Our Health
Policies
At Willowdale Children’s Academy, we prioritize every child’s health and well-being. The guidelines below explain how we care for your child when illness or injury arises, and how we work with families to keep our community healthy. Please review these policies carefully so you know what to expect.
Health Assessments
Parents are responsible for ensuring the school has up-to-date vaccination records and health assessments for your child or children. DHS requires that we keep these on file at all times.
Sending a Child Home
When establishing our policies and procedures for exclusion due to illness, administering medications, and caring for special medical needs, we use Caring for Our Children as the guide.
If a child becomes ill during the day, the parent will be notified immediately and must pick up the child within 1 hour of being called. We expect the child to be picked up as soon as possible for the child’s comfort and to limit exposure to staff and other children. We must sometimes ask for a note from your physician to return to care if your child is sent home due to a contagious illness or infection.
If a child has been sent home with a contagious disease, a doctor’s note will be required for readmission. Sick children should be kept home for their own benefit and for the protection of others. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. The center reserves the right to refuse care for any child in accordance with Pennsylvania State Regulations and the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The following health guidelines will be used for exclusion.
Fever
A child with a temperature of 101.0 degrees or greater will be sent home. He or she may not return until the temperature is normal for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing product.
Upper Respiratory Infection or Acute Cold
A child who exhibits difficulty in breathing, is wheezing, or has a severe cough or thick yellow-green nasal discharge will be sent home. He or she may not return until the symptoms have subsided or they have a doctor’s admission note stating that they are not contagious.
Diarrhea
If a child has diarrhea more than three times in one day, he or she will be sent home and may not return until the diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours without medication. If a child is sent home twice in one week, then he or she may not return without a doctor’s note.
Vomiting
A child who has had an episode of vomiting will be sent home and may not return until the vomiting has stopped for 24 hours without the use of medication.
COVID
If a child displays any symptoms, they must stay home and be tested or quarantined for the recommended amount of time. WCA will try its best to follow the suggested guidelines. Masks are not required for children or staff. If a child tests positive for COVID, they must quarantine for the amount of time the CDC has in its guidelines.
Inflamed Eye
A child with an inflamed eye will be sent home and may not return until the inflammation has cleared or he or she has a doctor’s note. For pink eye, the child may not return until the medication has been taken for at least 24 hours.
Rash or Lesion
A child with a rash or suspicious lesion will be sent home until the rash or lesion disappears, or until the parent provides a doctor’s note stating that the rash is not contagious.
Head Lice
A child with lice or eggs will be sent home for treatment. The child may return after treatment and after all lice and/or eggs are removed, which can sometimes take 7-10 days. We will check for nits/eggs before re-admission to the program.
Medication Procedures
We administer prescription medicine to a child only in its original container, with current orders from a physician and written permission from the parent. Please keep the following requirements in mind:
- Each classroom has medication logs that must be filled out daily for medication administration.
- You may not fill out the medication log in advance; it must be completed daily.
- The prescription label is acceptable as a doctor's order.
- Medication must be taken home each day and returned the following day if necessary.
- Do not place medication in diaper bags or backpacks.
- Staff is not responsible for checking medication to be administered if the parent did not write it on the medication log.
- Medication may never be administered without a proper note from the doctor who prescribed it.
Injury
Routine bumps and bruises are a part of growing up. The staff will make every effort to reduce the likelihood of injuries. If an accident occurs, staff will treat minor injuries with soap and water and/or ice and a band-aid. Staff will complete a written incident report and place it in the child’s file, and the Director will call the parent to notify you of the injury when necessary.
Center staff is trained in Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid. In an emergency, staff will call 911 and immediately notify the parent. If necessary, a center staff person will accompany the child to the nearest emergency facility and remain until a parent or guardian arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents must provide Willowdale Children’s Academy with updated vaccination records and health assessments for each child. DHS requires the Academy to keep these records on file at all times.
Your child must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication before returning. Depending on the illness or infection, Willowdale Children’s Academy may also require a physician’s note. A doctor’s note is required when a child has been sent home with a contagious disease.
After vomiting, your child may return once the vomiting has stopped for 24 hours without medication.
A child who has diarrhea more than three times in one day will be sent home and may return after the diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours without medication. If the child is sent home for diarrhea twice in one week, a doctor’s note will be required before the child returns.
A child with an inflamed eye will be sent home and may return after the inflammation has cleared or with a doctor’s note. If the child has pink eye, the child must take medication for at least 24 hours before returning.
A child with lice or eggs will be sent home for treatment. The child may return after treatment and after all lice and eggs have been removed. This can sometimes take seven to ten days. Willowdale Children’s Academy will check for nits or eggs before readmitting the child.
Willowdale Children’s Academy will notify you immediately. You must pick up your child within one hour of the call. We ask families to arrive as soon as possible for the child’s comfort and to limit exposure to other children and staff.
A child with a temperature of 101°F or higher will be sent home. The child may return after their temperature has remained normal for 24 hours without a fever-reducing product.
A child will be sent home if they have difficulty breathing, wheezing, a severe cough, or thick yellow-green nasal discharge. The child may return after the symptoms have subsided or with a doctor’s note stating that the child is not contagious.
The child will be sent home and must remain home until the rash or lesion disappears. The child may return sooner if the parent provides a doctor’s note stating that the condition is not contagious.
Yes. Prescription medication must be provided in its original container with current physician’s orders and written parental permission. The prescription label may serve as the doctor’s order.
Parents must complete the classroom medication log each day; it cannot be filled out in advance. Medication must be taken home daily and must never be left in a diaper bag or backpack. Staff cannot administer medication without the required physician documentation and a completed medication log.
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