Childhood Illness & Exclusions

 A child who has been vomiting throughout the night or in the morning  should not attend childcare. The child may return 48 hours after their last episode of  vomiting/nausea provided; they are able to fully participate in the program including outdoor play. 

 The causes of diarrhea can be infectious or non-infectious. 

Only a doctor can  determine the cause of infectious cases through an examination and/or tests.

If your child has  more than one case of diarrhea while at the center, we will call you to pick your child up immediately.  A child with unexplained diarrhea should not be attending the center until 48 hours after symptoms  stop, or medical explanation has been obtained.  

NOTE: INFANTS AND TODDLERS CAN BECOME CRITICALLY ILL WITH SEVERE  DIARRHEA BECAUSE FLUID LOSS LEADS TO DEHYDRATION 

 A fever is usually a sign of infection. Children with a fever of 100°F or higher need to be  kept at home. 

If your child has a fever that reaches 100°F while at the center the  Supervisor/Designate will call you to arrange for immediate pick up. Your child can return to the  center 24 hours after the fever breaks provided, they can participate fully in all activities including  outdoor play without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

 A sore throat is usually a sign of infection, which can be spread. Children should  not be in the childcare center with a sore throat. A doctor should be consulted concerning  evaluation and treatment of a child with a sore throat. 

Your child can return to the center 24 hours  after they have started treatment, or the sore throat has improved over 24 hours.  

 Strep throat is an infection caused by a bacteria called Group A Streptococcus.  It is more common in children than adults. 

A child should not return to the center until the  antibiotic prescribed by a health care provider has been taken for at least one full day (24 hours),  and the child is well enough to take part in all program activities.  

 This infection is caused by the Coxsackie virus. Though it mostly  affects young children, it can occur at any age. Outbreaks are most common in the Summer and Fall.  

A child may return to the center when feeling well enough to participate in all activities and the  sores have scabbed over. 

However, keeping young children at home who drool and have blisters in  the mouth or children with a weeping rash on the hands, can help to reduce the spread of infection  to others. 

  There are many kinds of rashes in children and most are not caused by infection. 

When  you are registering your child, please inform the Supervisor/Designate of chronic recurrent rashes  so that we will not worry unnecessarily when assessing your child for illness. 

When a rash occurs in conjunction with fever, infection is the likely cause. Only a doctor can  diagnose a rash. 

Children with rashes will be excluded from the center until the rash is gone or  there is a doctor’s note indicating the rash is not contagious. 

  A child with an earache or drainage from the ear should not attend childcare until after  they have seen a doctor. This usually a sign of infection and only a doctor can diagnose. 

If medication is prescribed, your child can return to the center 24 hours after the first dose provided,  they are able to fully participate in the daily program including outdoor play. 

 Pink eye is highly contagious. 

Only a doctor can diagnose pink eye so please take your  child to a doctor if:

 • The whites of the eyes are reddened with a discharge

 • Sometimes the lids are swollen and stuck together

24 hours after treatment has started, your child may return to the center.