Temporary Exclusion for Health Reasons Policy Rationale: Head Start Performance Standard 45 CFR Section 1304.22 (b)(i) Policy: To ensure the health and safety of our children, staff and volunteers, children with a short-term injury, an acute, contagious illness, or any condition diagnosed after enrollment requiring a Head Start care plan (i.e. asthma), will be excluded from center-based activities and socialization. This exclusion is for a short-term period during which the child in care poses a significant risk to the health or safety of the affected child and/or anyone in contact with the child.
Temporary Exclusion for Health Reasons Procedure Guidance: To ensure the health and safety of our children, staff and volunteers, children with a short-term injury, an acute, contagious illness, or any condition diagnosed after enrollment requiring a Head Start care plan (i.e. asthma), will be excluded from center-based activities and socialization. This exclusion is for a short-term period during which the child in care poses a significant risk to the health or safety of the affected child and/or anyone in contact with the child. Procedure: 1. Children suspected of having a communicable condition must be sent home and are to be immediately excluded. 2. Before returning to school, the parent/guardian must present written documentation from a health care provider stating that the child is healthy enough to return to school. Note: If the condition requires a care plan, a care plan must be received prior to the reentry of the child. 3. All notes regarding the child s health check, condition, and interaction with the family will be documented in the child s file.
Temporary Exclusion for Illness Guidelines: The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in program/classroom activities. The illness results in greater care need than center staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children. The child has any of the following conditions: fever of 101 F; unusual lethargy; irritability; persistent crying; difficulty breathing; or other signs of severe illness. Fever temperature equal to or greater than 101 F (oral) or 102 F (auxiliary/underarms). Diarrhea (defined as an increased number of stools compared with the child s normal pattern). Gray/white stool or unusually dark urine. Vomiting. Mouth sores associated with an inability of the child to control his/her saliva, unless the child s physician or local health department authority states the child is non-infectious. Rash, or unusual spots, with fever or behavior change, until a physician has determined the illness is not a communicable disease.
Sore throat/severe coughing and/or dry mouth with trouble swallowing. Dental pain (swollen mouth, foul smells, etc ) Headache or body pain. Yellowish skin or eyes. Communicable Disease (See Exposure Notices). Note: If a child is diagnosed after enrollment or it is not disclosed to center staff before enrollment that a child has any of the following diagnoses, a temporary exclusion will be warranted and readmission will be granted upon receipt of a care plan. A temporary exclusion may be warranted if a child is diagnosed with or requires a care plan for the following: Asthma History of seizures Special diet Other
Temporary Exclusion for Illness Re-admission Guidelines The following are recommendations for re-entry into school following exclusion: Exclusion for fever, vomiting, and diarrhea will be for the day the child is sent home and the following full day. The child will be readmitted following the exclusion period, provided he/she is symptom free, without the use of medication. Significant improvement in overall health status has been made, as agreed by both the parent/guardian and center staff. The child s physician provides written documentation stating that re-entry is safe for the child, classmates, and staff. If a care plan is required, the necessary information is completed and returned to center in the form of a referral package- please refer to the Request for Follow-Up Services: Health/Nutrition policy and procedure for additional guidance. The child is not to return to school until the care plan is complete and returned to the center. If the illness is part of an epidemic, state and local guidelines regarding testing and treatment must be followed. The Health/Nutrition Services Unit must be informed of any such case immediately. Report communicable diseases to the local health department, and refer to the Exposure Notice procedure for instructions to notify parents/guardians of confirmed contagious disease exposure.