Management of Illness

The State of Ohio requires that all children have on file a medical form signed by a doctor or certified nurse practitioner. The medical form shall verify a date of exam within the past twelve months and be on file within thirty days of the child's admission and every thirteen months there after, until the children are attending a grade of kindergarten or above. All children must have an Emergency Transportation Authorization form signed by the parent.

• At all times the center is in operation, we have at least one person available who is trained in Fist Aid, the management of Communicable Disease. Each child is observed by this person as the child enters the group.
  
  
• We follow the Communicable Disease Chart provided by the State of Ohio Department of Health, which is posted in the Director's Office.
  
  
• Ill children will not be admitted to the center. If a child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be discharged to the parents immediately. We ask the parents to pick-up their child within forty-five minutes of the initial phone call.
  
  
• Symptoms observed which require isolation and immediate discharge:
  
  
  • Temperature of at least 100° F when in combination with any other sign or symptom of illness.
  • Diarrhea (3 or more abnormally loose stools within a twenty-four hour period.
  • Severe coughing causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound.
  • Difficult or rapid breathing.
  • Yellowish skin or eyes.
  • Redness of the eye, obvious discharge, matted eyelashes, that are burning and itching
  • Untreated infected skin patches, unusual spots or rashes.
  • Unusually dark urine, and or gray or white stool
  • Stiff neck with elevated temperature.
  • Evidence of untreated lice, scabies, or other parasitic infections.
  • Sore throat or difficulty swallowing.
  • Vomiting more than one time or when accompanied with other symptoms.

The Director may use her discretion on all matters of health. At her discretion he may address issues, have parents remove a child and . or request a Doctor's written medical release.

Specific communicable diseases will be reported to the Lakewood Health Department as regulated by the Ohio Department of Public Health. These diseases include, but are not limited to head lice, measles, scarlet fever and chicken pox.

• If the children are exposed to a communicable disease, a not will be posted in each classroom or written onto the children's daily information sheet.
  
  
• Children need to be on antibiotics a FULL 24 HOURS, and we would prefer ( and many doctors recommend) a Full 48 Hours, before being admitted to the center.

• PLEASE NOTIFY THE CENTER by 9:30a.m. if your child is not attending.

• Teachers and children are required to wash their hands frequently.

We understand that it is difficult for parents when their child is ill. Most of us are working parents too! We NEED YOUR COOPERATION to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILDREN WHO ARE ILL OR HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS INTO THE CENTER. Whenever possible, give your child an extra day to recuperate at home.

IF YOUR CHILD BECOMES ILL DURING THE DAY:

• A parent will be contacted immediately. The child is expected to be picked up IMMEDIATELY ( WITHIN THE HOUR) by the parent or person authorized to pick up the child. Please inform us o changes in phone numbers, addresses, and if you are traveling in or out of office.

• The child will be isolated on their cot in a safe and convenient space. An infant will be isolated in his / her crib.

• The child will be observed carefully for worsening condition.

• No child shall ever be left alone. A staff member will be within sight and hearing of the child at all times.

• The child's linen will be sent home with the parent to be washed and disinfected.

CHILDREN SENT HOME WILL NOT BE RE-ADMITTED TO THE CENTER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CHILD NEEDS TO BE FREE OF ALL SYMPTOMS FOR A FULL 24 HOUR PERIOD BEFORE BEING READMITTED TO THE CENTER .

Exceptions to this will be made only if the parent provides a note of explanation signed by a physician that the child is not contagious.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

Our policy does not allow us to administer any fever reducing medicines or cough or cold medications, food supplements and modified diets without written instructions of a licensed dentist on the prescribed form provided by the department. LCCC also must have written instructions from the custodial parent or guardian on the form.

We will however, apply diaper rash ointment and sun screen with discretion.

Prescription medicine will be administered when the custodial parent or guardian properly filled out and signed the medication form. The prescription label must contain the child's first name, current date (within the last twelve months), the exact dosage to be given and the means of administration. The prescription label must be attached to the original container.

School age children will follow the same policy as all the other children attending LCCC in the administration of medicines, cough or cold medications, or use of inhalers.

There will be no deviation from this policy.

Special Circumstances

If after repeated efforts a difficult situation cannot be rectified, the parent or center may terminate enrollment with a two-week notice. Parenting brings joy, triumphs, milestones, questions and concerns. We are honored to share in your child's early years. Please feel free to speak to us. We are informed of local community resources, nutritional information, parenting , and discipline theories and other childhood issues.

Sometimes in the center, it is difficult for us to talk at any length. Arrangements can be made to talk in the evening or morning hours. The director and teacher's home phone numbers are available upon request.

Communication is one of our most valuable tools. Most of the children we serve are preverbal so it is up to us. Communication allows us to better care for your children.