Medication

Except for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and topical medications, only one dose of any medication may be administered at the Center unless medication and dosage are otherwise approved in writing by a licensed health practitioner. Prescription medication must be in a container labeled by a pharmacy or physician with child’s name, dosage, date of the prescription, name of the medicine, administration schedule, any special instructions (“Take with food”), duration of the prescription, and expiration date that states when the medication is no longer useable. It may be administered only according to the health practitioner’s written instructions or the instruc­tions on the label of medication. Parents must administer the first dose of any medication.

Emergency Medical Care

Business, home, and emergency numbers must accompany all registration forms. Forms must also include the name of the child’s doctor, plus consent for the Center to act on behalf of parents. Parents also sign permission for the School staff to act if neither parent nor child’s doctor can be reached at the time of an emergency. It is the parents’ responsibility to keep these emergency forms updated. In case of minor injury, first aid is administered by a staff member. In cases of more serious injuries, parents are notified immediately. Parents receive accident reports to sign as confirmation that they were made aware of injuries.

Illness

At the discretion of the director, a child will be refused entry or sent home when there are visible signs of illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or discolored mucus that accompanies other symptoms). Children’s parents will be contacted and asked to remove a child from care within an hour should the School suspect a child is ill. Children sent home may not return until they have been free of illness for at least 24 hours. The director may request written consent from a child’s doctor confirming your child is free from illness. Children who have missed three consecutive days of school due to illness need a written note from the parent or doctor stating that the child may return to a regular schedule. Children too ill to play outdoors are too ill to come to the School. Please make a backup plan for illness prior to enrolling your child.

Biting

Biting is unfortunately a normal developmental behavior for young children. Children bite for a variety of reasons, including frustration. Biters are removed from situations and told in a strong voice, “Biting hurts. We only bite food.” Parents of both children involved are notified and an accident report is written. If biting persists to such a degree that the safety of other children or staff becomes threatened, the biter may be removed from enrollment at the discretion of the director until this phase of development has passed. After a bite, the bitten child will be comforted, the area washed, and ice applied if necessary.

Suspected Child Abuse

Maryland law requires staff to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Protective Services. Parents are not required to be notified of such action.

Infectious Diseases and Other Medical Issues

Parents of children with an infectious disease, such as HIV, or other serious medical issue shall notify the director of the School, in writing prior to enrollment or as soon as the parents learn that the child may have such an issue.  Parents will need to submit a statement from the child’s physician as well as other health forms to provide complete and accurate information about the disease or medical issue.  All reports will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine what accommodations can be made to ensure the safety of the child as well as the other children at the School and whether a child can be permitted to enroll or continue at the School.