NH Standards & Licensing Regulations on Illness & Attendance
Exclusion from Child Care: 1. The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in the program’s activities, as determined by the childcare provider. 2. The illness makes the child have a greater need for care that the teachers can manage without compromising the care of other children in the group. 3. The child has persistent symptoms that indicate a more serious virus, ie: Flu, Covid, RSV. The symptoms of illness shall include but are not limited to: More than one episode of vomiting in one day; More than one episode of diarrhea in one day; Uncontrolled coughing or wheezing; Unusual or extreme fatigue or lethargy; Skin lesions which have not been diagnosed or treated by a licensed health practitioner; or An oral temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, an under arm temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher combined with any of the following: Diarrhea; Rash; Ear ache; Sore throat; or Vomiting When a child exhibits symptoms of illness as specified in (A) or (B) above, child care personnel shall contact the child’s parent and inform them of the need to remove their child from the program. Child care personnel shall provide any child who is ill an opportunity to rest or do a quiet activity in a comfortable, private, supervised area until the parents arrive to pick up the child. When any child care personnel or children in the program have symptoms of or are known to have a communicable disease, the family child care provider, center director, or his/her designee shall contact the bureau of disease control and prevention for instructions regarding whether the ill individual is required to be excluded from the program and to determine reporting requirements in accordance with RSA 141-C: 7 and HeP 301.03 etc. Refer to State Licensing Rules page 45. Procedures for an ill child: Allow the child to rest, or do a quiet activity Take the child’s temperature Report to the director or the supervisor, after observing, document. The director, supervisor, or teacher will call the child’s parents, guardians, or alternate pick up, and let them know: The child’s symptoms; The procedures you have followed at this time; Whether the child should be picked up as soon as possible If the child remains at the center: Observe closely for any change in symptoms; Pay close attention to the child’s temperature by checking it every hour If the child is waiting to be picked up: Make the child as comfortable as possible, allow to rest, or do a quiet activity; Place in a quiet area away from the other children If the child does not have a temperature, and you are unsure whether the child should be picked up, call the parents, legal guardian, or alternate pick up, to explain your concerns, and let them decide. Other WCC Policy Conditions of Exclusion: A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above Contagious diseases (may return after 24 hours after beginning an antibiotic, or prescribed medication by their doctor, or a doctor’s note) Vomiting Undiagnosed rashes Head lice Scabies
Behavior Management
Behavior Management The Whole Child Center implements a positive pro-social approach to behavior management and classroom participation. The teachers recognize positive behavior verbally, with affection and with bright moment notes. We as a center work to teach children the developmentally appropriate expectations (Safe, kind and responsible) in each classroom. If the children are not responding to the expectations taught and are having difficulty participating, the following steps will be taken: Conference with the families Develop strategies as a team to try alternative approaches Each classroom teacher will designate an appropriate “calming down” or “quiet area, i.e., table activity, book area or an area that is easily observed to make sure the child does not need additional support. Each Classroom will be taught the expectations of the “calming down” area and taught how to use the “Turtle Technique” (see attached Handout) Aggressive behavior- any behavior that puts any child’s safety at risk must leave the classroom and go to a calm area (kitchen, office) Non-compliant behaviors- expectations will be reviewed with the child and redirected to another activity. Staff will model and encourage prosocial interactions. “Calming down” areas may be inside the classroom, in another classroom, in the kitchen area or office. If these techniques are ineffective, the teacher/Director will schedule a conference with the parents and collaboratively come up with a plan that best suits the needs of the child/family. When a child has been aggressive with another child: Give immediate attention to the child who may have been hurt; if the child is injured, follow medical procedures. Remove the child exhibiting aggressive behaviors and bring him or her to the “calming down” area. Bring both children back to the situation and redirect with appropriate behavior. Document all information regarding severe behaviors that require further intervention. To Summarize: When children are aggressive and are not safe to be in the classroom the following will be done: Take the child to a safe place and make sure all children are safe Notify the director immediately Document all incidences Parents will be contacted Parents & teachers will develop a plan to increase pro-social behaviors Regular communication between staff and parents Contact professional assistance if the child is not able to function in the classroom, safety. Exclusion only when the team determines it is not safe for the child or other children.
Holiday Schedules
We are closed for the following Federal Holidays annually New Year’s Day Memorial Day The week of July 4th Labor Day Thanksgiving Day and the day after Christmas Eve Closing at noon Christmas Day Some years if the holiday falls on a weekend we may choose to take either the Friday before off or the Monday after. We will always post any closings on the main doors to the building. When the public school delays, cancels or releases early, we are open for child care. However, on rare occasions if the State of NH declares a weather emergency and asks the public to stay off the roads, we may need to close the center. Other occasions that may force us to close could be no electricity, heat, or water. Other times we will announce on our Class Dojo, post on the main doors, and on the local radio station WFTN 94.1 FM.
Parent Staff Communication
All communication regarding The Whole Child Center’s staff, students, policies, and procedures must be communicated as follows: With confidentiality; In a professional manner; Must be done at The Whole Child Center. If a staff member is not able to reach a parent during school hours, an evening phone call may be necessary to set up an appointment or to communicate a classroom activity. The following methods of parent communication will be used: Monthly classroom newsletters/ quarterly office newsletters Telephone calls Conferences Written note Progress reports ClassDojo All issues and concerns involving a student must be communicated to the parent. Any and all information regarding students is confidential and shall not be discussed outside of the center with any other individuals, including staff. Immediate termination can result in discussing students, parents or staff outside of the center in an inappropriate manner.
Daily Materials We Provide
Whole Child Center provides the following items needed daily Nap mats and sheets for rest time Milk for children 2 and under at AM snack and lunch time Water is served throughout the day for all children Extra water cups if forgotten at home
Daily Materials Parents Provide
Parents please provide the following daily Extra clothes to keep in their cubbies (sweat pants, socks), even if your child is toilet trained. We have been known to do messy projects and have mud play outside. Outdoor clothing, we make every attempt to go outside except in extremely bad weather. Swim suit & towel during warm weather Bug spray & sunscreen Blanket for rest time and stuffed animal to cuddle. (please label personal items that stay at school, we make every attempt to make sure personal items are returned to children’s cubbies) Lunch & a few snacks daily (please pack and ice pack to keep cold) Spare snacks if needed depending on your child’s appetite.