Healthy Kids
We know that children learn and grow best when they are happy and healthy – and this is why the Women’s League finds it to be essential to have a nurse on our staff!
The nurse is here to help meet the physical, emotional, nutritional and social needs and well-being of the children and as well is available to support, advise and answer questions for families. In addition, the nurse supports the staff and ensures that staff are properly trained in the administration of medication, CPR and First Aid.
As a center, we ensure the health and safety of the children and staff, we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for infection prevention, as well as following local, state and health guidelines. Staff are trained in following internal policies and procedures pertaining to the safety and well-being of the children.
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- As a mandate, the State of Connecticut requires the influenza (flu) vaccination for all children in childcare centers. A child will not be able to attend the Womens League is they have not received the flu vaccine prior to the date specified by the State of Connecticut.
- The Womens League will require that a child be tested for COVID-19 is the child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 or they have been exposed to someone who tested positive. If the child tests positive, the child will be unable to attend the center until they have a negative COVID-19 test. In addition, the child must be able to manage secretions such as covering a cough, washing hands and/or effectively wear a mask (depending on their age) while at the center for an additional 5 days and at the discretion of the center.
Additionally, there are other communicable diseases and infections that will prevent children from attending the center. As illnesses occur, it is our goal to keep such illnesses from affecting other children and staff. In such instances of a child being ill, we will ask for a doctor’s note stating that the child is healthy and able to return to the center. Given the nature of a child’s illness, a child may be excluded from attending the center for varying degrees of time – based upon the illness.
In instances of cases of COVID-19 and other communicable illnesses, the center staff will apply additional disinfection and sanitization practices to clean classrooms and common spaces to limit and prevent further spread and contamination. Teachers also apply cleaning practices throughout the day to help maintain a clean and healthy environment.
Please notify the center immediately if your child is seen by a doctor and diagnosed with illness that could affect other children and staff. Working together we can help keep our children, staff and families of the Women’s League healthy and well.
Questions and Answers on Common Health Issues
Our changes in response to preventing COVID-19
- Hand sanitizing stations outside each classroom
- Staff and all visitors are required to wear masks.
- Daily temperature checks of staff, visitors and children upon arrival – no admittance for child or staff with a temperature reading of 100or above
- Increased cleaning and disinfecting in the classrooms and Center.
- An Isolation/Wellness Room for sick children and adults waiting for pickup.
We ask that you share with us if you or someone in your family or close circle of friends become ill with COVID symptoms. Open and honest communication is needed by everyone to keep the Women’s League a safe environment for children, staff and families.
How does my child get vaccinated?
Children 6 months and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
- Check with your pediatrician to see if they offer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients
- Children can also be vaccinated by vaccine providers across the state who offer the vaccine to kids
What health information is necessary to keep current at the Center?
- Physicals are due annually, one year from the date of the last physical on file. All students must maintain current physicals in order to attend program.
- Immunizations must be current and documented. If parents refuse, and Immunizations and Exemption form is available. This form must be notarized annually.
- Medication authorization forms and care plans must be renewed yearly from the date written by the medical provider.
- Medications Families will be notified of medications that expire. No expired medication can be administered.
- Medical Provider return to school notes- please turn in all documentation to Main Office, * If your child is diagnosed with anything contagious, please have your medical provider list the Identified diagnosis.
What kinds of issues will cause children to be dismissed from school?
- Fever (72-hour exclusion)
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Unexplained rashes
- Any contagious illness such as pink eye, ringworm, strep throat, Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, and others.
- Student is not participating and/or staff is unable to comfort a child or otherwise engage them in classroom activities
- Student requires 1:1 staff for an extended period of time.
When can my child return to the Center?
- When he/she is feeling better.
- Absence of a fever for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- When they’re able to participate in program.
- If they’re able to tolerate the scheduled Center
Must my child go outside every day when at the Center?
Outdoor Play is a wonderful way to develop many developmental goals, teach social skills, exercise the body and to have fun! Classes at our Center go outside every day for exercise and play—weather permitting. The recommended guidelines for outdoor play indicate acceptable temperatures of 32-85 degrees Fahrenheit. (This may be changed if the Governor or the Departure of Public Health issues a weather alert or advisory.)
Helpful Resources
- Connecticut Office of Early Childhood The Office of Early Childhood provides funding, standards, training, and oversight to ensure that early care and education programs for young children in Connecticut are safe, healthy and nurturing.
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) Comprehensive information about reducing the spread of illness in child care.
- Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
- Know Your Child’s Developmental Milestones (CDC) From birth to age five, your child should reach milestones in how he/she plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves. This website helps you track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
Contact Our Nurse
La Vonne Henderson
lhenderson@womensleaguecdc.org
860-524-5969
