Sick Child Policy

At Children’s Corner, we have sick child policies mandated by the State of Minnesota, Department of Human Services that we must follow in the event a child becomes sick while in our care. In addition, Children’s Corner has the following sick child policies that we follow:

If a child has a fever over 100 degrees (with the addition of the 1 degree) under the arm along with other symptoms, the child will be sent home. Staff will take axillary temperatures using digital thermometers. As per directions, we will add 1 degree to the number shown for accuracy. Staff will not retake temperatures beyond what is required for the center. Parents may not request a temperature be retaken when they arrive. A child does not have to present a fever to be sent home if there are other symptoms.
If a child has an undiagnosed rash, they will remain at home until diagnosed and the center provides a return date.
If a child has pink eye, they will be sent home and must be treated for 24 hours before return. (If there are no other symptoms present, child may return after the full 24 hours of treatment. The center will determine a return date) They may not return unless treated.
If a child has lice, ringworm, or scabies, they will be sent home until fully treated. **Please note that Children’s Corner has a “no nit, no egg” policy. Center will provide return date.
If a child has a persistent cough, they will be sent home until diagnosis of cough and then the center will inform a return date.
If a child’s nose is excessively running and/or is colored in mucus. This is at the discretion of the center staff.
If a child has vomited one time, the child will be sent home.
If a child has had diarrhea two times, the child will be sent home.
If a child is in general very miserable with multiple symptoms other than the ones listed above, a teacher may use his or her judgment and send the child home if the child is unable to participate in any regular activities here at the Center.
If a child has been given an antibiotic for any infection, they are to be treated for a full 24 hours before they can return. The center will provide a return date.

Please inform the childcare center of any medication that your child is taking to be sure we are aware and can share any concerns or questions with you. Your child may not be given any medication that may result in drowsiness or reduces fevers before you bring them to the childcare center.

If your child is sent home, he or she must be symptom free for 48 hours without the use of any pain relievers/fever reducers before he or she may come back to the Center. These rules also apply if your child gets sick at home. For example, if your child has a fever or has thrown up on Sunday, he or she can return on Wednesday. We have found that if you give your child additional time to get better, he or she has an easier time fighting off the next cold or flu. If your child is sent home for any part of the day, they will need to remain at home for the following two days. For example: Your child is sent home at 9:00am on Monday, they may return Thursday to childcare (home on Tuesday and Wednesday) only if they are symptom free.

If a teacher is spending a large amount of time tending to a child’s symptoms, we will call parents to give a heads up if possible. Due to the number of children in any given room, our staff are unable to provide one on one care and parents will be contacted if the care we are providing takes the teacher away from providing care for others in the room.

The childcare center sick policies are the ones that are followed. A doctor’s note does not supersede the center’s policies.

Outside: If your child is too sick to be outside, then he or she is too sick to be at Children’s Corner.

Teachers, Building Leads and/or Executive Director have the final decision as to when your child can return. We ask that you respect our decision. Please seek out clarifications if needed.

Exceptions to our sick policy will be rare and can only be made by a building lead or the Executive Director. We need to be fair to all families by following our policies consistently.