Sick Policy Essay

Family Child Care Policy

Health Matters
Illness:
Under no circumstance is a sick child to attend Tina’s Daycare. The children should be

allowed to recover fully from an illness in the comfort of their own home. The other children

in care are exposed to any disease your child may bring into the home. If you are unable to

remain home with your child, it is your responsibility to make substitute childcare

arrangements. Obviously, it is not possible to prevent the spread of all illness. However,

minimizing exposure and providing good hygienic practices in the daycare home are means

by which we can limit the problem and the resulting inconvenience. Parents will inform

provider of any communicable diseases in the family. Accordingly, for the benefit of all

involved, the following policies will be strictly enforced:

SYMPTOMS REQUIRING REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM CHILD CARE:

Fever: Fever is defined as having a temperature over 98.6°F taken under the arm, over 99.5°F taken

orally, or over 100.4°F taken rectally. 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 last 4 hours.

* As for infants with fevers and/or diarrhea and as it pertains to teething, I will only accept a child with

these symptoms back into care after the child has seen a doctor and a note is sent from the doctor

stating that these symptoms are due to teething same applies for allergies.

Vomiting any vomiting, you will be required to pick your child up immediately.

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.

Unexplained Rash

Excessive Crankiness: Child is irritable, excessive whining or crying, wants constantly to be held, or

requires more attention than I 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. If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will notify you 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.

I reserve the right to determine when a child should be sent home due to illness.

Children may return to care 24 hours after symptoms of illness end or with written

Authorization from your doctor stating the name of illness and when child may return to

Childcare. Please notify me as soon as possible when your child becomes ill so that I may

notify other parents.

If your child is thought to have a communicable disease, you will be notified and asked to pick

him/her up. He/she will be isolated from the other children and given special attention and comfort

until you arrive. Your child will be accepted back into care when no longer contagious. All other

parents will be notified of the possibility of a communicable disease and what symptoms to watch for.

If someone in my family has any of the above symptoms, I will call you the previous evening, or as

soon as I am aware of the situation, so that you may determine whether or not you want your child

exposed to such symptoms. However, I reserve the right to ask you to make other arrangements if I

feel the illness (es) in my family will hinder the quality of care for your child. If I specifically request

that you find alternate care on any given day, then I will not require payment. However, absences by

your choice qualify as you’re sick or absent days and are to be paid as stated above. I do not expect to

be paid when I am not available for care due to illness. However, I have set aside time in my schedule

to accommodate your schedule and feel that I should be compensated for the time that I am available.

Many times, the childcare may get blamed for the illness of a child, meaning that I have “allowed”

sick children to come here. Parents may not stop to think that when sick children are brought to my

home, my entire family is also at risk of exposure. How would you feel if another parent brought their

sick child and exposed your child? I will always respect your need to be at work. I ask, however, that

when deciding if your child should be at home, you consider the other children. Ask yourself how you

would feel if another child were as ill as your child. Would you want your well child exposed to these

symptoms? Further, there are times when a child is not that ill, but is terribly uncomfortable, and

really needs some “one on one”. At those times I strongly urge you to consider keeping your child at

home. If your child is unable to participate in the normal activities of the daily schedule, then your

child must stay home

Medications:

No child will be given any medication, prescription or over the counter, unless the parent

gives written permission. Prescription medication shall have the child’s name, name of

medication, Doctor’s name, name of pharmacy, prescription number, date, and directions for

administering. The medication must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy. I

have Permission to Administer Medication forms to be filled out each time your child will need

medicine to be administered.

Sunscreen & Diaper Ointments:

I the provider have permission to apply sunscreen to your child as well as diaper ointments as

needed.

CLEANLINESS & HYGIENE:

I do my best to maintain strict cleanliness and hygiene standards. Children’s hands are washed

before and after meals and after toileting. If parents provide a toothbrush and toothpaste, teeth will be

brushed, as well. I wash my hands frequently. Infants sleep in separate cribs or pack and plays.

Highchairs and tables are disinfected after each use.