Health & Safety Policy

Key staff members are trained in First Aid and CPR. In the case of an accident or event that requires medical attention, we will do one of the following:

• Call parents/guardians and emergency contacts to collect the child immediately and seek medical attention
• If immediate help is deemed necessary, we will call 911 and a staff member will accompany the child to the emergency room.

When outside, all teachers will carry walkie-talkies. If an emergency develops, these can be used to immediately contact the office. The office will then contact emergency services, if necessary.

The Darien Nature Center takes precautions to prevent the spread of illness by maintaining a clean environment, providing substitutes for staff, and setting clear limits on the health of children in attendance. Frequent hand-washing is also an important habit that prevents the spread of illness.

To keep all children and staff healthy, we need your cooperation! Please give a courtesy call if your child is out sick (203-655-7459). Recovering children are more likely to pick up a new illness. Keep in mind that we spend our days outdoors engaged in active play. If your child is not well enough to go outside, please keep them at home. If students are exposed to a contagious illness such as chicken pox or strep, notices will be posted throughout the Nature Center and sent home within 24 hours of our notification.

Daily Tick Checks:

Whether your child has been to a class at Darien Nature Center or just playing in your backyard, we recommend you check your child daily for ticks.

Illness:

Please keep your child home if they have/are:

•  overtired or overexcited
•  unable to participate in usual daily activities
•  nasal discharge (yellow or green)
•  an elevated temperature (100 +) within 24 hours of school
•  a communicable disease
•  a rash that may be infectious
•  infectious conjunctivitis
•  head lice, including nits
•  a sore throat
•  nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
•  recently received stitches, staples, or broken a bone

Your child may return to school when:

•  Fever is absent for 24 hours (without medication)
•  Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is absent for 24 hours
•  24 hours have passed after the start of treatment for strep or conjunctivitis
•  the stage of contagion for the communicable disease has passed
•  the child, under doctor’s care, has received permission to return (including in the case of stitches, staples, or a broken bone)
•  the child feels well enough to participate in activities

When a child becomes ill at school:

•  The parent (or alternate person specified by the parent) is notified by phone to pick up the child.
•  The sick child is cared for in the dedicated sick room thus protecting well children.

Allergies:

Darien Nature Center is a NUT AND PEANUT-FREE SCHOOL. We do not allow ANY nuts, peanuts, peanut butter or projects/food containing nuts/nut oil in the school or on the playground. This policy is strictly enforced. (Some of our animal food and birdseed may contain nut products and is kept separate from students with allergies.)

Medications:

Teachers must be informed if your child has received any medications before class (inhaler, Benadryl, stool softener, etc).