Well Child Policy
Our
school is dedicated to providing consistent, quality education and care
to all children and staff by maintaining a sanitary, healthy
environment. We strive to maintain wellness throughout TCS through the
prevention of airborne viruses and the spread of communicable diseases
and illnesses by:
· Providing sanitary wipes and spray
· Sanitizing toys and surfaces daily
· Contacting parents early for sick child pick-up
· Isolating contagious child in business office with a self-contained air handler
· Sending home staff members showing symptoms
· Installing ultraviolet bulbs on the major air handling system
TCS
expects parents to respond in a timely manner to the school’s concerns
and reports, and to follow the Well Child Policy guidelines regarding
their child’s departure from and return to the school. As parents, we
understand that you also expect the facility will be properly cleaned
and for the staff to use “best health practices” to prevent the spread
of illnesses.
If a child has a fever
of 100 degree or lower, a call will be placed to the
parent(s). However, if the temperature of a child is in excess of 100
degrees, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to come pick the
child up from school. The temperature will be determined by sanitary
thermometers kept in the front office of the school. The child will be
checked if a temperature is thought to have occurred and monitored
thereafter for improvement. Some exceptions for teething children may
be accommodated.
If a child is congested
with a head cold (i.e., clear mucus, no fever), we will administer
medicine as outlined below to maintain the child’s comfort. However, if
the child appears to have an infection (i.e., green mucus) or is having
respiratory problems, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to
come pick the child up from school for medical attention.
If a child is having an excessive number of bowel movements,
we will call the parent(s) after the second occurrence of diarrhea. If
the child continues to experience diarrhea, or after the third time,
the parent(s) will be notified to come pick the child up from school.
Children are most contagious early in these episodes and we appreciate
parents’ urgent and timely response.
If a child is vomiting
(other than eating related), the parent(s) will be called upon the
first session. If the child continues to vomit or after the second
time, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to come pick the child
up from school.
If a child appears to be excessively fussy and are lethargic (i.e.,
loss of energy and enthusiasm, abnormal behaviors or interactions), we
will call the parent(s) to notify them of our concern. If the child
continues to be abnormally uncomfortable and lethargic based on the
staff’s judgment of the child’s well-being, the parent(s) will be
notified of the need to come pick the child up from school.
Illnesses
Students
should not be sent to school with a fever. A child should be “fever
free” for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school
(other than teething). If a child contracts a contagious disease, the
parent should notify the school immediately so information related to
the illness may (or may not be) communicated to other parents and the
facilities can be appropriately sanitized. A child’s name will not be
disclosed in any communication regarding contagious disease.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is
a common virus responsible for mild symptoms of the common cold in
older children and adults. In infants and young children, RSV infection
may cause only mild cold symptoms; however, it may produce serious
lower respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia (lung
infection) and bronchiolitis(infection of the smaller airways).
It
is easily spread by physical contact. Touching, kissing and shaking
hands with an infected person can spread RSV. It is also spread by
sneezing or coughing and can live up to 6 hours on countertops and for
several hours on used tissues. RSV often spreads very quickly in
crowded households and preschool centers. Nearly all babies are exposed
to RSV by age 2.
“Fifth Disease” (Parvovirus B19) is
a common virus that results in a mild rash on the face and limbs and
may be accompanied by a low grade fever and/or cold-like symptoms.
Fifth disease is contagious during
the early part of the illness before the rash onset and symptoms appear
to be a cold. Therefore, by the time a rash is visible, the child is no
longer contagious. Fifth disease is considered a mild illness that resolves on its own in otherwise healthy children and adults.
Conjunctivitis, commonly
known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear
membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner
surface of the eyelids. It is a fairly common condition and usually
causes no danger to the eye or your child’s vision. The inflammation
can have many causes, the most common of which are infectious, allergic
and irritant.
Infectious
conjunctivitis is usually caused by either bacteria or viruses. All
types of infectious conjunctivitis are contagious and can spread from
one eye to the other by touching the eyes. The incubation time for
bacterial conjunctivitis is a few days. In viral cases, it can be up to
one week.
Return Policy
A child may return to school when he/she is symptom-free, medicated for twenty-four (24) hours
with antibiotics, or with a medical doctor’s authorization. In an
effort to provide flexibility to our working parents, we request and
assume that all parents will do what is in the best interest of the
child.
Dispersal of Medications
All medications should be left at
the front desk with a Medical Release Form filled out directing the
staff of the medicine type, amount to dispense, times needed, and other
pertinent information. All prescription medications must be in the
original container. Following the Department of Children and Families’
policy, we are unable to dispense over-the-counter medications to
children under the age of two without a doctor’s daily instructions.