Elijias Law:

Anaphylaxis Prevention

● Upon enrollment and whenever there are changes, parents/guardians will be required to provide the program with up-to-date information regarding their child’s medical conditions,including any allergies the child may have and any emergency medications prescribed for potential anaphylaxis. The parents/guardians will work in conjunction with the program and the child’s physician to complete the documents required for any allergy that the child may have.These documents will guide all staff in the necessary actions to take during an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. The program will keep these documents and any emergency medications in a designated area known to all staff members as outlined in the program’s healthcare plan and will ask for updated paperwork when necessary.

Documents

● Any child with a known allergy will have the following documents on file when applicable:

○NYS OCFS form 7006 – Individual Health Care Plan for a Child With Special Healthcare Needs or approved equivalent

○NYS OCFS form 6029 – Individual Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan or approved equivalent

○NYS OCFS form 7002 – Medication Consent Form or approved equivalent

● In addition, the child’s allergies will be indicated on their enrollment form.

● These forms will be completed by the child’s parents in conjunction with the program and the child’s physician. In the event of an anaphylactic reaction, staff will call 911 and follow the instructions outlined in these documents.

Staff Training

● All staff members will be trained in the prevention, recognition, and response to food and other allergic reactions and anaphylaxis upon hire and at least annually thereafter. A number of staff will also maintain certifications in CPR, First Aid, and medication administration. If a child with an allergy requires the administration of epinephrine or other emergency medications, the parents will be required to train any staff member caring for that child on the administration of the prescribed medication.

Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Allergic Triggers

● Each classroom will have a posting with a list of individual children’s allergies that is visible to all staff and volunteers caring for the child. All staff will take steps to prevent exposure to a child’s known allergy, including but not limited to reading food labels. Handwashing, cleaning and all other regulations related to allergies and anaphylaxis as outlined in the OCFS Childcare Regulations will be followed by all staff and volunteers.

Communication

● Upon enrollment of a child with a known allergy, all staff and volunteers will be made aware of the child’s allergy and associated medication needs, as well as ways to reduce the risk of exposure to said allergen. In addition, all parents and children will be made aware of any allergies in the classroom, as well as actions being taken to reduce exposure. Confidentiality will be maintained when discussing any child’s allergy with parents and other children.

Annual Notification to Families

● Families will be given a copy of the program’s Allergy and Anaphylaxis Policy upon enrollment. This policy will be reviewed and updated annually. Families will receive an updated copy of this policy annually and whenever changes are made.

____

Illness

Children need to be kept home when they have any of the following symptoms: fever, diarrhea, vomiting, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or discharge from eyes, severe coughing, skin rash of unknown diagnosis, difficult or rapid breathing, or nits on hair from head lice. If a symptom of an illness manifests while a child is at the program, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately and the child will be cared for away from other children while waiting to be picked up by parent/guardian.

Diarrhea: A first excessively loose stool will constitute a call to the parent. New diet may be the cause. After the 2nd loose stool, the child will be sent home until diarrhea subsides and normal stools are produced at home. When a child returns after a bout of diarrhea, it is a provisional return; if the child experiences another bout of diarrhea, he or she must be picked up immediately.

Fever: If a child has an ear temperature of 100.6 degrees or greater, parent will be asked to pick up the child. The child may return when he/she is fever free and after being kept home for at least 24 hours. This means that your child will be out of the program for one full day after being sent home.

Vomiting

Exclusion for vomiting is decided by incident. Two or more episodes will be cause for exclusion. A first vomiting episode may cause exclusion if the teacher determines that the situation for the child is extreme or debilitating.

Eye Discharge

Eyes must be free of mucus or running substance. Children are asked to be kept home for 24 hours after beginning medication. Clogged tear gland conditions must have a written physician’s note.

Skin Rash

If a child has a rash of any kind, the child will be sent home until the rash is gone or until a physician’s note has been received stating that the rash is not contagious. A physician’s certificate of good health is required to return.

Lice

If a child has signs of any kind that indicate lice may be present, the child will be sent home until the child has been properly checked and cleared or until a physician’s note has been received stating that the infestation has been treated. A physician’s certificate of good health is required to return.

Prescription Medications

Crayon Power staff does not administer medication, with the exception of an EpiPen, inhailer, and Nebulizer in emergency situations. We ask that parents administer medication before bringing their child to school.

