APPENDIX H – Illness Policy

(Note that this policy is printed as it is written for parents.)

We understand that children occasionally get sick and that your child’s illness is understandably a matter of great concern. However, if your child exhibits symptoms of short-term, contagious diseases which can be transmitted through casual contact (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, frequent cough, heavy running nose, frequent sneezing, etc.) during a 24-hour period prior to scheduled attendance at the Center, your child should be kept at home until the symptoms of illness have been absent for 24 hours or a note from the physician accompanies the child stating that your child does not have a contagious condition and is able to participate fully in all activities at the Center. Children with vomiting, diarrhea, or a temperature of 101ºF oral or above are considered too ill to attend. If you have been contacted to pick up your child due to one or more symptoms of illness, your child may not return before 24 hours without written notification from the child’s licensed health practitioner. Additionally, your child should exhibit a fever of less than 101ºF oral for at least 24 hours, without medication taken to reduce fever, before returning to Hoya Kids. When taking an axillary temperature (under the arm), as we do at the Center, an additional degree must be added to equal an oral temperature.

Parents or guardians of a child who has a medical diagnosis by a physician as having a life-threatening disease are expected to notify the Director that such a condition exists. The Director or designee will consult with the individual’s family primary care physician, and the DC Public Health Department to determine whether this child is well enough to be in child care, poses no significant risk to others and that Hoya Kids Learning Center can meet the needs of the child. A child’s right to privacy will be respected and personnel will be advised of the child’s condition on a need-to-know basis. 

Should your child develop or display obvious symptoms of illness or display what would be considered abnormal behavior (such as refusal to eat, unusual fatigue, excessive irritability) while at the Center, a decision will be made by the Director or designee, that he or she may not be permitted to remain at the Center for the duration of the day. In such an instance, “early pick-up” is required to take place as soon as possible, and no later than one hour from the time that the staff person calls you to advise you of the need for early pick-up. Failure to pick up your child within one hour of notification will result in a doubled late fee. Staff will make repeated efforts to contact you, or your child’s designated alternative emergency contact, in order to assure that notice of the need for pick-up is received. You can facilitate this effort by taking steps to assure that you can be reached in the event of an emergency. Please be prepared to follow the Director’s decision regarding early pick-up. The Director and staff realize that keeping your child at home may be inconvenient; however, when every parent cooperates, the spread of illness is kept to a minimum.

It should be noted that any child with an undiagnosed or contagious skin or eye condition cannot attend the Center. You must notify the Center in the event that your child is diagnosed as having any communicable disease/infection (e.g. strep throat, scarlet fever, head lice, chicken pox, measles). A notice will be posted informing parents of any communicable disease to which their children may have been exposed which will describe the disease, infection period, and when an infected child will be allowed to return to the Center.

In order to return to the Center after an illness, your child must be well enough to eat meals and snacks, go outdoors, and be fully able to participate in all activities in the Center.

Our staff will call you when it seems that your child is developing a health problem. We hope that such early communication can facilitate the resolution of health problems as they occur and thereby prevent the spread of illness.

THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED ILLNESS POLICIES WILL BE FIRMLY ENFORCED.