eye or pink eyes.
- A runny nose showing greenish/yellow nasal mucous for more than 4 days. A clear runny nose is acceptable when not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, coughing, vomiting, or listlessness.
- A cough with mucus secretions (a wet, wheezy cough which could be spreading a bacterial or viral infection on the droplets) when associated with other symptoms or when persistent. Or that prevents child from participating in normal activities.
- All rashes except diaper, eczema or heat rashes.
- Vomiting.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Signs and symptoms of possible illness such as lethargy, irritability, persistent crying or any other unusual signs until a medical evaluation allows inclusion.
- Any area of bleeding must be able to be covered and contained with a band aid or your child will not be able to attend daycare.
- FLU – ineligible to return to care for a minimum of 10 calendar days regardless of absence of fever
- Lethargy
- PINK EYE- children must be on drops for at least 24 hours before they can return.
- THRUSH- children cannot return until the thrush is no longer visible
- HAND FOOT AND MOUTH- must be fever free for 24 hours and no visible blisters on the body or in the mouth.
- STREP THROAT: Fever free for a minimum of 24 hours and on antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours
- Head Lice: I will check each child a minimum of once a week. If your child is found to have lice and/or nits, you will be required to pick them up immediately. They will not be allowed to return until they have been lice and nit free for 3 days. I will check them at their next drop off and they must be completely nit free. There will be no exceptions.
- Copious, uncontrolled nasal drainage that prevents the child from participating in activities.
Doctor’s Notes: I require a doctor’s note anytime your child visits the doctor for an illness, children will not be admitted back into care without a doctor’s note that includes the specific diagnosis. Phrases like “illness” and “injury” will not be accepted. They must also contain any special accommodations or precautions that should be taken as a result of your child’s illness/injury. The note should be photographed and uploaded to your child’s Daily Connect account the day of the doctor’s visit.
A doctor’s note does not automatically entitle your child to attend. A doctor’s note permitting the child to return to daycare is simply a statement that they are well enough to be in care. It does not mean there is no risk of exposure, nor does it mean I will accept the child back into the daycare home. Even if your doctor is willing to write a note that it is OK to return to care. Your doctor does not know anything about the other children in my care, and cannot decide it is OK to expose them to any form of contagious illness, because one child’s cold can be a fatal case of RSV to another child. Whether or not a child is excluded from care is my decision exclusively and cannot be overridden.
I will evaluate each illness on a case by case basis and apply best practices/recommendations at the time from reputable medical resources (Mayo clinic, CDC, etc.)
**Your child must be symptom free (body temperature returned to normal, not just under 100) for a minimum of 24 hours by 7:15 AM of the day care is to be provided without being medicated before he/she can return. If a child is excluded from care and has diarrhea, the child must have at least one normal bowel movement at home.
Medical Issues: You must disclose all chronic and acute illnesses your child has so that I can be prepared if there is an emergency. Any health condition not reported upon enrollment on the Health and Allergy Statement form must have a doctor’s note (with the diagnosis) to be admitted back to care, or for it to be used as validation for a child to remain in my care while “sick” (i.e. a child with a constant runny nose and cough and allergies were not disclosed, a note from the doctor will be required).
Medical Emergencies: In the case of a medical emergency that requires immediate, urgent medical treatment, 911 will be called. Once 911 has been called and the dispatcher has given me permission to hang up the phone the child’s parents will be contacted to meet the ambulance at the hospital.
Sick Parents: If the individual dropping the child off/picking the child up meets ANY of the criteria that would prevent a child from being in care, the parent must NOT enter the home as this could adversely affect the other children in care. You may call me and I will meet you outside at drop off and/or pick up. If you are ill but your symptoms would not exclude your child from care, make your time in my home as brief as possible and Health and Medication Agreement (continued)
touch as few surfaces as possible in order to decrease the likelihood of passing any illness to the children. If you are ill or feeling ill please let me know when you are on your way and I will have your child ready and waiting for you.
Medication: If your child needs any type of medication, you must fill out a medication permission form prior to administration. All medications must be in the original container, bear the child’s name and directions for dosage and not be expired. You will have to fill out one form per medication per illness and sign it. Children must have taken the medication before or take the first dose at home before coming to daycare in case of an allergic reaction.
Hygiene: Your child must be bathed and be clean. Proper bathing and grooming helps ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all.
Communicable Diseases: Parents must notify me immediately when a child contracts a communicable disease. I will post notices of exposure to a communicable disease and
notify the Department of Public Health. I post exposure notices in Daily Connect which will tell you what your child has been exposed to, what the symptoms are and how long the incubation period is. I cannot tell you who is ill.
Any parent who medicates their child with ANY fever before dropping them off will be terminated immediately with no notice and no refund for any unused time and will be responsible for paying a fee for 2 weeks’ notice while not being able to utilize child care during that time.
Sick Siblings: If there is a sick sibling staying home due to illness (such as flu, stomach virus, strep, etc.) siblings will not be accepted into care (even with no symptoms) in order to decrease the likelihood of exposure for all the children as well as the care providers.
Immunizations
ALL children must receive the recommended immunizations in a timely manner. Immunizations are considered late if they are more than 30 days outside the recommended times. Your child will not be able to attend if they fall behind on their immunizations. Your child must also be vaccinated for the flu virus no later than November 15th each flu season (unless there is an issue with vaccine shortages). I require a copy of your child’s shot record before their first day in attendance, and an update record after each vaccination. Due to the risk of adverse reactions that can develop after receiving immunizations, children may not attend day care the same day they receive immunizations so please schedule doctor appointments when it's convenient for you to take off because your child will not be able to return to daycare that same day.