Chronic Medical Conditions

If your child has a chronic medical condition, which needs “as needed” treatment (e.g. asthma, eczema, seizures due to high fever), we need physician instructions on file at the program.

Children’s Injuries

If your child sustains a minor injury while at the program (e.g., scraped knee), you will receive an Accident/Incident Report outlining the incident and course of action taken by the staff member. Minor wounds, such as cuts, scrapes, or bites, will be washed with liquid soap and cool, running water followed by rinsing. A dry bandage or dressing may be applied as appropriate. You will be contacted immediately if the injury produces any type of swelling, is on the face or head, or needs medical attention.

If a serious medical emergency occurs, the child will be taken to the hospital immediately, accompanied with a staff member, by ambulance, and a staff member will contact you (or a designated emergency contact if you cannot be reached).

It is important that CP has medical coverage information should it be required by the medical provider.We freely use bandages (i.e. Bandaids) and may use antibacterial soap.

Emergency Routine

Emergency disaster plans are located in the entry area of Prospect Explorer’s with Crayon Power inc.. Our policy is to dial 911 in the event of an extreme emergency. Families will be notified about Shelter-in-place and Fire-emergency protocols by email in the beginning of the school year.

Vaccination Policy

Before the first day of enrollment, all families need to fill out a medical form and submit immunization records. Children cannot be admitted to Crayon Power Playschool until this form has been completed by a doctor.

COVID-19 Policy 2021-22

Deep cleanings occur every other week. Our HEPA air filter runs overnight. Read about filters like ours on the EPA’s website.

Mask and COVID Policy

● All staff members are fully vaccinated.
● Children are reminded throughout the day to keep their masks on unless there is a medical reason not to.
● We will not keep children from participating in activities because of their inability to wear a mask.
● Face coverings cannot be worn while in water/sprinklers.
● We have PPE and a handwashing schedule.
● Hand washing is most effective and will be used as opposed to hand sanitizer.

○ From NYS DOH – “Responsible Parties must require children and staff to practice hand hygiene and require supervision of young children:

o Upon arrival to the first program activity;
o Between all program activities;
o After using the restroom;
o Before eating; and,
o Before departing the last program activity.”

We have daily temp checks. If your child has a temp then they will not be allowed to stay. We recommend that you provide a negative COVID test to return—email results to Kristen. If your child develops a fever while in our care, you’ll be asked to pick them up immediately. Other families will also be notified that a child developed a fever while in our care. We will not disclose the name of the child.

One child in your household that attends the CP preschool collective or after school can be tested for COVID once per month. If you have two or more children attending, please alternate testing.

Afterschool

If a school closes due to quarantine measures, the child(ren) of that school will be asked to produce a negative COVID test in order to return.

Drop-in visits/classes

If possible, please have everyone attending the visit tested for COVID (w/negative results) prior to arrival. Only one parent/caregiver is allowed during the visit. By signing below, you agree that neither your child nor anyone in the household has displayed symptoms of COVID 19 within the past 10 days of signing.

Staying Home When Sick

Children and staff who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19, should stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care. Staying home when sick with COVID-19 is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of programs and prevent spread to others. It also is essential for people who are not fully vaccinated to quarantine after recent exposure to someone with COVID-19.

The overlap between COVID-19 symptoms with other common illnesses means that some people with symptoms of COVID-19 could be ill with something else. This is even more likely in young children, who typically have multiple viral illnesses each year. Although COVID-19, colds, and flu illnesses have similar symptoms, they are different diseases. Children who have symptoms of infectious illness or certain symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend the program. Please be on the alert for signs of illness in children and to keep them home when they are sick. Parents should pay particular attention to:

●Fever (temperature 100.4 ºF or higher)
●Sore throat
●New uncontrolled cough OR cough that causes difficulty breathing (for a child withchronic allergic/asthmatic cough, see if there is a change from their usual cough)
●Diarrhea, vomiting, or stomachache
●New onset of severe headache, especially with fever

The length of time the child should stay out of child care depends on whether the child has COVID-19 or another illness. In most instances, those who have COVID-19 can be around others after

●5 days since symptoms first appeared and
●24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
●Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

Children who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms can be around others 10 days after their first positive COVID-19 test.