POLICY: The childcare provider will have a daily conversation with the parent/ guardian upon arrival concerning the child’s health and well-being for that day. The health status of each child will be assessed and recorded daily.
PURPOSE: To assure early recognition and intervention of illness.
To understand what has transpired in the child’s previous 24 hours.
To maintain a safe and healthy environment for all children and staff.
To assist program staff in meeting all children’s needs.
To comply with licensing regulations.
PROCEDURE:
- Determine the status at home of:
a) Eating b) Sleeping c) Mood/Behavior d) Stool e) Urine f) Other
2. Conduct a daily health check of the child, observing by sight, sound, touch, and smell. Examine the child, fully clothed, in the presence of the parent. Assess in order:
Head – Look for evidence of lice, injury, poor hygiene, skin discoloration, or rash.
Eyes - Look for watery, red, runny eyes, or any sores/lumps on lids.
Ears - Look for any drainage, tugging the ear, or swollen area.
Nose - Look for sores or drainage. Listen for congestion.
Mouth - Look for sores, cracked lips, dryness, rash, bright red tongue, white patches. Listen for hoarse voice, coughing. Smell for foul breath.
Neck - Feel for skin temperature or swollen glands. Look for stiffness.
Back/Chest/Arms - Look for evidence of pain. Listen for cough or congestion. (Only if there is some reason would you remove the clothes to look at these parts.)
Tummy/Bottom/Legs - Look for limping or swollen tummy (Only if there is a reason, you may remove the clothes to look for evidence of pain/swelling.)
4. Discuss any concerns with the parents/guardians. Document the findings of both conversations and observations on:
Child’s Daily Wellness Record (See C-4)
Child’s Daily Attendance/Health Check Record (See C-5)
5.The records will be kept in the classroom as a guide for care that day.
The Child’s Daily Wellness Record will be filed in the child’s classroom file at the end of the week and will be available for review per licensing requirements and center policy.
Daily Health Checks in Early Care and Education Programs, UCSF Resource: Daily Health Check