Sick Child Policy
This facility is operated as a “well-child” facility. Every course of action is taken to reduce the spread of illness by encouraging hand washing and following other universal sanitary practices. Under no circumstance may a parent bring a sick child to the child care program. If a child shows any signs of illness (see SYMPTOMS REQUIRING REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM CARE) or is unable to participate in the normal routine and regular activities, the child should be kept home. Sick children expose other children and the teachers to the spread of germs and require additional care and attention that may not be available.
Children will be visually screened when they arrive in the morning. In the event a child becomes ill and needs to be picked up, the parent(s) will be called and are expected to pick the child up within one hour (60 minutes). If the parent(s) cannot be reached, or have not arrived within an hour, the emergency contract person will be called and asked to pick the child up.
In accordance with state regulations and best practices, a sick child will not be permitted to return to care for 24 hours after condition has returned to normal. The child may return 24-48 hours (depending upon the illness) after they received the first dose of an antibiotic, or as otherwise indicated by a doctor’s note. If you aren’t sure about whether or not to bring your child to care, please call to discuss it. Confirmed allergy related symptoms and non-communicable illnesses typically will not require exclusion.
Symptoms requiring removal of child from care:
NOTE: A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100°F or higher taken under the arm (or 101°F taken orally or 102°F taken rectally). For children 4 months or younger, the lower rectal temperature of 101°F is considered a fever. A child must be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to care. Please note that this means the child must be fever free without the aid of Tylenol or other fever reducing medication.
- Fever AND sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability, or confusion
- Diarrhea: runny, water, bloody stools, or 2 or more loose stools within last 4 hours
- Vomiting: 2 or more times in a 24 hour period
- Breathing trouble: sore throat, swollen glands, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing
- Runny nose (other than clean), draining eyes or ears
- Frequent scratching of body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm
- Child is irritable, continuously crying, requires more attention that I can provide without risking the health, safety or well-being of the other children in my care.
In accordance with Georgia state rules, the current communicable disease chart of recommendations for exclusion of sick children from care and their readmission will be followed. Any cases or suspected cases of notable communicable diseases listed on the disease chart will be reported to the local county health department. Ill children may return to care 24 hours AFTER symptoms of the illness end which means if the child is sent home with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting they cannot return until they have been symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medications.
Parents will be notified if a communicable disease is introduced into the center. Parents are required to notify the center immediately if their child contracts a communicable disease. Children with a communicable disease cannot attend the center and will not be re-admitted without written permission from a physician.
In the event of an emergency, your child will be transported to:
Eastside Medical Center1700 Medical Way
Snellville, GA, 30078
770-979-0200
Injuries
When a child is injured, regardless of the nature of the injury, an accident report is filled out at the time of the incident. First-Aid is administered following national best practices/standards.
- If the injury requires further evaluation and/or treatment, the parents will be notified immediately.
- Any time a child has a head injury, no matter how slight, a call is placed to the parent.
- In the event of serious injury, we will contact 911 (your child’s medical authorization form must always be kept current for this reason).
- Any costs or charges for 911 emergencies will be the sole responsibility of the parent.
Medication
The center does not dispense medication. The facility will however dispense medication for students who have routinely been prescribed medication by a physician for respiratory or bronchial related conditions. All inhalers or vials of medications for nebulizers must have a prescription number, otherwise we will not dispense. Any adverse reaction to medication will be documented, and parent/s will be notified immediately. Please do not send any medications in your child’s bag, coat pocket or leave any medication in your child’s cubby or storage.
For Prescription medication, the parent/guardian must complete and sign the AUTHORIZATION form for the medication. The signed form expires seven (7) days from the date of the signature. Prescription medication must be in the original container with the child’s name, physicians name, date, pharmacy name and phone number with clear instructions on frequency and amount to be given to the child. No injections will be administered with the exception of EPI-Pens.
Please remember to retrieve your child’s medication at the end of the day.