Health Policies

Page 2

All children will become ill at some point in time. That’s simply a fact of life. Illnesses can be caused by infection, or can be a product of the child’s body reacting to something in the environment. Some illnesses are congenital, meaning the child is born with them. Some illnesses are over quickly, and others may be chronic. Some illnesses are contagious, meaning they can be passed from one person to another, and others are not. 

Obviously, when children are in a group setting, like a child care home or center, the likelihood of becoming exposed to the germs that cause contagious illnesses like the common cold and strep throat increases. Young children tend to get sick more often than older children and adults, because they have not been exposed to as many germs. As early childhood professionals, you will have to deal with illnesses, both contagious and non-contagious, and it’s important that you have a working knowledge about the most common childhood illnesses.

​Health policies are guidelines that support you in maintaining a climate of wellness by promoting healthy behaviors and preventing the spread of disease. The program health policies ensure that safe and appropriate health practices are in place. They also help to guide decision making about how to manage confusing or difficult situations.  All licensed child care programs should have written health policies and procedures. ​  

Written health policies should be signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, or public health nurse. The policy should be reviewed and approved whenever any changes are made in your health practices or procedures, and at least every three years.  

Please remember that the information provided in this course is standard practice.
​Be sure to follow the specific regulations mandated by the state or county for your program.

Each program is unique, so new staff should be trained in the details of your health policy. All policies should be available for review by staff, parents, or others (licensors, health care consultants, etc.). Many programs have a three-ring binder at a central location that contains the Health Policy, Disaster Plan, Pesticide Policy, and Animals on the Premises Policy. ​ 

​Your Health Policy will inform you of what to do in the case of a medical emergency. Among the forms families should sign when they enroll their child is a Medical Emergency Authorization form (also referred to as a Medical Consent form). With this form, families authorize and give personal consent for medical personnel to begin emergency medical treatment before parents arrive. Medical personnel should not provide services for a minor without the consent of his/her guardian. For your protection and the safety of the child:

• You should not accept a child for care before the parent signs the medical emergency authorization form.
• The medical emergency authorization form should be with the child at all times they are in your care. This includes field trips.  

All new staff should be trained in the details of the health policy.
This should be completed at the time of the new employee orientation. ​Keep documentation that the staff person has been trained in the staff files.

"All new staff should be trained in the details of health policy. This should be completed at the time of the new employee orientation. Keep documentation that the staff person has been trained in the staff files." 

Sample Health Policy Documents

• Sample Health Policy from the Child Care Licensing Guidebook, DEL
• ​Sample Medication Record
• ​Sample Medication Authorization Form ​
• Sample Animals on Premises Policy
• ​Sample Fish Policy
• Sample Disaster/Crisis Plan ​​

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Health Policies
3.  Ill Child (1/5)
4. Keeping Children Healthy
5. Daily Health Check
6. Responding to the Child (2/5)
7. Health Policies (3/5)
8. Medication Management

9. Key Points to Medication 
10. Medication (4/5)
11. Spread of Disease
12. Transmission of Germs
13. Standard Precautions
14. Handwashing
15. PPE
16. Gloves

17. Immunizations
18. Cleaning
19. Sanitizing vs Disinfecting
20. Healthy Classroom
21. Children with Special Needs
22. ADA
23. Quiz (5/5)
24. Evaluation Form
Parking Lot