Illness Policy

Each lead teacher is trained to perform a daily health check of the children in his/her care. Children with fevers over 101.0°F., or who have rashes, diarrhea, vomiting or what we feel maybe a contagious illness will not be permitted to remain at school, and must remain at home until they are symptom and medication free for 24 hours. Parents are required to report any possible contagious illness or symptoms in their household to the BRMS office within 24 hours. Parents will be called to pick-up their child if symptoms or warning signs of illness develop during the course of the day, and the child will be removed from the group until the arrival of the parents. Upon notification, parents have 1 hour to pick –up their child. All children must be symptom and medication free for 24 hours before returning to school.

1. Blue Ridge Montessori School’s policy for the care of ill children is based on ensuring that the facilities and staff are available and can meet the needs of all the children in the group. Children will be excluded from the group and sent home when:

a. The child’s illness prevents the child from participating in routine activities including spending time on the playground.
b. The illness requires more care than the staff is able to provide without compromising the needs of the other children in the group.

c. Keeping the child at the facility poses an increased risk to the child or other children or adults with whom the child comes into contact.
d. Your child needs to be medicated e.g. cough or cold medicines, Tylenol, or Motrin.

2. Do not bring your child to school if they are not well enough to participate in a normal day’s activities or has been exposed to a communicable disease, develops symptoms of contagious disease or is diagnosed by a physician as having a contagious disease.

3. Do not bring your child to school if they require medication for coughs, fever, or pain.

4. Apply the following guidelines to determine if your child should attend school. If your child is having any of the following symptoms or warning signs, do not send them to school.

Symptoms of Illness:

Infected Skin
Fever
Wheezing
Red, Draining Eyes Yellow Eyes and Skin Constant Cough Vomiting

Severe Coughing Diarrhea

Warning Signs of Illness:

Inactive
Cranky, Grouchy
Poor Appetite
Runny Nose
Pulling on Ears Overtired
Pale or Clammy Skin Headache
Pain when Swallowing

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5. Should your child become sick (shows any signs or symptoms listed) during the day, you will be notified as soon as possible. Upon notification, parents are required to pick up their child from the school within one hour. In case of illness or serious injury, when the parents cannot be contacted, the person designated on your child’s emergency form will be notified.

6. If your child is given a prescription for an illness, they can return to school after taking the medication for 24 hours and with a doctor’s note.

7. In the event of a serious illness or injury, at the discretion of the Director or their designee, the paramedics will be called, and your child will be transported to the nearest hospital. You will be notified as soon as the situation permits.

8. During out-breaks of influenza or any serious disease, BRMS may take additional steps to ensure the health and welfare of all our enrolled students.

Medication – All medication and topical medication must be turned in directly to the School Office from the parent.With the exception of diaper creams, sunscreen, insect repellant, Ora-gel, Chap Stick, Vaseline, and emergency life-saving medication such as an Epi-pen, and inhalers. Blue Ridge Montessori School does not administer or store any medications.
For topical medications, you are required to fill out a Parent Consent form.
Emergency Medications require a Medication Form with a Doctor’s signature.
All medications and topical medications must be in the original container, have a valid expiration date, be labeled with your child’s full name, and you the parent must deliver the above items to School Office for proper storage.