Illness Policy - Quick Reference

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ALERT STAFF OF ANY AILMENT YOUR CHILD HAS OR RECENTLY HAD, REGARDLESS IF TREATMENT HAS ALREADY COMENCED OR IS COMPLETE. (IE. HEAD LICE) 

In order for us to provide an environment that promotes the health and well being of the families, children and staff in our care we have a strict illness policy. You must refrain from bringing children who are ill or have been ill within the last 24 hours (diarrhea or vomiting and/or fever.) This policy is established with the direction of the Department of Community Services and Public Health Services for all licensed child care facilities in the province. 

Frequent hand washing and sanitization within classrooms helps to prevent the sharing of germs but ideally, prevention is the best medicine. Moreover, when children are sick, they want care from their parents in the comfort of their own homes. Should your child become ill while here, we will call you to make arrangements to pick them up. Your cooperation on this issue is extremely important. The following exclusion criteria will be strictly enforced: 

Vomiting

Unexplained Rash

Fever: Fever is defined as having a temperature over 99°F taken under the arm, over 100°F taken orally, or over 100.4°F taken in the ear. A child needs to be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to childcare; that means the child is fever free without the aid of Tylenol or any other fever reducing substance. 

Diarrhea: Runny or watery stools, or 2 or more loose stools within 3 hours, or one episode with a fever. Children may not return to daycare until 24 hours after the last trace of diarrhea. 

Runny nose: Your child may be brought to care if he/she has a common cold (slight cough, clear runny nose, occasional sneezing). Discharge of any color other than clear is not acceptable in childcare. Runny and/or 

Crusty Eyes: Watery, matted, and/or red/pink eyes are not acceptable in childcare. 

Excessive Crankiness: Child is irritable, excessive whining or crying, wants constantly held, or requires more attention than we can provide without jeopardizing the health, safety, or well being of the other children in my care. Your child will not be accepted into childcare if he/she has had any of the above symptoms within the last 24 hours. A sick child should be allowed to recover fully after an illness so that other children in the group do not risk exposure and so that the child is able to fully participate in childcare activities. 

If you are unable to remain at home with your sick child it will be necessary for you to make alternative child care arrangements at your own expense. If your child becomes ill while in our care, you will be notified immediately. You are required to pick up your child within 60 minutes of notification. If you cannot be reached then your emergency contact will be called. If your child is out ill regular fees still apply. Staff use guidelines provided by the Department of Health as well as their discretion when determining when a child should be sent home due to illness. 

Children may return to care 24 hours after symptoms of illness end without the aid of medicine or with written authorization from your doctor stating the name of illness and when child may return to group care, with the exception of Hand Foot and Mouth (HFM.) We have had children misdiagnosed in the past, so it will be our discression. Please notify us as soon as possible when your child becomes ill so that we may alert the other parents. 

If your child is thought to have a communicable disease, you will be notified and asked to pick him/her up. They will be isolated from the other children and given special attention and comfort until you arrive. Your child will be accepted back into care only when they are no longer contagious. All other parents will be notified of the possibility of a communicable disease and what symptoms to watch for. 

Sibling Exclusion:  Siblings are not required to stay home unless an illness is deemed an outbreak. An outbreak is defined as an illness that is no longer contained to just one classroom and moves to another. 

Medications:  Both non-prescription and prescription medications, ointments, and creams can be given to your child if needed. Parents are required to fill out the proper forms and to supply all medications in their original containers. All written instructions shall be valid for six months unless a shorter time period is designated by the physician, dentist, or parent. These must be labeled with the child's name. 

When administering nonprescription medication, we must follow the manufacturers or physician’s written instructions for recommended dosage. We will not administer medication as a preventative measure. 

Medical Emergency:  In case of emergency, we will administer the necessary first aid. In a case whereby an ambulance is called, your child will be transported to the hospital designated on your Emergency Transportation Authorization form. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. You are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation, if required.