Childcare Health and Wellness Policies 2026

Health policies protect all children in childcare settings. Understanding these policies helps you know what to expect and how to keep your child and others healthy.

Health policies

Common Health Policies

Illness Exclusion

Children typically excluded for:

Fever (usually 100.4°F+)
Vomiting or diarrhea
Contagious conditions
Unable to participate
Specific symptoms

Return Requirements

Usually can return when:

Fever-free 24 hours (no medication)
Symptom-free 24 hours
Doctor's clearance if required
Able to participate
No longer contagious

Why These Policies Exist

Purposes:

Prevent spread of illness
Protect all children
Protect staff
Allow recovery time
Public health

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Immunization Requirements

Required Vaccines

Typically include:

DTaP
Polio
MMR
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Others as required

State Requirements

Know your state:

Specific vaccines required
Timeline for completion
Exemption policies
Documentation needed
Updates required

Exemptions

May be available for:

Medical reasons
Religious beliefs
Philosophical objections
State-dependent
May limit enrollment

Documentation

You'll need to provide:

Vaccination records
Updated as vaccines given
Doctor documentation
Exemption forms if applicable
Annual updates

Medication Administration

What Programs May Give

Typically:

Prescription medications
Some over-the-counter
With parent authorization
With doctor prescription
Per policy

Requirements

Usually need:

Written authorization
Original container
Prescription label
Dosage instructions
Specific timing

Limitations

Programs may not:

Give first doses
Administer certain medications
Store controlled substances
Give without authorization
Deviate from instructions

Chronic Conditions

For ongoing needs:

Care plans required
Training for staff
Emergency protocols
Regular communication
Updated documentation

Illness Procedures

When Child Gets Sick at Daycare

Typical process:

Child isolated from others
Parent contacted
Pickup required
Timeline for pickup
Documentation provided

Pickup Requirements

Expect:

Pick up within 1 hour
Emergency contact if unavailable
Program can't keep sick child
Follow their timeline
Have backup plans

After Illness

Before return:

Meet return requirements
May need doctor's note
Communicate with program
Ensure child is well
Follow guidelines

Preventing Illness Spread

Program Practices

Quality programs:

Frequent handwashing
Surface sanitization
Toy cleaning
Proper diaper procedures
Sick policy enforcement

Your Role

Parents should:

Keep sick children home
Update immunizations
Communicate illness
Follow policies
Practice good hygiene

At Home

Reduce illness by:

Teaching hand washing
Good nutrition
Adequate sleep
Timely vaccinations
Healthy habits

Specific Conditions

Fever

Policies usually:

Specific temperature threshold
24 hours fever-free
Without fever reducer
Documentation required
Clear guidelines

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Typically:

24 hours symptom-free
Multiple incidents = exclusion
Consider food poisoning vs. illness
Dehydration concerns
Return when stable

Rashes

May require:

Doctor diagnosis
Clearance to return
Identification of cause
Treatment if needed
Non-contagious determination

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Usually:

Exclusion until treated
24 hours on medication
Doctor's clearance may be needed
Very contagious
Clear discharge requirements

Head Lice

Policies vary:

Some exclude until treated
Some allow with treatment started
Check your program's policy
Not a health threat
Very common

Chronic Health Conditions

Allergies

Programs should:

Have action plans
Know emergency procedures
Accommodate needs
Train staff
Communicate with parents

Asthma

Typically involves:

Action plan on file
Medication access
Staff training
Trigger awareness
Emergency protocols

Diabetes

May require:

Detailed care plan
Trained staff
Monitoring schedule
Emergency procedures
Regular communication

Other Conditions

Work with program on:

Individualized plans
Staff training
Medical documentation
Emergency protocols
Ongoing communication

Emergency Procedures

Medical Emergencies

Programs should have:

Emergency action plans
First aid trained staff
Emergency contact procedures
Hospital transport plans
Parent notification

Your Authorization

You'll typically authorize:

Emergency treatment
Hospital transport
Doctor contact
Medication administration
Medical decisions

Communication

Staying Informed

Programs should:

Notify of outbreaks
Share relevant health information
Communicate exposures
Provide health updates
Answer questions

Your Responsibility

You should:

Report illnesses
Update health information
Communicate concerns
Follow policies
Ask questions

Key Takeaways

Understand policies:

Illness exclusions
Return requirements
Immunization requirements
Medication rules
Emergency procedures

Your responsibilities:

Keep sick children home
Provide documentation
Follow vaccination requirements
Communicate with program
Pick up when called

Program responsibilities:

Enforce policies fairly
Communicate clearly
Train staff
Maintain hygiene
Protect all children

Be prepared:

Know the policies
Have backup care
Keep records updated
Stay in communication
Plan for sick days

Remember:

Policies protect everyone
Illness is normal
Follow guidelines
Build backup plans
Support the community

Health policies benefit all children in care. Understanding and following them helps create a healthier environment for everyone.

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