Head Lice
1304.22 (b)
Policy
To prevent the spread of head lice children with lice or nits will be sent home and may
only return to the classroom when they are lice and nit free.
Procedure
1.
Teaching staff will create a time and specific routine for performing head checks
on children (on an as needed basis and in a non-threatening manner).
2.
If a child comes to school with lice on the scalp or nits in their hair, the parent(s)
or one of the persons on the emergency consent form will be called to come and
take the child home as soon as possible. If parent cannot pick their child up, staff
will offer to bring child home. Parents should examine everyone in the
household. If lice or nits are found, complete treatment for all infected family
members (except children 2 years and under).
3.
It is important that when children are sent home only with nits that the family is
asked to remove and kill the nits only, not repeat the treatment.
4,
Head Start does not require that the family use pesticidal shampoo before
returning her/him to the classroom, however, we do require that the child not
have live lice or nits present in their hair. Staff will check the child for live lice or
nits before they can return to school.
5.
All classroom linens must be washable and must be laundered following each
head lice report. Other articles (dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, etc., may be
sealed in a plastic bag for at least 14 days at room temperature.
6.
Teachers and Family Service Workers will work with the Health Coordinator to
ensure that parents receive the most current and safest information regarding the
treatment and elimination of head lice.
7.
Staff will send the ChildPlus Live Letter HEA-3 to parents to notify them of their
child being exposed to head lice. The live letter will be sent to the parents of all
children in the class for each new case of head lice reported.
8.
If a child misses more than two (2) weeks of school due to Head Lice the staff will
offer their assistance to help the family get rid of the lice or nits.
9.
Staff will never apply medication or home remedy to a Head Start child's head.
6-2015