Neutral Odor Policy
Purpose
At Common Ground Childcare, we are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff. Strong or lingering odors—including from body odor, perfumes, or smoke—can cause discomfort, allergic reactions, or sensitivities. This policy ensures that all individuals can work and learn in a comfortable setting.
Policy Guidelines
Personal Hygiene and Body Odor
Staff are expected to maintain good personal hygiene and arrive to work free of noticeable or strong body odor.
If odor concerns arise, a supervisor may address the issue in a private and respectful manner.
Fragrances and Perfumes
Staff should avoid wearing strong perfumes, colognes, essential oils, or heavily scented lotions while at the center.
Unscented or lightly scented personal care products are recommended.
Smoke and Residual Odors
Staff must not report to work smelling of smoke, including tobacco, marijuana, or vaping products.
Clothing, hair, and personal items should be free of smoke odor before entering the center.
Awareness and Sensitivity
Staff should recognize that children and adults may have heightened sensitivities or medical conditions (such as asthma, allergies, or migraines) triggered by odors.
All staff share responsibility for supporting a neutral, comfortable environment.
Enforcement
Concerns regarding odors will be addressed promptly, confidentially, and respectfully by supervisors.
Repeated issues may lead to disciplinary action in accordance with the center’s employee handbook.
Commitment
By following this policy, staff support Common Ground Childcare’s commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for every child, family, and employee.
Health Check - DHO and child initiated report
When performing the Daily Health Observation upon arrival or anytime a child seems, looks, or reports that they are not feeling well, including but not limited to: illness symptoms, a headache, being sore, staff should use the “health check” documentation in Brightwheel to share the information with the parents, not the message feature. A message may be sent after the “health check” has been completed.
Staff should ask:
“what happened to cause [reported condition]?”
“when did you start to feel like this?”
“what would make you feel better?”
“would you like [offer appropriate first aid if needed]?”
Staff should inform the office if they believe the child is ill or is reporting a serious concern, prior to sending the health check to parents. As a reminder, all observed or reported head injuries need to be brought to the office and the online incident report needs to be completed.