Health and Safety

In accordance with Childcare Licensing Regulations and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control, children will be excluded from the JSU CDC when exhibiting any of the following symptoms:

  • Temperatures over 101 degrees
  • Recurrent vomiting or diarrhea
  • A communicable disease

The Jax State CDC will follow DHR guidelines and complete an illness/ injury form for all children when a parent is called for illness/ injury. This form will be signed by a Jax State CDC administrator and the parent upon exclusion from the center. Return-to-school information will be included if applicable.

If a child needs to be picked up from the Jax State CDC, someone from the Jax State CDC administrative team will contact the parent/guardian.

The Jax State CDC will follow the Alabama Department of Public Health regarding whether clearance by a healthcare professional is required for a child to return to the center once diagnosed by a medical professional. This information will be included on the DHR form signed by a Jax State CDC administrator and the parent.

Any child with respiratory illness symptoms (cough, runny nose, or sore throat) and a fever should not attend their childcare program. They can return once their fever associated with these symptoms has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen).

Health Update Effective 01/27/2025

Upon review of current CDC practices regarding illness and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the following policies in the Jax State CDC handbook will be changed effective immediately:

AAP child care exclusion recommendations

Any child with respiratory illness symptoms1 (cough, runny nose, or sore throat) and a fever should not attend their child care program. They can return once their fever associated with these symptoms has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen).

 

Your child should also stay home sick from child care if they have these symptoms: 

  • Signs of severe illness such as being unresponsive, irritable, crying more than usual, having difficulty breathing, or having a quickly spreading rash. 
  • Fever (temperature above 101°F [38.3°C] by any method) and a change in behavior or other signs and symptoms (such as a sore throat, rash, vomiting or diarrhea).
    Note: For infants less than 2 months old, an unexplained fever should be evaluated by a health professional. For these young infants, get urgent medical advice for temperature above 100.4°F (38.0°C), whether or not they have other symptoms.
  • Diarrhea, defined as having more frequent and loose stool (poop) than usual that's not caused by a change in diet. Children should stay home if their stool is not contained in the diaper, or if they are toilet-trained but having "accidents" from the diarrhea. Other reasons for child care exclusion: having more than 2 stools above their normal per 24-hours, or stools that contain more than a drop of blood or mucus.
  • Vomiting 2 or more times in the previous 24 hours. The exception is if the vomiting is found to be caused by a non-infectious condition, and the child is not in danger of dehydration.
  • Abdominal pain that continues for more than 2 hours, or abdominal pain that comes and goes, along with fever or other concerning symptoms.
  • Mouth sores with drooling that the child cannot control, unless their doctor or local health department authority states that the child is noninfectious.
  • Rash with fever or behavioral changes, until a primary care provider determines that the illness is not a communicable disease. If your child has a new, rapidly spreading rash that resembles bruising or small red or purple "blood spots," call 911.
  • Skin sores that are weeping fluid located on an exposed part of the body that cannot be covered with a waterproof bandage.

 

Other conditions that are reasons to stay home

If your child is diagnosed with these conditions, they should not attend child care:

  • Streptococcal pharyngitis (such as strep throat or other streptococcal infection), until at least the first 12 hours after antibiotic treatment has started.
  • Head lice, scabies and ringworm until after the first treatment. Child care exclusion is not necessary before the end of the program day. When treatment starts between the end of the program day and beginning of the next day, no exclusion is needed.
  • Chickenpox (varicella) until all lesions have dried or crusted (usually 6 days after onset of rash) and no new lesions have showed for at least 24 hours.
  • Hepatitis A virus infection, until 1 week after onset of illness or jaundice or as directed by the health department

 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024, August 23). When to keep your child home from child care. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-and-child-care/Pages/when-to-keep-your-child-home-from-child-care.aspx 

Note: The information contained in this handbook should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Diaper Cream/Topical Over the Counter (OTC) Ointments/Insect Repellent and Sunscreen

Families who give consent to the Jax State CDC to apply diaper cream and other OTC ointment, including insect repellent and sunscreen, must complete and sign an authorization form as required by Alabama Minimum Standards.

  • The product shall be in the original container and labeled with the child’s first and last name. All products must be labeled with the purchase month and year.
  • Any known adverse reactions to previous product use must be disclosed on the authorization form.
  • Forms must be updated annually.
  • If the sunscreen, insect repellent, or other products do not expire, we recognize that the products are designed to last up the 3 years.

Minor Injuries

In the event that your child experiences a minor injury (scrape, bruise, bump, etc) while in attendance at the Jax State CDC, a trained staff member will administer First Aid consisting of cleaning the area, applying ice, and a bandage if necessary.

All incidents resulting in an injury to a child will be recorded on an Incident Report Form. Families must review and sign the form when they pick up their child. They will receive a digital copy for their records via ProCare. When children sustain an injury on the face or head or are bitten by another child, families will receive a phone call from the child’s teacher or member of the Jax State CDC Administration prior to receiving the incident report.

Serious Injury

The Jax State CDC Administration, Lead, and Auxiliary Teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR. When a child experiences a serious injury or allergic reaction, the Jax State CDC will call 911 first and notify the family next. For emergencies, families must keep the Jax State CDC informed of changes in work and home phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses. Should a child require transport by ambulance, a teacher will accompany him/her or follow the ambulance to the hospital. A Jax State CDC staff member will remain with the child until his/her family has reached the hospital.

Allergy Policy and Procedures

All staff, in partnership with families, are responsible for always ensuring the safety of children with allergies. Allergy and Food Preference Lists are kept by the Jax State CDC Administration, updated as needed, and shared with all classrooms. Families must share knowledge of food and other allergies at the time of enrollment. For a child who has experienced an allergic reaction, the teacher will notify the Jax State CDC Administration immediately and follow the protocol for that child on the Allergy List.

A medical plan will be in place for all allergies and must be documented on paper (signed by the parent) and stored in the classroom emergency backpack.

Two children playing and having fun

Classroom Contact

All questions and concerns regarding your child should be directed first to your child’s Lead or Auxiliary Teacher. If you cannot reach the teacher or have additional concerns, contact the Director or Assistant Director at 256-782-8655.

In the event of injury or illness, parents will receive a phone call from the Jax State CDC. These calls are most commonly made by administration, however, in the event that no administrator can call, teachers will call with approval from the program director. Injury/Illness reports follow the following guidelines for contact:

  • Phone Call to Parents
  • Injury/Illness Report (DHR-CDC-1950) Form will be completed by the teacher, and the incident report will be documented in ProCare (with photo)
  • Upon pickup, the Injury/Illness Report (DHR-CDC-1950) Form will be held in the child’s classroom for a parent signature. The signed form will be stored in the child’s student record.

Helpful Links for Parents & Caregivers

Communicable Disease Chart/Info - countyschoolsinfection.pdf

Developmental Milestones - CDC’s Developmental Milestones | CDC

Parent Information About Infants & Toddlers -Information About Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0-3) | Parent Information | CDC

Parent Information About Young Children (4-11 Years of Age) - Information About Young Children (Ages 4-11) | Parent Information | CDC