Health Policy

BELA staff members will notify parents/guardians if children develop new signs or symptoms of illness. Parent/guardian notification will be immediate for emergency or urgent issues. Staff will notify parents/guardians of children who have symptoms that require exclusion, and parents/guardians should remove children from the school as soon as possible. For children whose symptoms do not require exclusion, verbal or written notification to the parent/guardian at the end of the day is acceptable.When a child becomes ill but does not require immediate medical help, a determination will be made regarding whether the child should be sent home. The caregiver/teacher will determine if the illness:

1. Prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities
2. Results in care that is greater than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children
3. Poses a risk of spreading harmful diseases to others
4. Causes a fever and behavior change or other signs and symptoms (ex: sore throat, rash, vomiting, and diarrhea).

*Parents will be notified if a fever is detected above 100.4 degrees. Parents are required to pick up their child immediately . Your child may not return until 24 hours after the fever has passed without medication. If the fever returns in a few days, your child will need a doctor’s note before attending school.

*Persistent cough or thick discharge from the eyes or nose requires a doctor’s note (visit) before the child is allowed to return to school.

*Any contagious illness detected or suspected requires 24 hours of medication administered before returning to school and accompanied by a doctor’s note in cases of known contagious illnesses.

* Vomiting or Diarrhea will require parent notification and pickup.

* Any unidentified rashes will require a doctor’s note before returning to school.

*No medication will be given to the child unless it is written on the medication log, signed by the parent with a doctor’s note, and the initial dose has been given at home.

*Parents will be notified if there are any known contagious illnesses in the school. Please be sure to promptly inform us if your child is diagnosed with any contagious illness.

*BELA has a no nites policy when it comes to the treatment of head lice. If your child is sent home for, and is treated for, head lice they must be looked at by someone in the center who can determine that they are free of nits before they may stay for the day.

PARENTS: Please be considerate of other children and families if your child is not feeling well. Also, if your child is diagnosed with a communicable illness at the doctor’s visit, DO NOT send them back to school the next day. They should be kept out of school for 1–2 full days (so that medication can begin to work). We understand how difficult it is to take off work or leave early, but the well being of all students is a priority at BELA.

Immunization Policy

All parents will be given a child health assessment form upon enrollment. This form must be completed and returned to school as soon as possible. Parents are responsible to have this form updated as follows:

0-36 months: An updated health assessment will be required for your child when they turn: 3 months old, 6 months old, 9 months old, 12 months old, 18 months old, 24 months old, 30 months old, and 36 months old.

36 months and older: An updated health assessment will be required annually.

All vaccines must be current according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP guidelines are located on the back of our health assessment forms. If a parent does not have their child’s health form updated as needed, we must dismiss your child until the form is current, pursuant to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Medication Policy/Care Plan

If your child has a health issue such as asthma or a severe allergy, BELA requires an Emergent Care Plan to be completed by their primary care provider. Information included should be:

• A list of the child’s diagnosis/diagnoses;
• Contact information for the primary care provider and any relevant sub-specialists (i.e., endocrinologists, oncologists, etc.);
• Medications to be administered on a scheduled basis;
• Medications to be administered on an emergent basis with clearly stated parameters, signs, and symptoms that warrant giving the medication written in lay language;
• Allergies;
• Dietary modifications required for the health of the child;
• Activity modifications;
• Symptoms for caregiver/teachers to observe;
• Emergency response plans – both if the child has a medical emergency and special factors to consider in programmatic emergency, like a fire;

Your child's care plan should be updated after every hospitalization or significant change in health status of the child. The Care Plan should be completed by the primary care provider with input from parents/guardians, and it is implemented in the child care setting.