Health

The health policy of the Child Development Center has been implemented for the well-being and safety of our children and staff.

Physical Examination

It is required by licensing that each child provide evidence of a physical examination within the last six months preceding enrollment in the center.  The center provides a form for this purpose to be signed by a licensed physician and placed in the child’s permanent record within two weeks of enrollment.  A complete immunization record is required to be on file on the first day of attendance.

Exclusion of Sick Children

A child exhibiting any of the following symptoms will be evaluated by a staff person upon arrival to determine whether or not he/she can remain at the center.  Parents and staff will jointly determine when it is appropriate for the child to return to the center.  Often an illness needs to be evaluated by a physician, medication prescribed and any period of contagion passed.  Often behavior will indicate when a child is ill.

1. FEVER – If 100 degrees or higher orally, or if child suffers from other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral change or undiagnosed rash.
2. SEVERE COUGHING – If the child gets red or blue in the face or makes high pitched croupy or whooping sounds.
3. RESPIRATION – Difficulty or rapid breathing especially important in infants under six months of age.
4. CONGESTION – Congestion that is severe.
5. VOMITING – If child vomits more than once or it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, behavioral change, abdominal pain or diarrhea.
6. DIARRHEA –More than one episode of loose, watery stools.  If it is not food related (i.e., child ate too much corn or drank too much apple juice), or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain or vomiting.
7. SORE THROAT OR TROUBLE SWALLOWING.
8. HEADACHE AND A STIFF NECK.
9. DISCOLORATION OF RUNNY NOSE – Indicates an infection and could be contagious.
10. RASH – Unusual spots or rashes.  
11. YELLOWISH SKIN OR EYES.
12. UNUSUALLY DARK, TEA COLORED URINE.
13. CHICKEN POX – If child has skin eruptions that are not yet scabbed over and possibly fever.  Please let us know immediately if your child comes down with chicken pox so we may inform other parents to watch their child for symptoms.
14. GREY OR WHITE STOOLS.
15. CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE) –  Pink eye tears, redness of eyelid lining, irritation, followed by swelling or discharge of pus.
16. INFECTED SKIN PATCH(ES), crusty, bright yellow, dry or gummy areas of the skin.
17. BEHAVIOR – If your child can’t seem to function, wants to sleep most of the time, doesn’t want to eat, is crying and generally acting miserable.  Please check your child for these symptoms before bringing him/her to the center.  Your child may be coming down with something.
18. LICE – If lice or nits are found in the child’s hair.  The child may return after he/she has been treated and is free of lice and nits.
19. SCABIES – If child has red, itchy areas in finger webbing, on the wrist or under the armpit, and says it also itches at night.  Child may return after treatment begins.
20. MEASLES – If child has a rash accompanied by flu symptoms.
21. PINWORM AND/OR RINGWORM – If child is itching in rectal area, especially at night (pinworm).  If child has a raised itchy spot resembling a hoop (ringworm).  Child may return after treatment begins.

A parent/guardian will be notified by telephone when a child displays any of the above symptoms. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the emergency party, designated by the parent/guardian, will be called.

The ill child will be isolated if necessary from the other children.  A cot is provided and the child is made as comfortable as possible.  PROMPT pick-up within one hour is necessary.

I have read the above policy and understand that my child cannot come to the center if he/she has any of these symptoms. I also understand that if he/she develops any of these symptoms while in the center, I will be contacted and will have to make arrangements for my child to be picked up within one hour.

Medications

A parent/guardian will sign a release form allowing medication to be administered at school.  This form must be signed for both prescription and non-prescription medication as follows:

Prescription Drugs – Must be labeled with name of patient (child’s name), name of physician, prescription number and date, name of medication, dosage and frequency.  Most medication schedules can be administered so that a child gets only one dose of the medication each day at the center.

Non-Prescription Drugs – Must be in the original container and labeled with the child’s name and instructions for administration including the times and amounts for dosage.  Possible side effects must be listed on the medication form.  Over-the-counter medication will be administered for a maximum of five consecutive days within a two-week period; continued administration of the over-the-counter drugs will require authorization from a medical doctor.

Dosage and recommended non-prescription drugs may only be administered according to the recommended dosage and ages listed without a doctor’s note.

