Hand Washing

Unwashed hands are the primary carriers of bacteria and germs that cause illness.  Hand washing is the most important, effective preventive action one can take to prevent the spread of germs and virus.  We ask that parents teach their child proper hand washing at home to assist us in our effort to keep a germ free environment.

 

Students will wash their hands:

 

• When arriving for the day

• Before eating

• After eating

• When coming in from outdoor play

• After sensory play such as sand or water tables

• After toileting

• When exposed to bodily fluids - such as blood or vomit

• After wiping noses, mouths, or cuts

• After handling animals

 

Children may not use or be given hand sanitizer as a substitute for hand washing.  Hand sanitizers, found in drug stores, significantly reduce the number of germs on the skin and are fast acting. However, hand sanitizers will not remove dirt and other debris from hands.

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Sick Children

Sick children are not allowed at the Center.  Symptoms of illness that require exclusion from our program include a change in bowel habits (i.e. loose stool that occurs more than twice or with other symptoms), vomiting, high temperature/fever, undiagnosed rashes, and cold symptoms that do not subside.

 

Once it is discovered that a child is ill parents will be notified.  Parent, guardian or parent authorized person must pick up the child within thirty (30) minutes.  If the parent or guardian cannot be reached in a timely manner, staff will contact supplied emergency contacts.  Therefore, it is important that emergency forms are always up to date.

 

Ill children sent home may not return to the Center unless they have been symptom free for 24 hours.   This policy has been established for the health and safety of your child as well as the staff and the other children. Please do not ask staff to make exceptions. 

 

Communicable Diseases

Parents MUST inform KKCC if a child is infected with or has been exposed to a reportable communicable disease (e.g. conjunctivitis, chickenpox, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, strep throat, ring worm).  We will not admit a child with a contagious disease during the period of communicability.  Readmission to KKCC requires a written note by the child’s pediatrician or licensed health practitioner. 

 

When a child is diagnosed as having a contagious illness, the child must be excluded from KKCC for the period of time defined by the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  A doctor’s note will be needed indicating that the period of contagion has passed if symptoms persist after a child was diagnosed with a communicable illness.  If a child is diagnosed with a contagious illness over the weekend or holiday break, parents should still notify Administration and the child’s teacher so that proper parent notification can be processed.

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Medication

Staff will only administer medication if the Medication Authorization Form (OCC 1216) is completed and signed by the parent and child's physician or certified nurse practitioner.  Staff will only administer one dosage of medication per day.  Topical items like lotions, diaper rash products, sunscreen, insect repellent etc. do not require a Medication Administration Form.  Topical items will only be administered after the parent provides the item and a written consent.  Other over the counter medication will NOT be administered (ie. Children's Tylenol, Advil, Allergy relief, etc.) 

 

 

Mosquito Repellent

Children spend time outdoors during spring, summer, and fall months.  At times there is an increase of mosquitoes.  Parents are asked to provide mosquito or bug repellents for their children in order to apply prior to children going outdoors.  This is considered a topical application and requires parental written authorization.  Label the bottle with your child’s name.

 

 

Sunscreen

During the summer months we ask parents to apply the child’s first application before school.  Teachers will apply a second application once parents provide an unexpired bottle of sunscreen that has been labeled with the child’s name, along with written authorization.

 

 

Allergies

It is important and the parent's responsibility to make KKCC Administration and staff aware of any allergies or sensitivities the child may have, as well as plans for responding in the event of an allergic reaction.  These must be documented on the child’s Emergency Form and Health Inventory Form. 

 

KKCC is a nut free Center.  Although we will do our best to assure that children are not exposed to allergens, KKCC cannot guarantee that your child will not be exposed to peanuts, peanut by products, peanut oils, shellfish, and or other allergens to which your child may have sensitivities. 

 

 

Smoke Free Facility

KKCC is a smoke free facility. Due to the acknowledged health threat to young children from exposure to tobacco smoke pollution, it is the policy of this facility to provide a smoke free environment for staff, children, and parents. This policy covers the smoking of any tobacco product and applies to employees, parents, and visitors to the facility. There will be no smoking in any area of the Center at any time.  This includes both indoor and outdoor areas.  Field trips, walks, and all other off-site activities and functions will also be smoke-free.

 

 

Child Abuse & Neglect

The safety and security of children in our care is important.  KKCC’s staff is familiar with the symptoms of child abuse including physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse and neglect.  If we have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, we are mandated by law to report it to the appropriate community agency and or the appropriate law enforcement agency.