AppleTree Learning Center

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

Group child care facilities have increased incidents of illness because of the close contact children have with each other. AppleTree Learning Center provides care and a learning environment for children age 6 weeks through 13 years and is NOT staffed nor equipped to accommodate any clinical functions other than first aid. Also, our Intergenerational Program includes activities with the residents of Shepherd of the Valley Care Center, so not only must we consider the employees and children at our center, we must consider the residents, who are medically fragile as well. It is therefore, reasonable to exclude children who arrive noticeably ill. If during the course of the day, symptoms appear, it may be necessary to send sick children home. If notified by the Center that a child needs to go home or see a physician, the parent must remove the child within a reasonable amount of time. If after an hour, the parent (or a representative) has not arrived, the Director may be required to contact DFS.

The Director of AppleTree Learning Center is responsible for observing the health and development of children, handling illness, implementing accident prevention and emergency procedures, keeping health records complete and current, providing supervised isolation for a sick child until the arrival of a family member and informing parents of community resources. The Director is required by law to report some communicable diseases and any suspicions of abuse or neglect to proper authorities. Some or all of these duties may be shared with or delegated to other staff members. Continuing health consultation is sought from an RN, physician, other health care providers, and the Internet. The Director is aware of normal classroom activities, routines, and environments including outside play. Daily outside activity is necessary except in the most extreme weather conditions. Therefore, the regular classroom activities are taken into account when considering to exclude a child from care. If a child is not well enough to participate in outdoor activities, they should not be at the Center. If uncertain about whether the child's illness poses an increased risk to themselves or others, the child will be excluded until a physician notifies the center that the child may attend and a decision is made by the Director. It is the Director, NOT THE PARENT or PHYSICIAN, who makes the final determination about whether the child can attend the center.

Upon hire, if requested by the Director, each employee must submit a Physician's Statement Form completed by a health care professional stating that the employee is free of disease and serious mental/emotional disabilities and is able to care for children. Tuberculosis tests are done every two years. CPR certification is required annually. Impermeable gloves are used for diaper changes and whenever exposure to bodily fluids or blood may pose a potential health risk. Any employee who has been diagnosed with a contagious illness may be required to present a signed statement from the employee's physician stating they can return to work.

The responsibilities of AppleTree Learning Center include, but are not limited to: having staff and children wash hands frequently, recognizing symptoms of illnesses and enforcing the policies of the center, disinfecting frequently and on a regular basis, and teaching children to use their "germ catchers".

The responsibility of the parent is to notify the center personnel of any health care concerns, medical attention provided at any time (after the child was sent home, during the night, over the weekend), complete the Authorization for Dispensing Medications forms, and to abide by our policies.

In order to protect our children and staff, the center will adhere to the following policy using guidelines from the Natrona County Department of Health, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASE POLICY

This policy refers to persons (children, staff, and volunteers) who have an acute infectious process or short term illness.

It will be the policy of AppleTree Learning Center to follow the criteria listed below to ensure the healthiest environment for all children.

1. Parents/guardians of children who attend the center will be given a statement explaining the guidelines for acute infectious disease policy annually.

2. Children must be well enough to participate comfortably in the usual activities of the center and staff must be able to care for the child without that care interfering with the care of the other children.

3. Children must NOT be brought to the center if they have any of the following:

a) Fever of 100 degrees orally, (98.5 degrees when taken under the arm) or greater WITHOUT using Tylenol, Motrin, etc.

b) Diarrhea or vomiting

c) Skin rashes

d) Green or yellow discharge from their nose

e) Strep throat or Tonsilitis

f) Head lice

g) Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

h) Chronic cough, RSV, croup

3) To keep from spreading infectious conditions to other children and staff, this policy requires that we notify parents to come and pick up their child if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

a) Fever of above 98.5 degrees (taken under the arm) (Exceptions: children with immunization related fevers or teething need not be excluded from care if they are able to participate in daily routines.)

b) Vomiting or diarrhea

c) Infections including, but not limited to:

1) Strep throat

2) Impetigo

3) Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

4) Ringworm

5) Cold sores

6) Respiratory infections, RSV or Croup

7) Other skin infections

d) Generalized rashes

e) Head lice and scabies

f) Nasal Discharge: discharge which is thick and green or yellow, persisting longer than three days or accompanied by any of the following: persistent cough, eye drainage, or ear pain, in which case the child needs to see a physician.

4. Criteria to be followed BEFORE a child will be allowed to return to the center shall be:

a) Fever: Children must be without a fever for 24 hours (without the use of Motrin or Tylenol) before they may return to the center.

b) Vomiting and diarrhea: Children must be without these symptoms for a full 24 hours before returning to the center.

c) Infections: Children must be on antibiotics for a FULL 24 hours before returning to the center.

d) Rashes: Generalized rashes need to be diagnosed by a physician. Return to the center will be at the Director's discretion. Children with contagious rashes must be treated before returning to the center. A medical release to return to the center must be obtained from a physician or health care provider. Children with chicken pox should stay home until their sores dry (5-7 days). Children with Coxacki viral infection (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease) must stay home a minimum of three days.

e) Head lice: The child's hair must be treated and be free of lice and nits.

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