Communicable Disease

If a child is exposed to or contracts a communicable disease, it is essential that this information be reported to the director.   Information of possible exposure to a communicable disease will be posted for the class(es) involved.  If a child will be absent from the center because of illness, the teacher should be notified.

Incident/Injury

If an incident or injury occurs with a child, the following procedures take place:

Minor (minor bruise or scrape that does not break the skin)

• Apply basic first aid, access the injury.
• Wash with soap/water or plain water.
• Apply cold compress if needed.
• Apply band-aid if needed.
• Give TLC.
• Fill out Incident /Injury Report.
• Copy of the report is placed in the child’s cubby.

Major (injury which breaks the skin and/or produces unusual swelling, loss of consciousness or unexplained pain)

• Using basic first aid, access the injury.
• Contact Department of Public Safety.
• Director or assistant director and/or other staff member for help.
• Keep child calm and comfortable.
• Contact parents for instructions.
• Call 911, if necessary.

Staff are certified in CPR and Basic First Aid.

Severe/Life-Threatening Allergies

Children who experience severe/life-threatening allergies that may require SCC staff to administer emergency treatment must have the following documents on file at the time of enrollment:

1. A signed copy of SCC’s Authorization for Emergency Care for Children With Severe Allergies.  This form must be filled out completely by the child’s physician and parent(s)/guardian(s) and must be updated every six months.
2. A signed copy of SCC’s Release of Waiver of Liability for Administering Emergency Treatment to Children With Severe Allergies.

Forms are available in the office upon request.

Adult Health

All adults who work with children in the center will be required to submit annual results of a tuberculin test and physical examination prior to service in the center.

Child Abuse and Neglect

If there is a reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect, individuals working with children are required by law to report such cases to the appropriate authorities.

The following procedures must be followed by teachers and staff members to report suspected abuse or neglect:

• Teachers are required to notify the director immediately.
• A written report is submitted to the director with a detailed account of the incident, including date, time, names of individuals involved, the child’s name, age, address of parent(s) along with the nature and extent of the injuries, abuse or neglect.
• The director observes the child along with the reporting teacher and a determination is made about a formal report.
• The director notifies the St. Charles Community College vice president for human resources. 
• Counsel may be consulted when necessary.

The CDC director, with the teacher, will be responsible for making the report.  Missouri law mandates that any person suspecting child abuse or neglect must report the incident.  The toll free number is 1-800-392-3738.

Absolute confidentiality is required concerning any report of child abuse or neglect.

The CDC director may immediately suspend with pay or terminate any personnel at the CDC if the action is necessary to ensure safety, health and/or welfare of the children, parents and/or staff.  Investigation with regard to alleged or proven child abuse, neglect and/or moral turpitude will be done by the director, the vice-president for academic and student affairs, and the vice president for human resources.  Findings will be turned over to the authorities.

Nutrition 

Menus are planned based on USDA guidelines.  Copies of the menu are posted on the parent communication board. Parents wishing children to eat foods brought from outside the center may sit with their child in the staff lounge until he/she is finished. 

We need everyone's cooperation to keep all children safe from potential allergens. See individual classrooms for alerts to potential allergens.

Please note that although we cannot guarantee a child with peanut/tree nut allergies will not be exposed to allergens, the CDC will not knowingly serve an allergic child products made with peanuts/tree nuts nor serve foods that may have been processed in a plant containing such products due to the potential for life threatening reactions from exposure. We ask for everyone's cooperation as we strive to keep each child in our care safe. If you or your child has eaten or been exposed to these products prior to arriving at the center, please wash your hands prior to entering posted classrooms.

Special Dietary Needs

Parents of children with special dietary considerations should alert the director, as well as the cook, regarding food allergies or religious convictions. The food service staff will provide an alternate food, or the parent may provide a meal from home.

Toileting

Toileting readiness skills vary for each child.  Parents and teachers work together to develop an appropriate toileting plan to meet each child’s individual needs.  This process should be built on the child’s interest and physical abilities to control his/her bodily functions.  We view toileting accidents as developmentally appropriate and look at them as a means to promote higher-level skills.  Children will never be admonished, punished or demeaned for toileting accidents.  Parents are asked to provide adequate amounts of clothing during this process.