Children and families in child care are exposed to a myriad of illnesses. We take theutmost of precautions to ensure that germs don’t spread amongst the children at UDCC,however, unfortunately, illness in child care is unpreventable. In order to promote thehealth and safety of our children, families and staff, children with any of the followingsymptoms are not permitted to remain in care:
1. Fever of at least 100 º F as read under arm (axillary temp.) accompanied by one ormore of the following:• diarrhea or vomiting• earache• headache• signs of irritability or confusion• sore throat• rash• fatigue that limits participation in daily activities
2. Vomiting: 2 or more occasions within the past 24 hours.3. Diarrhea:
3 or more watery stools within the past 24 hours or any bloody stool.
4. Rash, especially with fever or itching.
5. Eye discharge or conjunctivitis (pinkeye) until clear or until 24 hours of antibiotictreatment.
6. Sick appearance, not feeling well, and/or not able to keep up with program activities.
7. Open or oozing sores, unless properly covered and 24 hours has passed sincestarting antibiotic treatment, if antibiotic treatment is necessary.
8. Lice or scabies:Head lice: until no nits are present.Scabies: until after treatment is begun.
Children are considered “ill” when they have exhibited any of the symptoms listed aboveOR when they appear to be too uncomfortable to participate. Ill children are separatedfrom the group and cared for by administrative and/or support staff in the UDCC office.Parents/guardians/emergency contacts are notified, and children remain in the centeroffice until a parent/guardian/emergency contact can pick them up. Sick children areoffered their naptime mats, blankets, comfort items from home and water.
We understand that the reason children are in our care is because their parents go towork, which is why getting sick can be stressful – not only for children, but also forparents who have to leave work in order to care for them. However, it is our experiencethat children who return to school without adequate time to rest and recuperate remainsick and almost invariably present symptoms that would require them to be sent home.It is for this reason that a child must be free of fever – without the use of fever-reducingmedication (such as Tylenol or aspirin) – for 24 hours or have completed a full 24 hoursof antibiotic treatment prior to returning the child to care. If there is any question aboutthe child’s ability to return to school, a physician’s note may be required.
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