Keeping track of illnesses at the Center is more important than ever. Being able to track who had what, when and being able to look for patterns will assist you in determining the health status of your Center. If you are required to work with the Department of Health, this will be a valuable resource.
To keep track of illnesses you need a process that will work for you. A one subject notebook, a 3 ring binder with a form that you create and 3 hole punch, or a clipboard with a form or blank paper on it. Once you decide what works for you, you need to decide what you will be tracking.
We suggest tracking the following, plus anything your licensor requires:
- Date of Illness
- Child’s Name
- Child’s Classroom
- Illness
- Was child at school or called out sick?
- Last date child was there
- If child was there, complete I’m Going Home Sick Form (details the illness and the action they need to take: call doctor, stay out X number of days, etc); keep a copy for file
- Initial who completed the form
For every child or Employee, track in the tracking system you choose, I love the binder. When you get to know us you will find out we are binder freaks! They look so pretty all organized! Here is how to introduce it to the Team:
- Determine who will have access to the binder and complete it. At our Center it’s anyone who works in the office.
- Ask all of the Teachers to share with you anytime a Parent shares any health information with them. They alert the office, the office takes responsibility to discuss with the Parent the health concern and make the appropriate determination.
- Assign someone to watch for patterns, consider hitting a certain number of students ill, that you will alert the Parents. If we get 5 or more cases of strep throat, we email the entire Center as a Health Alert. Our Center is 114 students per day.
- If necessary, report it to the Department of Health or whomever your licensor requires you to. Ensure you follow all COVID-19 protocols as directed by your Local, State and Federal Government.
Sometimes we just are in the thick of things and we think we’ll remember and then a pattern will occur we you honestly won’t have accurate information, unless you are a memory brainiac. Coming up with a system and training on the process gives you accurate information to have on hand and also ensures that your Center can run with out you….maybe to cut your hours in the future.
We keep the Illness Binders for one year, as there is no requirement, but follow any guidance you are given as a licensed Center.
Meet me over in my Facebook group, let me know how I can support you! CLICK HERE, tag me nd I’ll answer any questions.
Cheering you on!
Noelle
