Countryside Early Learning Center

Sick Child Policy

Our health policies exist to protect every child, family, and staff member in our community. Please review the guidelines below carefully.

If your child is sick, they must stay home. Contagious diseases are common in young children. Under no circumstance may a child attend school when sick. This policy is strictly enforced for the health and safety of all students, families, and staff.

Illness Guidelines
Fever
100°F threshold · Axillary measurement · 24-hour clearance required
Fever of 100°F or higher at home: Keep your child home. They must be fever-free for over 24 hours before returning to school.
Fever of 100°F or higher at school: You will be called to pick up your child promptly. They must be fever-free for over 24 hours before returning.
Fever below 100°F: You will be notified. CELC reserves the right to request pickup if your child's overall condition appears abnormal.
About our thermometry
CELC uses axillary (underarm) thermometry. Because axillary readings can underestimate core temperature, CELC adds one degree to all axillary temperatures recorded. Fever-reducing medication will not be administered by staff.
Diarrhea
Highly contagious · 2-episode rule applies
Diarrhea at home: Please keep your child home. Diarrhea can be highly contagious when caused by illness.
2 or more episodes at school: You will be called to pick up your child immediately.
Vomiting
Immediate pickup required · 24-hour clearance
Vomiting at school: You will be called to pick up your child immediately.
Returning to school: Your child must be free of vomiting for over 24 hours before coming back.
Rash
Doctor's note required for return
Rash at home: Please keep your child home. Some rashes caused by illness are highly contagious.
Rash develops at school: You will be called to pick up your child.
Returning to school: A doctor's note is required before your child may return.
Lice
Immediate pickup required · Staff inspection before return
Lice discovered at school: Your child will be sent home immediately. Please do not send your child back until they have been cleared.
Returning to school: A staff member must personally inspect and clear your child before they are permitted to rejoin their classroom. This applies regardless of home treatment performed.
Why we inspect before return
Lice spread quickly in group settings. Our staff inspection before re-entry protects every child in the classroom and ensures treatment has been fully completed before your child returns to their peers.
Medication and Allergies
Medication Policy and Allergy Procedures
General Medication Policy

As a general rule, no medication may be administered at school at any time. This includes over-the-counter medications, fever reducers, pain relievers, and any other substances. If your child requires medication during school hours, please contact us before enrollment to discuss your situation.

Epi-Pen Policy

The only exception to our medication policy is for children with known severe allergies. Families may leave an epi-pen on file with the school. In the event of a severe allergic reaction, the epi-pen will be administered by staff. Please inform us of any known severe allergies at the time of enrollment so we can ensure the appropriate documentation and equipment is in place before your child's first day.

Food Allergies

We are able to accommodate children with severe food allergies, including nut-free arrangements. Please disclose any known food allergies at enrollment so we can make the appropriate accommodations before your child starts. We take food allergy safety seriously and work with each family individually to ensure a safe environment.

Your Responsibilities
Parent Responsibilities
Pick up promptly when notified that your child is sick. Timely pickup protects the entire school community.
Notify the school if your child contracts a contagious disease so we can take appropriate precautions.
Disclose allergies at enrollment. If your child has a known severe allergy or requires an epi-pen, inform us before their first day so we can have everything in place.
Provide a physician's clearance notice before your child returns from a contagious illness. Dates on the notice must align with current dates.
Please Note
CELC reserves the right to request parent pickup for low-grade temperatures if a child's overall condition appears abnormal.
No medication may be administered at school. The only exception is an epi-pen on file for a child with a documented severe allergy.
CELC reserves the right to deny a child's return to school, even with a doctor's note, if the child's overall condition appears abnormal or uncomfortable.