Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care
Sick/Exclusion Plan-Short Term
Policy: Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care is committed to maintaining a healthy, safe
environment for enrolled children, their families, and staff. Temporarily excluding a child
from program participation protects the health of the affected child, other children and staff.
Purpose: To provide guidelines for family and staff to clearly identify when a child should be
excluded from attending our program, including Home Based socializations, and our Family
Child Care program.
Procedure:
1. Upon enrollment, each family will receive a copy and explanation of this policy and questions
will be answered. This policy will be reviewed whenever appropriate.
2. The overall health of each child shall be observed daily at the time of arrival. Unusual
symptoms or change in health and/or behavior of the child shall be discussed with the
parents or guardians and documented.
3. A child shall not remain in our care if the child is not well enough to participate in usual
activities or is showing signs and symptoms as described below.
4. Children will continue to be observed throughout the day. Observations of mild symptoms or
change in behavior will be recorded and discussed with parents or guardians when the child
is returned to their care.
5. The child’s Teacher, Family Service Advocate, Site Supervisor, or the Health/Nutrition
Manager will be available to support and consult with staff and families during the onset of a
child’s illness.
6. In the event of a sudden illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, elevated temperature, etc., the
parent will be notified as soon as possible and asked to come for the child. Caregiver/teacher
will document the episode in COPA.
7. If a child has a fever with symptoms of illness or two or more episodes of vomiting or
diarrhea in the previous 24 hours, the child needs to remain at home until the symptoms are
no longer present (without medications such as Tylenol) and the child feels well enough to
participate in the normal routine and activities at Head Start .
8. Emergency cards, with at least two contacts who can respond to an emergency, will be on
hand and updated on a regular basis.
9. Every effort will be made to keep children who present with symptoms of illness separated
from other children, and kept as comfortable as possible until their parents or a designated
person is able to come for them.
10.If a child is diagnosed with a contagious illness or condition, notices will be sent to
all parents and guardians of children who may have been exposed.
The following symptoms require non-attendance or removal of a child from our childcare
setting.
 Fever with signs/ symptoms of illness or behavior changes (see Inclusion/exclusion for
Fever guidelines)
 Diarrhea – runny, watery or bloody stools, not associated with diet changes or teething - 2 or
more episodes within 24 hours.
 Vomiting – two or more times in a 24 hour period ( exception with a doctor’s note that
determines vomiting is caused by a non-infectious reason )
 Sore throat with fever- Strep throat until 24 hours after treatment has started.
 Severe coughing – difficulty breathing, child gets red or blue in the face or makes a high
pitched whooping sound after coughing (Pertussis).
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Body rash with fever or behavioral changes- exclude until doctor has determined that the
illness is not infectious. Impetigo (bacterial skin infection), Scabies (mite infection) or
Ringworm (fungal infection) exclude until treatment has started.
Diagnosed communicable disease unless we have a statement from the primary care
physician that the child is not contagious and may return to the center or family childcare.
Head lice. AHSCC excludes for live lice until after the first treatment- exclusion is not
necessary before the end of the program day.
Child is irritable, lethargic, continuously crying, or requires more attention than staff can
provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children.
Pandemic Plan: Maine CDC may initiate different guidelines for exclusion during a pandemic
influenza outbreak.
Additional Information: When a child has suffered from a serious respiratory illness ( RSV,
pneumonia), been hospitalized or been seen in a hospital emergency room, suffered a fractured
bone, concussion, seizure, contagious illness, etc., we require a note from the physician stating that
the child’s condition is not contagious and that the child can participate in regular activities. If there
are any restrictions in activities, we will make reasonable accommodations to meet the restrictions
prior to the child returning to AHSCC. A note from the physician is recommended for an absence of
three or more consecutive days due to health reasons stating that the child’s condition is not
contagious and that the child can participate in regular activities
Related to: Head Start Standards 1304.22(b)(1); Caring for Our Children: National Health & Safety Performance
Standards Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs – American Academy of Pediatrics , 3rd Ed.: Rules for
Licensing of Child Care Facilities, Maine DHHS; Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools-American
Academy of Pediatrics 2nd Ed.
Revised 6/14 JH