Under no circumstances will parents be allowed to bring a sick child to my home. Sick children expose other children, as well as my family & myself, to the spread of their illness, & they require additional 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 he/she was returned to child care before full recovery or he/she was not picked up promptly upon notice of becoming ill, other parents will be unnecessarily inconvenienced.

If my family or I become ill due to exposure to a sick child, all of the children may need to arrange alternate care, & it is possible that I may lose a portion of my income.

Because this is so disruptive to other children & their families, as well as my own, your cooperation on this matter is extremely important.

The following illness policies will be strictly enforced, for the health, well-being & safety of all concerned.

Symptoms requiring removal from childcare:

Fever over 99 degrees Fahrenheit (A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to child care.), This means fever free without the aid of medication!

Keep your child home at least 24 hours after the onset of any of these illnesses:

Diarrhea (child must remain at home until stools are once again formed), Vomiting, Obvious Pain (may require a note from a Dr), Head Lice (Child must be Free of lice & nits prior to returning to child care),

Uncontrolled Coughing, & Runny Noses:

Your child may not be accepted if a persistent dry hacking/croup or barking cough is present.

Your child may be brought to childcare if he/she has the common cold. Nasal discharge of any color other than clear is not acceptable in childcare unless accompanied by a doctor’s note stating that he/she is not contagious.

If your child has a clear runny nose for more than one week, I may recommend that you use an over-the –counter medication at home to dry up the discharge.

Yellow or green nasal discharge is generally a sign of illness such as an infection of the sinuses, a foreign body present, or a serious illness.

Eye Irritations & Rash:

Any excessive white, green or yellow discharge, matted or crusty red eyes are not acceptable in childcare. Also unexplained rash is not allowed.

Excessive Crankiness:

If a Child is irritable, excessive whining, wants to be constantly held, or requires more attention than I can provide without jeopardizing the health, safety, or well being of the other children in my care. You or your emergency contacts may be called to pick up the child.

Your child will not be accepted into childcare if he/she has had any of the above symptoms within the last 12 hours. A sick child should be allowed to recover fully after an illness so that other children in the group do not risk exposure and so that the child is able to participate fully in activities.

If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will notify you immediately. You are required to pick up your child within 1 hour of notification. If you cannot be reached then your emergency contacts will be called.

Even if you provide me with a Dr's note, I reserve the right to determine when a child should be sent home due to illness. Please notify me as soon as possible when your child becomes ill so that I can notify the other families & observe my own family for symptoms.

If your child is thought to have a contagious disease, you will be notified & asked to pick him/her up immediately. Your child will be isolated & made comfortable until you arrive.

Your child will be accepted back into care as soon as your child is no longer contagious. This may require a Doctors note. Many times the childcare may get blamed for the illness of a child, meaning that I have "allowed" sick children to come here.

Parents may not stop to think that when sick children are brought to my home, my entire family is at risk of exposure. How would you feel if another parent brought their sick child & exposed your child?

I will always respect your need to be at work. I ask, however, that when deciding if your child should be at home, you give consideration to the other children. Ask yourself how you would feel if another child were as ill as your child.

Would you want your well child exposed to these symptoms?