Outcome C: The student will identify signs of and care for basic childhood illnesses and injuries.
The learning outcomes for this section address topics from the following WACs:
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Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
170-295-3010 What kind of health policies and procedures must I have? 170-295-3030 When is a child or staff member too ill to be at child care? 170-295-3050 Am I required to give medications to the children in my care? 170-295-3060 Who can provide consent for me to give medication to the children in my care? 170-295-3070 How must I store medications? |
Licensed Family Home Child Care Standards
170-296A-3200 Health plan 170-296A-3210 Contagious disease procedure 170-296A-3250 Immunization tracking 170-296A-3315 Medication management 170-296A-3600 Injuries or illness requiring professional medical treatment 170-296A-4075 First-aid kit |
Scroll down to proceed with the coursework.
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1) Read the following pages in the Child Care Licensing Guidebook
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Too ill?
Your first responsibility in keeping children healthy while in your care is to check them for signs of illness when they arrive, as well as throughout the day.
Your first responsibility in keeping children healthy while in your care is to check them for signs of illness when they arrive, as well as throughout the day.
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You May Print or Save Handouts for Reference
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Children with common colds do not need to stay home. Usually a child has already exposed others before presenting symptoms. Refer to your local health department to get a list of contagious and non-contagious illnesses. Excluding or isolating children with non-contagious, mild illnesses can be a hardship on the family and child.
The center must have a clear policy on excluding a child from care. Some infections such as chickenpox, hepatitis, and meningitis require the child to stay home for a lengthy recovery period. The policy should be included in the Parent Handbook, and parents should be encouraged to have a back-up plan for their child’s care when their child is too sick to be in your program. If children are uncomfortable, disoriented, or irritable, they are better off at home getting the rest and individual attention they need.
Optional Online Resources for Further Study
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When a child becomes ill or is injured while in your care:
Children who become ill while in your care must be isolated. Have them lie down in a quiet space away from the other children, but within view of the staff. Staff must supervise ill children at all times. Contact the parents to come pick up their child. Your responsibilities include the following:
- Keep a confidential, individualized, written record in the child’s file that includes the date of an illness or injury, treatment provided and names of staff providing the treatment. (See your Guidebook / Guide for sample reporting forms)
- If you suspect the child has a communicable disease, remember to sanitize all equipment that the ill child used.
- If an injury or illness results in a visit to the child’s doctor and includes casting, stitches, or hospitalization, you are required to notify your child care licensor.
- Notify parents in writing when their children have been exposed to infectious diseases or parasites. The notification may be either a letter to families or posting for all in a visible location.
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