2280.03 - PRESCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY
The health and safety of the children are safeguarded by an organized program of school health services designed to identify child health problems and to coordinate school and community health resources for children.
The program shall adhere to Board of Education policies and administrative guidelines concerning immunization; emergency medical authorization requirements; providing and posting procedures for emergency situations, including fire drills, rapid dismissals, and tornado drills (including keeping records of such drills or dismissals); and providing procedures for written notification to parents in the event of a child being injured and maintaining a log of injury reports. Medical and dental emergency procedures shall be posted in each preschool room and by each telephone, and shall be made available to school personnel, children, and parents. Emergency numbers shall be posted by each telephone. Grounds, play areas, and other facilities shall be supervised when scheduled for use by children. First-aid facilities and materials shall be provided.
When administering a medication, food supplement, modified diet, or fluoride supplement, the program shall:
prior to administration, secure the written instructions of a licensed prescriber as appropriate for the administration of any medication, food supplement, modified diet, or fluoride supplement; and
each time medication is administered, a written record or log including dosage, date, and time shall be made. That record or log shall be kept on file for one (1) year.
All preschool staff members shall wash their hands with soap and running water after each diaper change, or after assisting a child with toileting; after cleaning; after toileting; before preparing or eating food; before feeding any child; and when hands have been in contact with nasal or mucous secretions. Disposable towels or an air hand dryer shall be available at all times.
Management of Communicable Disease
A person trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease or other illness shall observe each child daily as s/he enters a group. A "person trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease" means any person trained in prevention, recognition, and management of communicable diseases.
The following precautions shall be taken for children suspected of having a communicable disease:
The program shall immediately notify the parent or guardian of the child’s condition when a child has been observed with signs or symptoms of illness, or has been exposed to a communicable disease.
A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated and discharged to his/her parent or guardian:
diarrhea (more than one (1) abnormally loose stool within a twenty-four (24) hour period);
severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound;
difficult or rapid breathing;
yellowish skin or eyes;
conjunctivitis;
temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit taken by the auxiliary method when in combination with other signs of illness;
untreated infected skin patch(es);
unusually dark urine and/or grey or white stool;
stiff neck;
evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestation.
A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated from other children. Decisions regarding whether the child should be discharged immediately or at some other time during the day shall be determined by the director and the parent or guardian. The child, while isolated at the program, shall be carefully watched for symptoms listed in paragraph B of this rule as well as the following:
unusual spots or rashes
sore throat or difficulty in swallowing
elevated temperature
vomiting
Programs shall follow the Ohio Department of Health "child day care communicable disease chart" for appropriate management of suspected illnesses.
A child isolated due to suspected communicable diseases shall be:
cared for in a room or portion of a room not being used in the preschool program;
within sight and hearing of an adult at all times. No child shall ever be left alone or unsupervised;
made comfortable and provided with a cot. All linens and blankets used by the ill child shall be laundered before being used by another child. After use, the cots shall be disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent, or, if soiled with blood, feces, vomitus or other body fluids, the cots shall be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent;
observed carefully for worsening condition;
discharged to parent, guardian, or person designated by the parent or guardian as soon as practical.
The program shall manage communicable diseases in accordance with Policy 8450 and Policy 8453 and AG 8450, AG 8450A, and AG 8453.
Training shall be provided for all preschool staff in signs and symptoms of illness and in handwashing and disinfection procedures.
The parent or guardian shall be notified immediately when a child is exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness or has been exposed to a communicable disease.
The parents of all enrolled children shall be notified when children are exposed to a diagnosed communicable disease such as pink eye, ringworm, chicken pox, or lice.
All programs must have a procedure regarding the care of a mildly ill child. "Mildly ill child" means a child who is experiencing minor common cold symptoms, but who is not exhibiting any of the symptoms specified in paragraph B above or a child who does not feel well enough to participate in activities, but who is not exhibiting any of the symptoms specified in paragraph B above.
In each building in which a program is operated there shall be readily available at all times at least one (1) preschool staff member who has completed a course approved by the State Department of Health in (1) first aid and (2) prevention, recognition, and management of communicable diseases.
The parent of a child enrolled in the program shall be permitted unlimited access to the school during its hours of operation to contact his/her child, evaluate the care provided by the program, the premises, or for other purposes approved by the director. Upon entering the premises, the parent shall report to the school office.
Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention
In each building in which a program is operated, there shall be readily available at all times at least one (1) preschool staff member who has completed a course in child abuse recognition and prevention based on an approved curriculum. Consistent with State law and Policy 8462, preschool staff shall complete at least four (4) hours of in-service training in child abuse recognition and prevention within two (2) years of employment and every five (5) years thereafter.
Diapering/Toileting
The changing of diapers for all non-toilet-trained children shall be handled in conformity with the following methods:
The changing of diapers for all non-toilet-trained children shall occur in a space that contains a hand-washing facility.
The program shall provide disposable gloves for diapering; however, the use of gloves or hand sanitizer does not preclude requirements for proper hand washing.
If an infant’s diapers are to be changed in his/her crib or at a central changing station, there shall be some separation material between the infant and the changing surface. The material shall be discarded and replaced after each change.
The central diaper-changing station or crib shall be disinfected after each diaper change with an appropriate germicidal agent in a manner consistent with the manufacturer's guidelines. If the diaper-changing station is soiled after the diaper change, it shall be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent.
Any product used during diaper changing on more than one (1) child shall be used in such a way that the container does not touch the child. Any product obtained applied to a child shall be applied in such a manner so as not to contaminate the product or its container. Common containers shall be cleaned and disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent when soiled.
For the purpose of diapering, topical ointments and creams provided by parents shall include written instructions. Such instructions shall include the name of the ointment, cream, or lotion; name of the child; birth date of the child; date; and signature. Written instructions shall be valid for no longer than three (3) months. Authorization for administration of the ointment, cream, or lotion may be cancelled by written request of the parent at any time.
Storing of clean diapers shall be handled in accordance with the following methods:
A clean supply of diapers stored in a specifically designated area shall be available at all times.
Diapers or clothing used during diaper changing and brought from the child’s home shall be stored in space assigned exclusively for each child’s belongings. Soiled clothing and/or diapers shall be sent home daily.
Storage and laundering of soiled diapers shall be handled in accordance with the following methods:
Diapers or clothing soiled with fecal matter and sent home with a child need not be rinsed at the program facility, but may be placed directly into a plastic container or bag, sealed tightly, stored away from the rest of the child’s belongings and out of the reach of children.
Soiled diapers to be disposed of or cleaned by the program shall be placed in a common plastic-lined covered container which shall be emptied, cleaned, and disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent daily or more frequently as needed. Diapers to be laundered at the program facility should be stored in an appropriate germicidal solution until laundered.
Soiled diapers to be commercially laundered shall be held for pickup for laundering for no longer than seven (7) days.
Diapers to be laundered at home or by the program shall be held for laundering for no longer than one (1) day.
Soiled disposable diapers shall be discarded daily.
© Neola 2010