MEDICAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CHILD CARE POLICIES

Medication Policy

All medications and topical ointments that your child requires while in care at the YMCA must be given directly to YMCA staff and must be accompanied by a signed medical authorization form with signatures from parent and doctor. Do Not leave medication in your child’s backpack or lunch bags. Medication prescribed by a doctor must be in its original container with the child’s name on it. The name of the medication and dosage must match what is on the form to be given to the child. All medication will be kept in a locked box. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the staff of any medical condition and pick up any medication not used after the authorization period. Any medications not picked up will be destroyed. YMCA Child Care Staff are trained by a MAT Trainer to administer medication.

OVER-THE-COUNTER SKIN PRODUCTS

YMCA Child Care staff will administer sunscreen and/or insect repellent provided when:

• We receive written parental authorization noting any adverse reactions.

• Products are in original containers labeled with child’s name.

• Do not put these items in your child's backpack

Parental Notification

Any time there is a serious accident or injury at the center, the parents will be notified immediately. If the injury is minor, parents will be notified at the end of each day. Examples of minor accidents or injuries would include small scratches, cut or scrape, minor bruise or discoloration of the skin. Be aware of children who have allergies such as bee stings. This should be noted on the health history and known to teachers and aides. Immediate action is needed in these cases.

Child Injury Policy

If your child has an injury that may require more than our first aid skills allow, or your child has an injury to the head of any kind, we will make an immediate attempt to contact you and/or the person you have designated in case of such emergencies. If necessary, we will call an ambulance. The program will maintain a parent’s signed consent form agreeing to this provision. Please make every effort to keep the YMCA up-to-date on phone numbers, emergency numbers and other pertinent information. This is of the utmost importance because the hospital will not treat your child without you being there.

Sick Child Policy

• The HEALTH and SAFETY of your child is a matter of major importance to all of us. In order to protect the children in the program who are well, we have very stringent rules about sick children. These rules are in compliance with all Commonwealth of Virginia licensing regulations. If your child becomes ill in our program, we will call you and you must make arrangements to pick up your child IMMEDIATELY.

• If a child has any of the following conditions, the parent will be notified immediately to pick up the child: contagious disease, fever over 100, vomiting or diarrhea, accident requiring medical attention. In case of accident or illness, parents of the child will be called immediately and may require a doctor’s note to return.

• Fever: If a child has a fever over 100 the parent will be notified, if the child’s fever reaches 101 or higher the parents are required to pick the child up. If a child is sent home with a fever, they must remain out of child care for 24 hours. During cold and flu seasons the child must remain out of child care for 48 hours.

• Contagious Disease: If a child exhibits signs of a contagious disease, the parent will be called and required to pick up the child immediately.

• Vomiting or Diarrhea: If a child vomits or has diarrhea, the parents are required to pick up the child from site.

• If a child has been required to be picked up because of one of the above mentioned conditions, THEY CANNOT RETURN TO THE CENTER FOR 24 HOURS FROM THE TIME OF PICK UP. When staff attempts to contact the parent, if they cannot be reached, they will contact an emergency contact person. If the emergency contact person cannot be reached, the parent will receive a written request to provide the center with adequate contacts. If contacts cannot be provided, child care will be suspended. If a parent refuses to pick up their child because of an above condition, child care services will be suspended and the Department of Social Services will be contacted.

• Sick children cannot be with well children. In cases of illness, children must be clear of: a cold that is less than two days old, a heavy nasal discharge, a constant cough, reoccurring vomiting or diarrhea, temperature of 100° and/or symptoms of communicable disease (sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain plus a fever) for 24 hours without aid of fever reducing medications.

• To protect children and staff in our program, parents are responsible for notifying us within 24 hours if their child or anyone in their household has been diagnosed with a communicable disease.

• Children who are identified as having lice will not be allowed to return until they are 100% nit free and our staff will be required to do a head check at drop off the first day the child returns.

Withdraw From A Program

We hate to lose any child from YMCA Child Care Program, however, if you choose to withdraw your child from the program: a two week written notice is required. You will be charged for those weeks, whether your child attends the program or not.