The Cuesta College Children's Center and Lab School is a place for children to learn, grow, explore and engage. For everyone in our classrooms (both children and adults) to participate in our daily experiences, we require everyone in our programs to work together to ensure that illness stays out of the classrooms. Children may not attend school while they are ill or have any symptoms that could be contagious.   

Your child's health is a matter of major importance to all of us and the reason why we keep such stringent policies. Community Care Licensing Administrative Code 101226.1 requires that children stay home if there is a possibility of contagious illness. Despite all our best efforts, your child will occasionally get sick, and unfortunately, may be sent home. If we suspect anything that could be contagious, you must have your child examined by a physician. Please have a backup plan for child care in the event of illnesses.  Each day upon arrival, a teacher will complete a brief health check. Your child may be sent home if she/he appears to have symptoms of illness.

When the following symptoms arise, we ask that you keep your child at home. These symptoms will also require your child to be picked up for school if they present during time of attendance.    

  • **are not well enough to participate in center activities**

child jumping in puddle while 2 other children watch

  • have a fever of 100 degrees or more.
  • have a cold that is less than three days old.
  • have been taking antibiotics for 24 hours or less.
  • have an uncontrollable or unusually heavy nasal discharge.
  • have a constant cough or sneezing.
  • have diarrhea more than twice in a 24-hour period.
  • vomited in the previous 24-hour period.
  • are fussy, cranky, lethargic, and generally not himself/herself.
  • have head lice – must treated at home and checked for nits by a staff member before they can return. We have a NO NIT POLICY.
  • have pinkeye/conjunctivitis. Must be on medication for at least 24 hours prior to returning.
  • have a rash. We will require a doctor’s note to return.
  • have symptoms of a possible communicable disease or infectious illness. (Cough, sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, rashes, headache, abdominal pain, and fever.)

***Please notify us at once if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease (head lice, chicken pox, whooping cough, croup, hand, foot and mouth etc.). Certain circumstances require us to notify the San Luis Obispo County Dept of Public Health and/or Community Care Licensing.  
***If your child is absent from illness for three or more days, we may require verification from a doctor that your child is no longer contagious.  
 
REQUIREMENTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS 

Whether your child presents symptoms at home or at school, they will be required to stay home until 24 hours after symptoms have ceased. If your child had a fever, they must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medication. Depending on the circumstance your child may be required to be examined by a physician before returning to school. 

Staff will follow the Cuesta College Administrative Policies in any circumstance of illness.  

We ask for your understanding regarding these policies as we know that it can be frustrating to have to keep your child at home. We create these policies not only to keep your children healthy, but to ensure that our teachers stay healthy as well. In addition, our program strives to create an environment that promotes a love for learning and opportunity for success. When children are not feeling well, they are not able to be successful in their daily routines.  

WHEN YOUR CHILD BECOMES ILL WHILE IN OUR PROGRAM: 
To help prevent the potential spread of illness your child may be isolated from the other children in the program if they become ill while at school. This may be done by giving your child the option to lie on their rest mat while other children are at table activities, having your child play inside while other children are outside, or having your child rest in the Director’s office.  

During the enrollment process you are required to fill out an Emergency Information Form. This form provides us with contact information for those that you permit to pick up your child from school. In the event of illness, we will attempt to reach the parents first and foremost. If that is not possible emergency contacts will be called. We do expect that an adult from the emergency contact makes every effort to pick up an ill child immediately upon notification.  

Please ensure that everyone on the emergency contact list has consented to pick up the child in the event of illness or emergency and that we always have the most up-to-date contact information for all adults listed on the form.  

Cuesta College Students, Staff and Faculty: If we cannot reach you or someone on your emergency list, we may contact campus public safety to find you in your class or expected location on campus. 

 
We reserve the right to use our best judgement regarding the health and safety of everyone at the Cuesta College Children's Center and Lab School. With this, please understand that we may not be able to accommodate a child even if a medical professional has deemed them ready to go back to school.