At Early Learning Center North, we prioritize the health and well-being of every child. We believe that a healthy child is a happy child, ready to learn and explore the enriching experiences our preschool offers. To maintain a safe and healthy environment for all children and staff, we have established clear health guidelines that we ask all parents and guardians to adhere to. These guidelines are designed to minimize the spread of illness and ensure that every child can fully participate in and enjoy their early learning journey.
Health Policies at Early Learning Center North: Keeping Our Community Well
It’s important to understand our policies regarding illness to help us maintain a healthy environment at Early Learning Center North. Please carefully review the following guidelines to determine when to keep your child home and when they can return to our center. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in helping us protect the health of all children and staff.
When to Keep Your Child Home
We kindly request that you keep your child at home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Attending preschool when unwell can hinder a child’s ability to engage fully in activities and can also risk spreading germs to other children and staff. If your child becomes ill while at Early Learning Center North, we will contact the emergency contact person listed on your child’s information card immediately.
Key Guidelines for Staying Home:
- Feeling Unwell: If your child is not feeling well enough to participate in daily activities, please keep them home.
- Notification is Important: Please call Early Learning Center North to inform us of your child’s absence and the reason, if possible.
Specific Illness Guidelines for Preschoolers
For the following conditions, please observe these specific guidelines before sending your child back to Early Learning Center North:
- Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires your child to stay home. They must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning.
- New Cough Illness: If your child develops a new cough, symptoms must be visibly improving for at least 24 hours before they can return to the center.
- Diarrhea: Children must be free from diarrhea symptoms for 48 hours before returning to Early Learning Center North.
- Vomiting: If your child experiences unexplained vomiting (one or more episodes), they need to be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning.
- Headache with Stiff Neck and Fever: If your child presents with these symptoms, they may return to the center when they are symptom-free. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider.
- Skin Rash or Open Sores: Children with a rash or open sores can return when the rash is gone, the sores are dry, or they can be completely covered with a bandage to prevent further spread.
- Red Eyes with Colored Drainage: Also known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. Children can return when their eyes are clear and have no drainage. Medical treatment may be required, and a doctor’s note might be necessary for return.
- Jaundice: If your child develops jaundice (a new yellow color in the eyes or skin), a medical release from a doctor is required before they can return to Early Learning Center North.
It is crucial that we can reach you promptly if your child becomes ill during the day. Please ensure that all phone numbers and emergency contact information are always up to date.
Immunization Requirements at Early Learning Center North
Maintaining a fully immunized student body is a critical part of ensuring health safety at Early Learning Center North. In accordance with the Oregon Health Department requirements, all children must have current immunizations to attend our preschool. NCSD nurses will review all immunization records and will notify you if any records are incomplete or if updates are needed. Ensuring your child’s immunizations are current protects not only your child but also our entire preschool community from preventable diseases.
Allergy Awareness and Management
At Early Learning Center North, we take allergies very seriously. Please inform us immediately if your child has any allergies, no matter how minor they may seem. A comprehensive list of all children with known allergies, dietary restrictions, and cultural needs is maintained in each classroom and in the kitchen to ensure everyone is aware and can take necessary precautions. We also encourage parents to be mindful that other staff members and even high school students who interact with our center may also have allergies. Creating an allergy-aware environment is a community effort, and your cooperation is essential.
Reporting Communicable Diseases: Keeping Everyone Informed
We understand that children get sick unexpectedly. Please always notify Early Learning Center North if your child will be absent due to illness. Specifically, it is important to inform our preschool staff if your child is diagnosed or treated for lice or any other highly communicable diseases. This information is kept strictly confidential but is vital for us to track classroom cases and implement preventative measures to stop the further spread of conditions like head lice or other contagious diseases. Your proactive communication helps us maintain a healthy environment for everyone.
Helmet Safety for Outdoor Activities
Safety is paramount in all our activities at Early Learning Center North. When children are using scooters and tricycles during outdoor play, helmets are mandatory. Each child is provided with a personalized helmet, labeled with their name, for their exclusive use throughout the year. This ensures a hygienic and safe practice during active play.
