est. 1965
Community Preschool
301 Chestnut St., Roselle Park, NJ
Telephone: 908.245.8651
Director@RPCommunityPreschool.com
WHEN MUST MY CHILD STAY HOME?
WHEN CAN THEY COME BACK TO SCHOOL?
Sick Child Policy : Under no circumstances may a parent bring a sick child to school, if the child shows any signs of illness (see list below), or is unable to participate in the normal routine and program. Sick children will expose all children and staff members who they come in contact with. These people can in turn expose the other children. Sick children want care from their parents in the comfort of their own homes. If other children become ill due to exposure to your sick child, either because they returned to before full recovery or because they were not picked up promptly upon notice of becoming ill, other parents will be unnecessarily inconvenienced. Because this is disruptive to other children and their families, your cooperation on this issue is extremely important.
Every effort is taken to reduce the spread of illness by encouraging hand washing and other sanitary
practices. If your child is unable to participate in the normal activities of the day, including being able to play outside, then your child must stay home.
Fever:Children will be sent home if their temperature is 100.0 or higher and must stay home the next
day for observation. Children must be free of fever (any temperature above 98.6 degrees) for at
least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. The same policy applies if your child
develops a fever at home. They must be fever free (any temperature above 98.6 degrees) for at
least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Rash: Any rash other than a common diaper rash or skin irritation will require that child to be sent home
for an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing of exactly what it is. They may return
to school based on that written doctor’s evaluation, and clearance that it is not contagious.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Children will be sent home if there appears to be an unusual amount of
discharge from or irritation to their eye(s) and must stay home the next day for observation.
Before returning to school they will need an evaluation and diagnosis from their doctor in writing
of exactly what it is.
If the diagnosis is BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS children must have received at least 24 hours
of treatment.
If the diagnosis is VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS your child may return AS LONG AS THERE IS NO
DISCHARGE.
If in fact they do not have “pink eye” we need a doctor’s note with a diagnosis and a clearance
that it is not contagious.
Thick White, Green or Yellow Discharge: Children will be sent home if they appear to have any thick
white, green or yellow discharge. This is often indicative of an infection and they must stay home
the next day for observation. Before returning to school they will need an evaluation and
diagnosis from their doctor in writing and at least 24 hours of treatment. If in fact they do not
have an infection we need a doctor’s note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a clearance
that it is nothing contagious. The Department of Health and most doctors are of the opinion that
once on antibiotics for 24 hours, the discharge is no longer contagious even though it may persist
for up to two weeks.
Diarrhea: Children will be sent home if they have two or more loose bowel movements in one day and
must stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to school (after the day of
observation) children must be free from diarrhea for 24 hours with at least 1 regular bowel
movement. If your child has one or more loose bowel movements on their first day back they will
again be sent home.
Vomiting: Children will be sent home if they vomit and must stay home the next day for observation.
Before returning to school (after the day of observation) children must be symptom free with no
vomiting for at least 24 hours.
Persistent Hacking Cough: Children will be sent home if they have a persistent hacking cough and must
stay home the next day for observation. Before returning to school they will need an evaluation
and diagnosis from their doctor in writing and at least 24 hours of treatment. If in fact they do not
require any treatment we need a doctor’s note with a diagnosis of exactly what it is with a
clearance that it is not contagious.
Lice: Children will not be readmitted until 24 hours after treatment and must be nit free.
To report your sick child, please email the office at rpcpsoffice@gmail.com or contact your
child's teacher via their Class Dojo. You may also leave us a message at 908-245-8651