I would like to introduce myself to the parents of children attending preschool at the Child Development Center (CDC).  My name is Judy Smith. I am the full-time Registered Nurse, and I am here at the school Monday through Friday. 

Please let us know if you have any concerns regarding your child’s health while at school.  If your child becomes ill or injured while at school, the nurse will attempt to call you at the contact numbers you have provided the school.  Please be sure you keep the school updated with your current contact numbers.

 Child Well Exams/Immunizations

All children attending preschool must have a recent well child exam and must have all the required immunizations.  If you need assistance locating a clinic which can provide this exam for your child or need information regarding which immunizations are required for preschool, please let us know.  If you have not already provided the school with a Statement of Health from your child’s physician, or have not provided a copy of your child’s immunization record, please do so as soon as possible.  The school nurses will review your child’s record and if it is not up-to-date, we will contact you either by phone or letter, to let you know which immunizations your child still needs to comply with state requirements for preschool.

 Flu Season

The flu season is here!  Many parents have questions about flu symptoms and are unsure whether to send their child to school or to keep their child home.  The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.  In addition to the seasonal flu, there is a new and very different influenza virus causing illness called 2009 H1N1.  Both the 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu can cause illness symptoms.  The Center for Disease Control recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.  A new vaccine against 2009 H1N1 is now available (see home page for H1N1 vaccination clinic locations, dates and times).  Ask your doctor about the new 2009 H1N1 vaccine.  A seasonal vaccine will not protect against 2009 H1N1.

When to keep a child home

If your child has flu-like symptoms, a fever of 100 degrees oral or higher, and a cough or sore throat, it is recommended that you keep your child home until your child is feeling better and fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine.  There are antiviral drugs which can treat both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu. These need to be prescribed by a doctor and they work best when started during the first 2 days of illness.

 The Center for Disease Control recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu:

  1) vaccination

  2) everyday preventive actions including frequent hand washing and staying home when sick

  3) the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.

 Teach and encourage your children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.  Remind them to cover coughs or sneezes using their elbow instead of their hand when a tissue is not available.  And remind children to practice good hand hygiene.  Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water.

 Your child’s health is very important to us.  Please feel free to stop by the health office and talk with me or contact us by phone at 303-363-0484, ext. 21523.