Download Communicable Disease and Illness

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE and ILLNESS
1304.22
Policy
Head Start staff will lower the risk of spreading communicable diseases in our
classrooms and offices through preventative health practices and appropriate reporting
procedures.
Procedure
A.
B.
C.
All Communicable/Infectious diseases (child, staff, or volunteer) must be reported
to the Center Director as soon as possible.
1.
The Health Coordinator (or in her absence other Head Start Administrative
Staff) will be notified of severe cases of communicable disease or illness.
Administrative staff may request a written report from the Center Director.
2.
If a Head Start child has been diagnosed by a Health Care Provider with a
communicable disease, the Center Director or Family Service Worker will call
the Health Coordinator or child’s physician for guidance. Staff will follow the
instructions given. When requested, staff will notify parents of communicable
disease exposure by using the Communicable Disease Report Form, KHS114.
When requested by the health department, teaching staff will send out
informational alerts/flyers to all parents of classroom children within twenty-four
hours of diagnosed disease.
1.
Educational information may be obtained from Health Department, Health
Care Provider, Health Coordinator, Family Service Worker, Center Director,
etc. The Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools book is an
available resource for parent friendly information
2.
For specific information concerning head lice, refer to Head Lice Policy and
Temporary Exclusion Guidelines Policy for specific information on how to
deal appropriately with this issue.
Parent(s) (or emergency contacts) will be notified to pick up their child if he/she
appears to have symptoms of a communicable disease or becomes ill at school.
(see child Temporary Exclusion Guidelines). The child will be sent home until:
1.
The condition subsides and child shows no signs of illness, is no longer
contagious, or staff receives a note from the child’s Health Care Provider
stating that the child is no longer contagious.
2.
D.
In the case of Head Lice, the child is lice and nit free (see Head Lice
Policy). Names of children will be kept confidential.
Staff must not come to work when they are ill. If a staff member has any of the
signs or symptoms described in the child exclusion guidelines, they are to report
this to the Center Director.
1.
Center Directors will ensure that staff who appear to be ill take the rest of
the day off.
2.
In such a case, another staff person is assigned to the classroom. When
necessary, a substitute or other Head Start staff will be contacted to cover
for the teacher who is sick.
Procedures for Caring for a Sick Child
1.
Isolate child from the other children in a way that is nurturing to child as much
as classroom/office space allows.
2.
When needed provide the child with a resting mat to lie on while they are waiting.
3.
Sanitize the resting mat and toys after each use. (See Classroom
Sanitation Policy)
4.
Take the child’s temperature when any of the following signs are present: nausea,
vomiting, flushed cheeks, warm to the touch on the back of your hand, diarrhea,
excessive coughing or fatigue.
A normal temperature is 98.6 degrees F. A temperature of 100 degrees or
higher (taken under the arm) warrants a call to the parent or guardian to let
them know that their child is sick and they need to come pick them up as soon
as possible.
6- 2016