POLICY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
If a child exhibits any of the following symptoms, the child should not attend the center. If such symptoms occur at the center, the child will be removed from the group, and parents will be called to take the child home.
Severe pain or discomfort
Acute diarrhea
Episodes of acute vomiting
Elevated oral temperate of 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Lethargy
Severe coughing
Yellow eyes or jaundice skin
Red eyes with discharge
Infected, untreated skin patches
Difficult or rapid breathing
Skin rashes in conjunction with fever or behavior changes
Skin lesions that are weeping or bleeding
Mouth sores with drooling
Stiff neck
Once the child is symptom-free, or has a health care provider’s note stating that the child no longer poses a serious health risk to himself/herself or others, the child may return to the center unless contraindicated by local health department or Department of Health.
EXCLUDABLE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
A child or staff member who contracts an excludable communicable disease may not return to the center without a health care provider’s note stating that the child presents no risk to himself/herself or others. These diseases include respiratory, gastrointestinal, and contact illnesses such as Impetigo, Lice, Scabies, and Shingles.
Note: If a child has chicken pox, a health care provider’s note is not required for re-admitting the child to the center. A note from the parent is required, stating either that at least six days has elapsed since the onset of the rash, or that all sores have dried and crusted.
If a child is exposed to any excludable disease at the center, parents will be notified in writing.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORTING GUIDELINES
Some excludable communicable diseases must be reported to the health department by the center. The Department of Health’s Reporting Requirements for Communicable Diseases and Work-Related Conditions Quick Reference Guide, a complete list of reportable excludable communicable diseases, can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/reportable_disease_magnet.pdf.