Safety Drills: Preparing for Emergencies
The Sabin-Schellenberg Center, where Early Learning Center North is located, is required to conduct scheduled safety drills throughout the school year. These drills are an essential part of our preparedness plan. The alarm during these drills can be loud, and we understand that this may cause anxiety for some children. We will always try to provide advance notice of drills whenever possible to help prepare our students. We practice Fire, Evacuation, Secure, and Lockdown procedures with all staff and students regularly. Please be aware that during a safety drill, for your safety and to maintain the integrity of the drill, you may be asked to remain in your vehicle or stay in the preschool until the drill is officially completed.
For more detailed information on our safety protocols, please visit the district website: https://www.nclack.k12.or.us/departments/business-services/risk-management/emergency-management/standard-response-protocol-srp.
Parent Involvement: Building a Strong Partnership
We firmly believe that children flourish when there is a strong partnership between home and school. Early Learning Center North operates as both a community preschool and a professional technical preparation program for secondary students. To effectively serve the diverse needs of our students and families, collaboration and cooperation between parents and staff are essential. Clear communication and shared expectations help us work together in the best interests of your children. Throughout the school year, we will actively seek opportunities for parents to participate and support our work and children’s learning. These opportunities will be communicated through our website and via messages from the Early Learning Center North team.
Observation and Documentation Studio: A Unique Learning Environment
One of the unique aspects of our program at Early Learning Center North is our observation classroom. This specially designed room is situated between our two preschool classrooms and allows high school students in our technical preparation program to observe real classroom settings authentically and without disrupting the learning and discovery process within the preschool classrooms. We also welcome parents to use this observation space for the first and last ten minutes of each preschool session. This allows you a glimpse into your child’s day and the enriching environment we provide. Please be aware that the schedule for parent observation may sometimes be adjusted to accommodate high school students completing their observational assignments. Please note that taking photographs on personal devices is not permitted while using the observation room to protect the privacy of all children.
Potty Training Policy: Ensuring Readiness for Preschool
Early Learning Center North is designed to support children who are already potty trained. Unfortunately, our preschool is not equipped to handle diaper changing or pull-ups. Therefore, children enrolled in our program must be fully potty trained before starting. We are committed to partnering with families to provide consistent support and reinforcement for your child’s potty training success. Open communication and a collaborative approach between home and Early Learning Center North will help ensure a smooth and positive experience for your child.
Birthdays and Holidays: Celebrating Together
We recognize that birthdays are special occasions for your family, and many families have holiday traditions they enjoy sharing. If you wish to provide a treat or plan a special activity at Early Learning Center North to celebrate your child’s birthday or a holiday, please notify the preschool staff at least one week in advance. This allows us to make any necessary adjustments to our snack and activity schedules and ensure that the celebration is inclusive and considerate of all children’s feelings. Please also remember that if you are sending out party invitations, they should only be distributed at preschool if the entire class is invited to ensure no child feels excluded.
Items from Home: Keeping Belongings Safe
To minimize distractions and potential loss or damage, we ask that you only send essential items to Early Learning Center North with your child. These essentials include a coat or jacket appropriate for the weather and a packed lunch if your child is staying for lunch. Toys, special comfort items (“stuffies”), and other non-essential items are best left at home. These items can sometimes get damaged or misplaced overnight, which can cause distress for preschoolers and their families. For rest time, Early Learning Center North provides sheets and blankets, which are laundered regularly at the Center to maintain hygiene.
Appropriate Clothing for Preschool
Choosing the right clothing is important for your child’s comfort and participation at Early Learning Center North. We recommend sending your child in casual, washable clothes that allow for freedom of movement and play both inside and outside the classroom. Preschool is a time for exploration and creativity, and washable clothes mean children can engage fully without worry about getting dirty. Clothing should also enable your child to use the bathroom independently, promoting self-sufficiency. We do keep a supply of extra clothing at the center for accidents or unexpected needs. For footwear, sturdy, closed-toe shoes such as rain boots or tennis shoes are most suitable for preschool activities. Please do not send your child to school in flip-flops or other non-sturdy shoes as they are not safe for active play.
