Health & Safety
It is important to keep your child out of care in the case of illness. This prevents the spread of illness to other children and staff while keeping our center running smoothly.
A child is too sick to
attend care if they do not feel well enough to participate comfortably in the daily routine and activities.
The following symptoms, among others, also indicate a child must stay home from care to avoid the spread of illness or infection to others:
- Fever above 100 Degrees (taken under the arm). Children may not return to care until they have been fever free without Tylenol for at least 24 hours. This means that they will not be allowed in care on the day following a fever.
- Diarrhea. (More than two loose stools in a 24 hour period). If a child has two or more loose stools in a day, he/she will be sent home.
- Vomiting more than once in a 24 hour period. If a child vomits in care, they will be sent home.
- Pink-eye: The child will not be allowed back into care until they have been seen by a physician and had 24 hours of treatment.
- Head lice: Parents will be informed and the child should be treated by the parent. After treatment the child can return to school the next day.
- Scabies or chicken pox: The child cannot return to care until after treatment has begun and the sores have crusted over. Their return must also be approved by a physician.
Health and Safety
Child Care Health Policy/Disaster plan
Procedures for medical, poison, fire or other emergency situations are posted in each classroom and in the director's office. The director reviews these policies with each staff member regularly. The director is also responsible for orienting classroom volunteers, new staff, and substitutes to these plans. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. Fire and earthquake drills are conducted regularly and documented. Staff is familiar with the use of fire extinguishers. Earthquake safety precautions include securing heavy items to shelving and not overstuffing bookcases. 72 hours worth of food, water and supplies are available for each child and staff member.
A copy of our full health policy and disaster plan is available in the director's office and can be viewed upon request.
In case of emergency where our building can not be occupied we will meet at the Northeast branch of the Seattle Public Library directly across the street from the synagogue. An out of state number parents can call in case of an emergency and local phone lines are down is: Rabbi Jill Borodin (610)220-5964.
Medication (of any kind) may only be administered after a Medication Release Form has been filled out and turned in to a teacher. The medication release form includes the child's name, the name of the medication, and the times that the medication should be administered. Medication will not be administered "as needed." Clear times must be listed in order to properly treat the child. Medication will be stored in the designated area in the refrigerator, or in the specified medication box.
No medication, including diaper rash ointment or sunscreen, will be given to the child without written consent. The forms granting permission to apply diaper rash ointment and sunscreen are included in the registration packet.
All children must provide proof of immunization upon enrollment into the program. This form is included in the registration packet.
Increasing concern about the impact of pesticides on children's health has led to a law dealing with pesticide use in schools and licensed child care centers. As of July 1, 2002, public schools and licensed child care centers must provide annual notification of their pest control policies and methods, establish a system to notify families of children and employees of planned pesticide use, and post signs where pesticides have been applied. (Chapter 17.21 RCW, The Pesticide Application Act).
The impact of pesticides on children's health can range from irritation to skin and mucous membranes, to difficulty breathing, rash or vomiting. Long term exposure may lead to developmental delay, immune or endocrine system disruption or cancer. In addition, children with special needs, asthma and allergies can be highly sensitive to pesticides and suffer from mild to severe reactions to pesticides and pesticide residues.
We are dedicated to using the least amount of chemical control of pests in our program in order to provide the healthiest environment possible for our children.
We attempt to PREVENT infestation by:
- Taking out trash daily or more as needed.
- Cleaning trash cans regularly.
- Keeping trash cans or dumpsters covered and away from the building.
- Keeping grounds clear of food and rubbish.
- Storing food in sealed plastic or metal containers.
- Cleaning and sanitizing all dishes, utensils, and surfaces used for eating or food preparation after meals and at the end of the day.
- Preventing pest entry into facility by sealing cracks and holes, using and repairing window screens and door sweeps.
- Moisture control by maintaining plumbing and water drainage systems.
- Mechanically managing weeds.
- Planting native vegetation that is non-toxic.
- Mulching plant beds.
In the event that pesticides are used, parents will be notified.
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Under Washington law, all child-care providers are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. As a child-care facility, all suspicions of child abuse and/or neglect will be reported to the appropriate authorities.