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Management of Communicable Disease

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The current version of the Ohio Department of Health Communicable Disease Chart will be followed for appropriate management of suspected illnesses. Copies of this chart are posted in the cafeteria of the main building and in the main hallway of the infant/toddler house. If your child has been exposed to a communicable disease at the Center, a notice will be posted at the entrance of the affected room within the next day of Center operation.

Many parents/guardians ask, “How do I know if my child is well enough to go to day care?” The following guidelines should assist you in making that decision:

1. The child should enjoy his/her day at the Center and should not become overly fatigued as the result of normal participation in activities.
2. The child should not be given aspirin, Tylenol, or other fever reducers to mask a fever prior to arrival at the Center. If the child has a fever, he/she must be fever free without aid of medication for 24 hours prior to returning to the Center.
3. If your child has a communicable disease, the period of communicability must be over prior to return, in accordance with the communicable disease chart posted in each building.

A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated and discharged to his/her parent/guardian or a person designated by the parent/guardian:

• Temperature of at least one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (taken by the axillary/armpit method with a digital thermometer) when in combination with any other sign or symptom of illness
• Diarrhea (three or more abnormally loose stools within a twenty-four hour period)
• Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound
• Difficult or rapid breathing
• Yellowish skin or eyes
• Redness of the eye or eyelid, thick and purulent (pus) discharge, matted eyelashes, burning, itching, or eye pain
• Untreated infected skin patches, unusual spots or rashes
• Unusually dark urine and/or gray or white stool
• Stiff neck with an elevated temperature
• Evidence of untreated lice, scabies, or other parasitic infection
• Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing
• Vomiting more than one time or when accompanied by any other sign or symptom of illness

The parent/guardian of the child will be notified by telephone and the child will be discharged to the parent/guardian, or other authorized person within one hour. A child who exhibits any of the above symptoms of illness may return to the Center only when he/she has been free from the symptoms without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours and/or has completed any necessary course of treatment to assure that he/she is not contagious. (A physician’s note may be required depending upon the illness and its method of treatment.)

A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease shall be: 1) within sight and hearing of an adult at all times, 2) cared for in another room or portion of a room away from other children, and 3) provided with a crib/cot and made comfortable. A mildly ill child who is experiencing minor cold symptoms or who does not feel well enough to participate in activities, but who is not exhibiting any of the above symptoms may attend the Center. The child will be cared for within the child’s group and observed carefully for signs and symptoms of worsening condition. If the child should develop any of the above listed symptoms (as stated in OAC 5101:2:12:33), he/she will immediately be isolated and discharged to the parent/guardian or authorized person within one hour. If both parents/guardians are unavailable, the persons designated as emergency contacts will be notified to pick up the child. A form will be sent home with the child detailing his/her symptoms and information regarding his/her return to the Center.

If your child requires medication, vitamins, or a special diet, there is a required form available at the office to be completed and signed each time medication needs to be administered. Medication that does not have a prescription label must be clearly marked by the parent with the child’s name, dosage, time, and why it is being given. All medication must be in the original container.

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