ABC Preschool

Preschool Procedures for a Sick Child

Preschool Procedures for a Sick Child

• When NOT to bring a child to school or When to send a child home from school

• FEVER - If child is reaching a high temp of 101 degrees or more. Fever must be gone for 24 hours before returning to school. (Call parent if fever is reaching 101 degrees)

• VOMITING – If your child has vomited more than twice in the last 24 hours, the classroom is a no-go for at least 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped. (Call parent after child has vomited once at school)

• RASH – A rash can indicate a viral infection – the common ones being chicken pox or impetigo. Visit your doctor before contemplating heading back to school. (Call parent at the first sign of a rash)

• RED EYES – Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and it’s best to keep your child away from anyone until the symptoms have gone. (Call parent if symptoms of redness and itchiness occur)

• Proceed with caution

• COUGH – Taking your child who has a cough to school will depend on the severity of the cough. If it’s severe, take them to the doctor to rule out anything severe such as bronchitis, whooping cough, or pneumonia. (Call parent if coughing is continuing throughout the day)

• STOMACH ACHE – A tummy ache can be hard to diagnose in a child so keep an eye on the symptoms and listen to the complaints to be sure it’s not something serious like gastro or food poisoning. (Call parent to let parent know if symptoms are reoccurring throughout the day)

• ITCHY SCALP – An itchy head can be caused by head lice, so best rule that out before you take your child through the school gates. A little trip to the pharmacy could be all you need here. (Teacher can bring child to office for a lice check, if possibility of lice parent must be called for pickup)

• SORE THROAT – If the child has no other symptoms other than a sore throat and isn’t too miserable, they can go to school. (Inform parent at pick up that child has been complaining of a sore throat)

• EARACHE – Like the sore throat, if other symptoms aren’t making them too miserable, they’re okay to attend school however please inform teachers of symptoms, teachers do the same at pickup

• RUNNY NOSE – Runny noses are common. But if other symptoms present such as a cough or fever, best to take a trip to the doctor. (Teacher may want to inform parents of their child\'s runny nose

• HAY FEVER – Other than making you miserable and uncomfortable, hay fever shouldn’t interfere with your child’s school attendance.

• FOR ALL SYMPTOMS remember if you don\'t think your child will be able to concentrate, best to leave them at home.

• ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: Is my child well enough to comfortably take part in the day’s activities? Will my child pass on their illness to other children or staff? Will my child’s teacher be able to care for my child without it impacting on their ability to care for other children? If you felt the way they do, would you be going to work?