After reading the CFOC standard, see COVID-19 modification below (Also consult applicable state licensure and public health requirements).
Every day, a trained staff member should conduct a health check of each child. This health check should be conducted as soon as possible after the child enters the child care facility and whenever a change in the child’s behavior or appearance is noted while that child is in care. The health check should address:
The caregiver/teacher should gain information necessary to complete the daily health check by direct observation of the child, by querying the parent/guardian, and, where applicable, by conversation with the child.
COVID-19 modification as of January 10, 2022:
Early childhood programs should implement daily health screening procedures for children and include temperature checks. Programs may need to alter their drop off procedure and daily health screening to ensure they have adequate staff and time to screen children upon arrival and maintain physical distancing. Screening criteria may change as we learn about the different symptoms of new variants.
Children who are experiencing any of the symptoms/exposures/testing listed below should not enter the program.
Examples of screening methods include:
Child screening and health checks are not a replacement for other protective measures, such as the use of a well-fitted mask, consistent small groups, and physical distancing.
Programs should offer COVID-19 screening testing at least once a week. COVID-19 Screening Testing identifies people with COVID-19, including those with or without symptoms who are likely to be contagious, so steps can be taken to prevent further spread of illness. In ECE programs, screening testing can help identify and isolate cases, quarantine those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated, and identify clusters to reduce the risk to in-person care and education. Decisions regarding screening testing may be made at the state or local level.
Programs that conduct daily health screenings should do so safely, respectfully, and confidentially, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
There is overlap between COVID-19 symptoms and other common infectious childhood illnesses. Therefore, follow the program illness exclusion guidelines and refer to COVID-19 modification for Standard 3.6.1.1 Inclusion/Exclusion/Dismissal of Children.
Daily health checks seek to identify potential concerns about a child’s health including recent illness or injury in the child and the family. Health checks may serve to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in child care settings by identifying children who should be excluded, and enable the caregivers/teachers to plan for necessary care while the child is in care at the facility.
The daily health check should be performed in a relaxed and comfortable manner that respects the family’s culture as well as the child’s body and feelings. The child care health consultant should train the caregiver/teacher(s) in conducting a health check. The items in the standard can serve as a checklist to guide learning the procedure until it becomes routine.
The obtaining of information from the parent/guardian should take place at the time of transfer of care from the parent/guardian to the staff of the child care facility. If this exchange of information happens outside the facility (e.g., when the child is put on a bus), the facility should use an alternative means to accurately convey important information. Handwritten notes, electronic communications, health checklists, and/or daily logs are examples of how parents/guardians and staff can exchange information when face-to-face is not possible.
Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home