Exclusion of Sick Children Policy
A child with any of the following conditions or behaviors will be excluded from center sessions. If the child becomes sick while at the center, the child will be isolated, whenever possible, from other children in care and the parent/guardian will be called immediately. A sick child will be supervised at all times and provided with appropriate care. The center will exclude any child:
· With reportable illness or conditions that the Commissioner of Health determines to be contagious and/or a physician determines has not had sufficient treatment to reduce the health risk to others.
· With chicken pox until the child no longer has an elevated temperature and the lesions are crusted over.
· Having a vomiting illness (2 or more episodes of vomiting in the previous 24 hours) until vomiting resolves or until a health care provider determines the cause of the vomiting is not contagious and the child is not in danger of dehydration.
· Who has diarrhea of three (3) loose stools consecutively. (Diarrhea is watery stools, not just looser than normal and is not attributed to teething or new food items – infant/toddlers).
· Who has purulent conjunctivitis (pink eye). The child can return once treatment has been initiated or as determined by their provider.
· Who has a bacterial or strep infection (such as streptococcal pharyngitis or impetigo) and has not completed 24 hours of prescribed medication.
· Who has unexplained lethargy.
· Who has lice, ringworm or scabies that is untreated and contagious to others.
· Who has a 101 degree Fahrenheit or higher temperature of undiagnosed origin (before fever-reducing medication is given), the child’s temperature has to be normal for 24 hours before he/she can return (example: ear infection).
· Who has an undiagnosed rash with accompanying fever and behavior changes or a rash attributed to a contagious illness or condition.
· Who has significant respiratory distress (harsh cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).
· Who is not able to participate in child care program activities with reasonable comfort.
· Who requires more care than program staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children in care.
NOTE: If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the Program will contact the designated party listed on the child’s Emergency Care Authorization Form.
Communicable Diseases
If the child has any communicable disease (including scabies, lice, impetigo, ringworm or chicken pox), the parent/guardian must notify the Program office within 12 hours (excluding weekends or holidays). The Program should be advised on what the disease is, the day it started, and treatment administered. County Health Departments will be notified of the communicable disease at the discretion of the Health Coordinator and Director.