Illness Policy
DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Head Start and Michigan School Readiness
ILLNESS PROCEDURE/GUIDELINES
Outdoor activity is very important for young children and is a planned activity in our centers. Fresh air and movement is needed daily for your child’s general well-being and healthy development. Therefore, we feel that a child who is well enough to come to school is well enough to play outdoors. You can help your child enjoy outdoor activities by making sure that he/she is properly dressed for the weather. During the winter months this includes boots, warm coat, snow pants, hat and mittens. Below is a guideline for the number of days children should be kept out of school with the following diseases:
- COLD/FLU– Keep child at home until coughing, runny nose, or fever has subsided. DO NOT send child to school for 24 hours after symptoms have subsided.
- VOMITTING/DIARRHEA – Child is to be kept home for 24 hours after both have stopped.
- IMPETIGO – Pimple filled with fluid, usually around the nose and mouth area. Will ooze and spread to other areas. Highly contagious. Child must be seen by a physician and treated with prescription ointment. Lesions must be dry before the child can return to school.
- STREP THROAT – Sore throat with fever, sometimes white patches in the throat area; swollen glands. Keep child at home 24-48 hours after medication is started.
- SCARLET FEVER – A form of streptococcal infection. Follow the same guidelines as for strep throat.
- CHICKEN POX – Contagious for two (2) days before rash appears, and five (5) days after. Child can return to school after all scabs are dry.
- PINK EYE/CONJUNCTIVITIS – Eyes are red, irritated, crusted, and light bothers them. Must be seen by a physician and can return to school 24 hours after medication is started.
- HEAD LICE – Child must be nit-free before returning to school. If you need information on detection or treatment, contact your child’s teacher, the Health Coordinator, or the Health Department. Pamphlets and videos are available. Parent must accompany child to school the day they return so staff can confirm that the child is nit-free.
9. SCABIES (MITES) – Under the skin (Body lice). Must be seen by a physician and parent must bring to school a statement signed by a physician indicating when the child is able to return.
10. THRUSH – Yeast infection; must be seen by a physician.
11. FIFTH DESEASE (SLAP CHEEK) – Virus that can last 1-2 weeks. Blotchy rash on cheeks and all over body; can be itchy. Does not respond to antibiotics, as it is viral. Use same precautions as for cold and flu.
12. HAND, FOOT, MOUTH DISEASE – Mild childhood illness. May last 1-3 weeks. Follow physician recommendation. Signed statement from physician needed indicating child may return to school.
