Daily Health Check Procedure

Common Ground Childcare Procedure for Daily Health Observations

Objective:
To ensure the health and safety of every child at drop-off by conducting a daily health observation, as part of the "I Love You" morning ritual greeting inspired by Conscious Discipline, while maintaining compliance with Virginia state childcare licensing standards, Code of Virginia, and subsidy vendor requirements.

Procedure:

1. Greeting & Observation:

   • Upon arrival, each child will be greeted warmly with a personalized "I Love You" morning ritual greeting.

   • During the greeting, staff will visually assess the child's overall health and appearance. This includes checking for:

     • Unusual marks, bruises, or injuries

     • Symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, lethargy, rashes, or any other signs of illness

     • Any changes in demeanor or behavior that could indicate discomfort or illness

2. Documentation in Brightwheel:

   • If the child is a "well child" with no visible symptoms, marks, or concerns:

     • Staff will record “well child” in a Brightwheel “Heath Check” with the “staff only” box checked. No further action is needed.

     • a temperature should should not be taken or documented for well children

   • If the child has any visible symptoms, marks, injuries, or appears unwell:

     • Staff will document these observations in Brightwheel using the “Health Check” and publish the note to parents.

     • The note should include the following details:

       • Date and time of observation

       • Specific symptoms or marks observed

       • Any comments on the child's behavior or demeanor

       • a temperature reading if illness is suspected

     • Parents should be encouraged to monitor the child and provide any relevant updates or explanations if the marks or symptoms have been previously noted.

3. Parent Communication:

   • If there is a notable health concern, the teacher or staff member should verbally notify the parent during drop-off.

   • If necessary, advise parents on the center’s exclusion policies for illnesses as per the Virginia Department of Health guidelines (e.g., fever, vomiting, etc.).

4. Health and Safety Compliance:

   • All observations must comply with the Virginia state childcare licensing standards, including observing for signs of communicable diseases as outlined in the Code of Virginia 22VAC40-185-40.

   • This procedure also aligns with the requirements for state subsidy vendors, ensuring that children receiving care through subsidy programs are adequately monitored for health concerns.

5. Staff Training:

   • Staff should be trained in identifying symptoms of common illnesses and communicable diseases in accordance with Virginia's health and safety guidelines.

   • All staff should be proficient in using Brightwheel for recording health observations, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy in communication.

6. Review & Reporting:

   • Daily health observation records will be reviewed regularly by the director or designated health supervisor to ensure compliance and follow-up on any recurring health issues.

   • In the event of any significant health concerns or patterns, the center will follow up with families and, if needed, notify the local health department as required by Virginia regulations.

By incorporating health observations into the morning greeting ritual, we create a nurturing environment while ensuring that the child's well-being is consistently monitored and communicated effectively.