Sick Child Policy

Under no circumstances may a parent bring a sick child to school, if the child shows any signs of illness (see list below), or is unable to participate in the normal routine and program. Sick children will expose all children and staff members who they come in contact with. These people can in turn expose the other children. Sick children want care from their parents in the comfort of their own homes. If other children become ill due to exposure to your sick child, either because they returned to before full recovery or because they were not picked up promptly upon notice of becoming ill, other parents will be unnecessarily inconvenienced. Because this is disruptive to other children and their families, your cooperation on this issue is extremely important.

Every effort is taken to reduce the spread of illness by encouraging hand washing and other sanitary practices. If your child is unable to participate in the normal activities of the day, including being able to play outside, then your child

Fever:Children will be sent home if their temperature is 100.0 or higher and must stay home the next day for observation. Children must be free of fever (any temperature above 98.6 degrees) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. The same policy applies if your child develops a fever at home. They must be fever free (any temperature above 98.6 degrees) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing

Rash: Any rash other than a common diaper rash or skin irritation will require that child to be sent home for an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing of exactly what it is. They may return to school based on that written doctor's evaluation, and clearance that it is not contagious.

Conjunctivitis (pink evel: Children will be sent home if there appears to be an unusual amount of discharge from or irritation to their eye(s) and must stay home the next day for observation.

Before returning to school they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing of exactly what it is.

If the diagnosis is BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVISIS children must have received at least 24 hours of treatment.

If the diagnosis is VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS your child may return AS LONG AS THERE IS NO DISCHARGE.

If in fact they do not have "pink eye" we need a doctor's note with a diagnosis and a clearance

Thick White, Green or Yellow Discharge: Children will be sent home if they appear to have any thick white, green or yellow discharge. This is often indicative of an infection and they must stay home the next day for observation. Before of returning to school they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing and at least 24 hours treatment. If in fact they do not have an infection we need a doctor's note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a clearance that it is nothing contagious. The Department of Health and most doctors are of the opinion that once on antibiotics for 24 hours, the discharge is no longer contagious even though it may persist for up to two weeks.

Diarrhea: Children will be sent home if they have two or more loose bowel movements in one day and must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to school (after the day of observation) children must be free from diarrhea for 24 hours with at least 1 regular bowel movement. If your child has one or more loose bowel movements on their first day back they will again be sent home.

Vomiting: Children will be sent home if they vomit and must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to school (after the day of observation) children must be symptom free with no vomiting for at least 24 hours.

Persistent Hacking Cough: Children will be sent home if they have a persistent hacking cough and must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to school they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor writing and at least 24 hours of treatment. If in fact they do not require any treatment we need a doctor's note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a clearance that it is not contagious.

Lice: Children will not be readmitted until 24 hours after treatment and must be nit free.

It is your responsibility to monitor your child for signs or symptoms of COVID 19 daily.

 

Children will be asked to stay home or return home if any of the following applies: Has cold, flu, covid and/or other known possible contagious virus/disease symptoms as stated in the Handbook Has or have had a fever of 100.4 or higher (may return after child has been 24 hours fever free WITHOUT fever reducing medicine)

Have come in contact with others who have COVID-19

To prevent the spread of COVID-19: Children with signs/symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to others with COVID-19 will be asked to stay home Children who develop signs/symptoms of COVID-19 while at the program will be immediately separated from others and the program staff will contract the family member and/or emergency contact to pick the childup Children and staff will practice handwashing upon arrival to the program, before meals and snacks, after outdoor play, after using the bathroom, prior to going home, after nose blowing or assisting a child with blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, throw tissues in the trash, and clean hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water is not readily available Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If an enrolled child or employee tests positive for COVID-19: The local public health department and the Department of Children and Families Bureau of Early Care Regulation will be contacted. Community Preschool will follow their guidance for next steps.

The program will notify families of any confirmed staff or child cases of COVID-19. If there is a case of COVID-19 among children or staff, we may consider a short-term (1 week) or long-term (two weeks or more) closure to allow for sufficient cleaning and disinfection. Our decision to stay open or to close will be based on recommendations from our local health department.

Returning to a child care facility after suspected COVID-19 symptoms

If a staff member or child has symptoms of COVID-19 or is in close contact with someone with COVID-19, they can return to the child care facility after we receive and share the recommendations from our local health department. The virus variants are changing as are the recommendations.

To report your sick child, please email the office at rpcpsoffice@gmail.com or contact your child's teacher via their

Class Dojo. You may also leave us a message at 908-245-8651.

have read and agree to abide by the Sick Child Policy.

I agree that will not give my child fever reducing medications that could mask a fever.

I agree that will notify the center immediately if my child who attends the center tests positive or has come in contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.

I understand that my child may be asked to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose should they display any signs of illness as stated above, both inside the school and outside the school (playground or blacktop area), during the school's operating hours, with the exception of snack, lunch, and nap time.