Minimum Standards for Tribal Child Care: A Health and Safety Guide
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Section III:
Infection Control
Care of Ill Children
Principle
Reasonable exclusion criteria for ill children benefit all children in the child care group, their caregivers, and their parents.
Why This Is Important
- Many illnesses can be spread from person to person, particularly among young children in group care where diapers, drooling, and frequent hand to mouth behavior increase the likelihood of disease transmission.
- Children with more than mild infectious diseases can pose a safety hazard to other children by requiring a disproportionate amount of the caregiver’s attention.
Standards
- A written policy for determining inclusion, exclusion, and dismissal of ill children should be implemented.
- A child should be excluded from the program if:
- The child does not feel well enough to participate comfortably in the usual activities of the program;
- The caregivers cannot care for the sick child without interfering with the care of the other children; or
- Keeping the child in care poses an increased risk to other children or adults in the child care facility, as determined by the caregiver or, if necessary, a local health official.
- A written plan should be in place for caring for an ill child.
- A written plan should be in place addressing the administration of any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to children in care.
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