Updated August 2022
In order to provide a safe environment for all within the centre and communities, we have implemented a health and wellness policy which outlines when a child should be kept at home. Additional restrictions may apply, based on government, licensing officer directives and/or staff and management at your child’s centre.
Families need to be aware that we are dependent on the health of our staff and children to stay open. We can only operate if we are able to maintain the proper staff to child ratio.
• 1:4 in the toddler centre
• 1:8 in the 3-5 centre.
Please note that it is extremely difficult to retain a substitute these days
We require that all children are up to date on their vaccinations. Influenza and Covid vaccinations are strongly recommended, but not mandatory at this time.
Parents must notify Just Peachy Child Care if their child is infected with any illness or communicable disease. This will helps us know what to look for in other children and to help prevent any further spread within our centre and community. We are also required to notify other families within the centre so they can watch for similar symptoms.
*We will not disclose the the identity of the child with the communicable disease to other families.
If, for any reason, your child seems unwell at all they need to stay home for a minimum of two days to monitor.
Children may return to the centre when they have been symptom free (without Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen) for 48 hours and are able to partake in regular activities.
Being well enough also means that their nose is not requiring frequent wiping with a Kleenex or back of their hand. We will ask you to pick your child up if your child’s nose requires continuous wiping; this will be decided at staff’s discretion.
Lingering Symptoms may require your child to be seen by a doctor and may only return at staff’s discretion on a case-by-case basis.
If any other family members in your home are ill, keep your child at home until everyone is healthy.
*modifications to this may be made on a case-by-case basis. This includes but is not limited to; Family dynamic, severity of illness, likelihood of reinfection and isolation, incubation or contagious timeframes, etc. and is at the discretion of staff and management.
For certain communicable diseases that we are aware of within our centre, we may send out a temporary alteration to our policies. If your child is showing one or more of the symptoms associated, we will require your child to stay home for an altered timeframe. Even if they are feeling well and have plenty of energy.
Any temporary changes to our health and wellness policy during a pandemic and/or an outbreak will be communicated in writing. We will inform you as to the authorized source of information that our temporary change is based on.
In the event that the Ministry of Health provides another regional or provincial quarantine recommendation for individuals – be it due to international, provincial or regional travel linked to potential exposures, or linked to individual symptoms, Just Peachy Child Care will require all families and children to comply with this recommendation. In the event this occurs, the Ministry of Health, Island Health or Licensing may provide our program with written information; this recommendation will be shared directly with families. These exclusions will apply equally to all children, families and employees.
Please refrain from bringing child to Just Peachy Child Care if your child has any of the following:
• A common cold with listlessness, runny nose and eyes, coloured mucous; this includes green, yellow or white mucous, coughing and sore throat. If the symptoms (runny nose and eyes, coughing) are caused by a known allergy (e.g. hay fever, asthma) the child is not contagious and does not have to be excluded. A doctor’s note may be required to substantiate.
• Pain – any complaints of unexplained or undiagnosed pain.
• Difficulty in breathing – wheezing or a persistent cough.
• Fever (1OO degrees F/38.3 degrees C or more). Fever accompanied by general symptoms such as listlessness or sluggishness may be an early sign of an illness that requires a doctor’s attention.
• Sore throat or trouble swallowing.
• Infected skin or eyes, or an undiagnosed rash.
• Severe itching, dry skin of either body or scalp if caused by head or body lice or scabies.
• Headache and stiff neck (should see physician).
• Unexplained diarrhea, loose stool or severe constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Children with known or suspected communicable diseases.
Children may show symptoms of illness differently than adults. For example, fatigue may show in children as poor feeding, decreased activity, or changes in behaviour.
Take your child to your nearest emergency department or call 911 if they:
- are having difficulty breathing
- have blue lips or skin, or appears very pale
- have red and/or swollen lips or tongue
- are coughing excessively, particularly with a fever
- are vomiting excessively, especially if there is blood in the vomit
- have diarrhea and vomiting, is not producing tears, and has not urinated for several hours
- have a high fever, appears very sleepy, and have not improved with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
- are under three months of age and has a fever of 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or greater
- have pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
- there is new confusion
- are unable to wake or stay awake
- have severe abdominal pain
- have a spreading rash
Parents and guardians should be aware that with the current age group within the childcare, it will be extremely difficult to ensure distance is being maintained and children will be in close contact with others.
If your child has any long-term medical conditions or known allergies, please connect with a manager prior to enrolling to set up a care plan that best suits their needs.
If a child becomes ill or injured while at Just Peachy, we will contact you or your emergency contacts for pickup. In the meantime, we will try to make your child as comfortable as possible. In the event of an emergency, we will utilize first aid and/or call an ambulance.
In extreme situations a staff member may take your child to the emergency room as the location of our facility is adjacent to Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
All staff at Just Peachy Child Care continue to stay diligent with cleaning and sanitizing of toys and surfaces, water bottles, bedding, etc. We will increase cleaning measures as necessary using a Ministry of Health approved sanitizing solution, while in operation.
This includes but not limited to:
- Wiping down all high traffic/touched surfaces and door handles once a day or when necessary.
- Sanitizing toys regularly and immediately, if put in mouth.
- Spending extra time after hours Cleaning and sanitizing
- Increasing hand washing, sanitizing and using direct teacher instruction with children to continually promote healthy hand washing habits. Encouraging children to sneeze or cough into a Kleenex or their bent elbow and not into their hands.
- These can also be encouraged at home! Please talk to your children about germs and the importance of hand washing.
At this point, masks are optional. At anytime, masks may be required.
Ensuring all staff are up to date with their vaccinations.
Sunscreen must be applied prior to drop off. Subsequent applications will happen when needed.
Sunscreen used will need to be provided. Let staff know if your child has any existing skin issues or sensitivities to specific lotions.
Just Peachy Child Care is a smoke free area. Smoking of any sort will not be permitted anywhere on the property.
Medication:
Just Peachy Child Care will not administer any medication that is not prescribed by a doctor. If your child requires medication, please submit a Medication Administering form with the appropriate dosage and times, either signed by your doctor, or accompanied with the prescription in its original packaging to be kept in our locked medicine cabinet. If your child requires any over the counter medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) for minor ailments such as teething; this can only be administered by staff when a Medication Administering form is fully filled out and signed. Medications of any kind can not be left in your child’s backpack, lunch kit or cubby. Please hand all medications directly to a staff member.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and communication. We are all wanting what is best for your child, your family, our staff and our communities.
Just Peachy Childcare 