Health and Safety

Head Start provides comprehensive health services which include a broad range of medical, dental, mental health, and nutrition services to all children, including children with disabilities. A complete health screening will be provided for each child during the Children’s Health Fair, which will include a physical exam, blood tests, dental, vision, speech and hearing screenings. If the child misses the Children’s Health Fair, Head Start will assist the family in completing all necessary medical requirements. Head Start will also assist families in linking onto an ongoing health care system if they do not have their own physician.

Head Start promotes preventive health services and early intervention, therefore, an ongoing health and nutrition education program is presented to the children in the classroom. Parents’ participation in the classroom health and nutrition activities will strengthen the success of ongoing healthy practices.

Please note: any adult who wishes to volunteer in the classroom or become a substitute teacher, is required to show proof of a current TB skin test or chest x-ray (within the year), with the results, before volunteering or substituting in the classroom. A TB test may be obtained at no charge at the Delaware County Health Department on the 2nd floor of the County Building, Nursing Division, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. You must then return in 48 to 72 hours after receiving the test in order to have the test read and the results recorded on a card, which you will receive. Your child’s teacher must have a copy of your card on file, as well as a copy in the Head Start office. Don’t be left out! Get your TB test!

MEDICATIONS

The classroom teacher, school nurse, or the Head Start Health & Safety/Nutrition Coordinator will be able to administer medication when the proper forms have been completed. If prescription medication is to be administered, the medication form needs to be completed by the physician and kept in the center. All medication must be in the original container with label and directions before medication can be administered to the child. A medication log must be completed by the parents and the classroom teacher. In the child's best interest, please administer all medication before sending him/her to school.

ILLNESSES

If your child exhibits any of the following signs of illness please keep him/her at home as to not expose others:

1. Fever - Children who develop a temperature of 100 orally or axillary while at home, must remain at home, or after coming to school must return home. A child with such fever should remain at home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal.
2. Vomiting - Any vomiting episode at home requires that the child be kept at home, or if the child vomits at school the child will be sent home.
3. Diarrhea - defined as two or more loose stools within one day. Child must be free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. If the episodes develop an erratic, but reoccurring pattern, the child may attend the center if a doctor's written statement is presented verifying that there are no infectious causes.
4. Rashes - rashes that are not identified or that have not been diagnosed as non-communicable by a physician will need to be seen by a doctor.
5. Colds - if your child shows any signs of upper respiratory infection (cold symptoms) serious enough to interfere with his/her ability to learn, sleep, eat, or play, the child will be excluded from school until contagious symptoms disappear. Signs of infection include: runny nose with yellow or green mucous, and/or harsh congested cough with breathing difficulty, and/or fever. If a child has an infection that needs to be treated with an antibiotic, it is recommended that he/she stay out of the center for 24 hours after starting the antibiotic.

If your child shows any of the above signs of illness while in the classroom the parent/guardian will be called to pick up the child immediately. If the child is a bus child, the parent/guardian will be called and our transportation staff will deliver the child to his/her home (or designated address).

DISEASES

Certain diseases or medical conditions may require the attention of a physician before a child may be admitted to the center. If your child exhibits signs of the diseases listed below, please keep your child at home.

1. Impetigo - a skin infection consisting of blisters surrounded by a reddened area. The external area must be covered to prevent spreading the disease. Impetigo requires a doctor's release before admittance to the center.
2. Conjunctivitis - an eye infection commonly referred to as "pink eye." Symptoms: the eye will have unexplained redness and there may be thick yellow drainage. The child may be admitted to the center when drainage is gone and/or after 48 hours of treatment. A physician's visit is needed.
3. Strep Throat - symptoms: fever, red painful throat, and possible nausea and vomiting. If a doctor diagnoses a strep throat infection and places the child on an appropriate antibiotic, the child may return to the classroom if he/she no longer has a fever and has taken the medication for 24 hours. A doctor's release is required to return to the classroom.
4. Chicken Pox - symptoms: mild fever, itchy rash that consists of small red fluid bumps that start on the stomach or back. Children infected with chicken pox will be excluded when breakout occurs and until they have dried and scabbed.
5. Measles and Rubella - symptoms: mild fever, itchy rash which consists of small red fluid bumps that start on the stomach or back. Child will be excluded from the classroom for 5 days after the rash appears.
6. Mumps - symptoms: swelling of the glands accompanied by pain and tenderness; may have a temperature of 100-104 degrees. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, headache, or back pain. The child will need to stay home from school for at least 9 days after swelling appears.
7. Head Lice - symptoms: severe itching caused by small louse eggs, nits on the hair, or louse crawling through the hair. Bumpy rash on the nape of the neck may appear after persistent infestation. Child with infestation is excluded from the classroom until there is evidence that the child has been treated and all nits have been removed.
8. Pinworm (an intestinal parasite) - symptoms: child may become restless and irritable, and may complain of or be observed as having rectal itching. The child may not be admitted until treated with prescription medications. Physician's documentation of treatment is required.
9. Bronchitis - a condition characterized by a severe continuous cough that interferes with activity and well being of the child. A doctor's release is required before admittance to the center.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

All children enrolled in Head Start are required to have a physical examination of health. This can be obtained by one of the following methods:

• Your own family physician
• Children's Health Fair
• Head Start's physician (Head Start will assist parents with arrangements)

IMMUNIZATIONS

Children must be immunized in accordance with standard pediatric practices in order to remain in the center. If the child does not have an up-to-date, age appropriate schedule of child care immunizations, Head Start will assist parents in making arrangements for his/her inoculation within 30 days of enrollment. Preschoolers must follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended immunization schedule listed below and provide a written record to the office verifying each immunization.

Click Here for an immunization schedule. The schedule is in .pdf format, which requires Adobe Reader. If you don't already have it, download it free here.