In an effort to keep children and teachers healthy, you are asked to keep your child home when he/she is sick.

If the following symptoms occur your child may not attend school:

A temperature of 99º or higher or any fever accompanied by:

a deep cough or uncontrollable spasms of cough

earache or draining ear

a red, sore throat or swollen glands

B.   A rash of any kind until diagnosed, treated or declared harmless by physician

Early colds (coughing and sneezing), very bad colds with purulent (green, thick) discharge

Diarrhea or vomiting  

Red, runny or matting eyes - may be pink eye (conjunctivitis) - please call your doctor

Bronchitis - if your child is coughing frequently

Lethargy – if your child is lethargic or simply not him/herself

Children must remain home and be free of the above-mentioned symptoms for 24 hours before they can return to school.  While we understand that a green, runny nose and cough are not necessarily indicators of infectious disease, we will require a doctor’s note if there is any question about your child’s health.  Many children suffer from allergies with cold-like symptoms.  If this is the case for your child, a doctor’s note will be required for re-admittance.

In the event that your child becomes sick while at school you will be promptly notified.  We expect that you will pick your child up immediately, as we do not have the facilities to care for sick children.  If you are unable to pick up your child, please send someone from your emergency list to do so.  Remember, when we send a child home we are using our best judgment in determining whether or not that child should remain at school.  Please respect this policy as well as the families and staff at EPCC by adhering to it.

We are a Center for "healthy" children.  A child who is not well does not benefit from our program and can adversely affect the health of our other children as well as our staff.  If you have any doubts about your child's health, please keep your child home and contact your family doctor.

The following chart lists time periods for which your child should be excluded from school for various illnesses.

 ILLNESS CHART*

Illness:                                                  May Return:

Chicken Pox                                         24 hours after all lesions have crusted

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)                    24 hours after start of treatment (if drainage and excessive tearing has stopped)

Croup                                                    After illness has subsided

Diarrhea-Gastro Enteritis                   24 hours after last loose stool and after 1 normal bowel movement

Rubella                                                  At least 7 days after onset as well as 24 hours after symptoms end

Hepatitis A                                           At least 7 days after onset of jaundice

Impetigo                                              24 hours after treatment has started

Fever                                                    24 hours after temperature is normal

Influenza                                              24 hours after symptoms have subsided

Measles                                                At least 4 days after onset of rash

Lice                                                       24 hours after treatment has begun and child is   free of nits and eggs

Whooping Cough                               At least 7 days after therapy has started

Pin worms                                            After treatment is completed

Roseola                                                 After illness has subsided

Scabies                                                 24 hours after start of treatment

Strep throat                                         48 hours after start of treatment

Poison Ivy                                             After lesions have dried up

Pneumonia or Epiglottis                     Written note from physician

(if due to H-Flu, Health Dept. must give order)

Bacterial (Spinal) Meningitis              When Health Dept. gives OK

Mumps                                                 14 days after onset of swelling

Covid 19-Positive                                Must have a negative result before returning with a doctor’s note.

*Source:  US Dept. of Health & Human Services

MEDICATION POLICIES

Prescription medication may be given only upon written order of a physician stating that the center may administer such medication and specifying the circumstances, if any, under which the medication must not be administered.  A medication release form must be completed by the parent and kept on file for the duration of the time the child is in need of a specific medication.

Prescription medication must be in the original container and labeled with the child's complete name, the medication name, recommended dosage, time intervals for administration, expiration date and physician’s name.  All medications will be stored according to the instructions on the label, kept beyond the reach of children and returned to the parent when no longer needed.

Over-the-counter medication may be given on an infrequent, non-routine basis under written instructions from the parent in conjunction with a doctor’s note.   Instructions must be consistent with the directions on the manufacturer's label.  Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container with the manufacturer’s label. Again, such medication will be stored according to the instructions on the label, kept beyond the reach of children and returned to the parent when no longer needed.

For all medications that must be administered orally, a graduated medicine syringe or spoon must be provided.

Topical ointments may be applied as needed for protection against the sun or other skin irritations under written parental instructions and a doctor’s note.

Never send medication in your child’s lunch box or backpack.  Any medication must be handed to a teacher with a completed medication release form.  Medication forms can be obtained from the teachers in your child’s classroom.