Daniel Marsula, Post-Gazette Click photo for larger image.

A: That's difficult -- but we think you can move toward a helpful, healthful solution.

Every child care program should have health policies that address issues including when to keep kids home from care. Such policies help programs provide consistently appropriate care for all children -- and a healthy environment for both kids and staff.

We suggest that you request a meeting with the administrator of your child's program. At the meeting, ask to review the program's health policies.

If your program doesn't have official policies (and they should be in writing and shared with all administration, staff, and families), suggest the development of a parent advisory group that can work with the administration and staff to develop policies.

		Parenting 4 Kids Nationally accredited, 4 Kids Early Learning Network serves children and families throughout the Mon Valley. Through this column, 4 Kids staff members answer reader questions about raising children in the critical early years. E-mail questions for consideration to: questions@4kidsearlyed.org, or mail to: 4 Kids Questions, 445 Fourth St., Braddock, PA 15104.

Meanwhile, here are the kinds of illness that many child care programs say should keep a child at home:

Diarrhea

A fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (some programs say 100, and some say to stay home if there's been any fever within the last 24 hours)

Vomiting twice (or more) within the last 24 hours

Contagious illnesses such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, conjunctivitis (pink eye), scabies, head lice, impetigo, or strep

Signs of possible severe illness such as uncontrolled coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, persistent crying, or lethargy

Make sure your program's policies include sanitizing and cleaning procedures and schedules, as well as requirements that staff and children have physicals at regular intervals.

Of course, health policies aren't useful unless they're implemented consistently -- and that takes a strong commitment from the people who run the program. But when that commitment is kept, everybody benefits.