Student Health
1 – All children must be in good health and free of communicable diseases or illnesses on each day of attendance. Parents are required to inform the school of any and all acute or chronic medical conditions, potential medical or allergic risks, and any medications being administered for medical issues.
2 – Parents are required to contact the school if the child has been given any fever reducing medication prior to arrival. Parents should include the type of medication administered and explain why the child was medicated.
3 – The school makes every effort to avoid sending a child home. However, if an injury or concerning symptoms emerge during the day, the school personnel are not qualified to diagnose medical occurrences or determine a medical course of action. Consequently, for the safety of each child and the classroom environment, we are required to request a child be picked up by a parent or emergency contact if in any doubt of a health-related risk or concern.
4 – Parents who may be inaccessible during the day must have contingency plans in place to have their child picked up promptly in the event their child becomes ill.
5 – In accordance with state regulations, the school is required to notify all families who may have come into contact with a contagious illness. Therefore, parents must inform the school if their child contracts a contagious disease or infection and keep the child home until they have fully recovered. Please communicate details of the symptoms or diagnosis via email or a Child Pilot message.
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
1 – Parents are required to inform and update the administration about all allergies and dietary restrictions for their child. If an allergy is indicated, the school will create a personalized Allergy Care Plan. A copy of this plan will be provided to the child’s teacher and any other adult responsible for the child during the day. Please note that this plan may require authorization from a medical professional.
2 – The Allergy Care Plan is valid only for the current school year and must be updated before the beginning of the next academic year or whenever any changes are made to the plan.
Medical Emergencies
1 – In the event of a suspected or confirmed medical emergency or injury, the school will immediately call emergency services (911) and notify the child’s parents. If we are unable to reach either parent, we will then contact the emergency contacts and/or physician on record.
2 – For any injury or medical emergency, the school will provide an injury report detailing the incident.
3 – If a child needs to be transported by ambulance and the parent cannot arrive at the school before the ambulance departs, a staff member will accompany the child, bringing their student file with family contact and medical information. While we will inform emergency personnel of the parents’ preferred hospital, the final destination may be determined by the nature or severity of the emergency.
4 – The school does not assume financial or legal responsibility for decisions related to contacting or requesting emergency services based on concerns for a child’s well-being, health, or safety.
5 – If parents arrive at the school before the ambulance departs, they may request a staff member to provide additional information and, if available, accompany them to the hospital.
6 – Please note that CPR and First Aid certified staff members are always present at the school. Staff members have also completed an anaphylaxis workshop, and all infant and toddler teachers have received updated SIDS training.
Illnesses: When to Stay Home
Please keep your child at home if she or he shows one or more of the symptoms below. Your child is unlikely to be healthy enough to attend school if there is:
- A temperature (non-medicated) of 101 degrees or more
- Deep or persistent coughing
- Listlessness or unusual fatigue
- An upset stomach
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- An undetermined rash
- An undetermined swelling of any body part
- Possible sign of pink eye
- Whenever it is debatable on whether they are healthy enough to attend school
Returning to School after an Illness
The following table outlines common illnesses and the criteria that must be met before a child can return to school. These requirements are set by the health care regulations of the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE).
Fever and Vomiting
A child must be fever-free (without medication) and symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
COVID-19
Those who have tested positive should be symptom-free for at least 48 hours before returning. If your child returns to school before the 10th day from the onset of symptoms, we ask that they wear a mask until the 10th day.
Upper respiratory tract infection and flu
A child’s time at home depends upon the severity of the illness and physician’s instructions. In the case of the common cold symptoms (runny nose, coughing), it is advisable to keep the child home until the acute state subsides, usually one or two days.
Diarrhea
The child may return to school 24 hours after the last episode.
Strep Throat
The child must be on medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
The child must be on medication for at least 48 hours, and there must be no more “sand” around the area of the infected eye before returning to school.
Chicken pox
A child must remain home for seven to eight days from the onset of blisters or two days after the last blisters have scabbed over. Incubation averages from 13 to 17 days.
Undiagnosed Rash
A child must receive treatment or clearance from a medical doctor before returning to school.
Croup
Depending on the severity of the case, the child may return to school when the deep, “barking” cough has subsided.
Scarlet Fever
A child may return to school after antibiotic treatment has rendered the child completely recovered.
Impetigo
A child may return to school after treatment has rendered the condition no longer contagious. The doctor may allow the child to return to school if the area is treated and covered.
Ringworm/pinworm
With proper treatment and if the areas of concern or completely covered, a child may return to school.
Head lice
A child must be louse and nit free to return to school. Continue checking the child to verify the condition is under control.
Children may return to school after they are free of symptoms and the above criteria are met. However, we also ask parents to ensure children generally feel well enough to return to school.
Please note that this list is currently under review and is subject to change pending updates from our licensing body, the DCDEE.
