Coverage for the daycare?

Oooh ooh! Daycare over here! I am a mix of pre-k, Head Start, and daycare at my job. And it's true- we are totally different from the school systems in terms of how we administer health services. Even our pre-k classes don't follow state school laws- they follow daycare laws, because they're housed within a daycare facility and that's how my state works.

So far, in my experience, early childhood education and childcare is the wild west of health services. If you check to see what your state has in terms of regulations, laws, etc. you may very well find nothing that involves a nurse. Where I am, childcare workers are expected to provide all the meds, first aid care, etc. I have to somehow make sure they're trained, but my state gives no guidance on how best to accomplish that (like an online med course, for example). It's very much a figure it out as I go kind of situation.

Feel free to ask all the questions you want here, Tadaaa, or message me directly. I'm more than happy to share what I've learned.

11 minutes ago, UrbanHealthRN said:

Oooh ooh! Daycare over here! I am a mix of pre-k, Head Start, and daycare at my job. And it's true- we are totally different from the school systems in terms of how we administer health services. Even our pre-k classes don't follow state school laws- they follow daycare laws, because they're housed within a daycare facility and that's how my state works.

So far, in my experience, early childhood education and childcare is the wild west of health services. If you check to see what your state has in terms of regulations, laws, etc. you may very well find nothing that involves a nurse. Where I am, childcare workers are expected to provide all the meds, first aid care, etc. I have to somehow make sure they're trained, but my state gives no guidance on how best to accomplish that (like an online med course, for example). It's very much a figure it out as I go kind of situation.

Feel free to ask all the questions you want here, Tadaaa, or message me directly. I'm more than happy to share what I've learned.

I am just so so happy that you responded! Simply the best! Thank youuuuu for offering to answer some of my questions! I will definitely get back to you. Im just going to eat something really quick. Didnt get to have lunch so I'm famished!

What a day its been! ?

I would be extra careful also!! Ask a ton of questions and maybe even get something in writing.

Nurse coverage means different things to different people!!!

I once was precepting a new school nurse at a very large and busy pk-5th grade campus. The principal actually told us that the only reason she allowed a nurse in her building was so her sped and pre k staff did not have to assist with diaper / toileting issues. She was not really concerned with the asthma and diabetic kids so much......

You can imagine the nurse turnover rate at that school...

59 minutes ago, EnoughWithTheIce said:

I would be extra careful also!! Ask a ton of questions and maybe even get something in writing.

Nurse coverage means different things to different people!!!

I once was precepting a new school nurse at a very large and busy pk-5th grade campus. The principal actually told us that the only reason she allowed a nurse in her building was so her sped and pre k staff did not have to assist with diaper / toileting issues. She was not really concerned with the asthma and diabetic kids so much......

You can imagine the nurse turnover rate at that school...

That Principal deserves all the eyerolls and side eyes. Terrible!

Thank you for the advice! I am going to be extremely cautious. The good thing is that I'm not being pressured to cover the daycare. Totally optional and that really helps.

48 minutes ago, OldDude said:

We have 2 pre k classes; one morning and one afternoon 3 hour class each; average 80 kids total. There are 2 teachers and an aide. I'm fine with the kids. I really think 4 year olds are the easiest to assess; you have little or no social baggage or ideas introduced by parents so there is less subjective chaff to wade through. The teachers, however, drive me out of my ever-loving mind!!! I see at least one or two kids from each class every day for some perceived complaint the teachers have dredged up and are afraid of catching or "they're just not themselves today." OMG!! The kids are here for 3 hours! Most of that is eating, potty breaks, recess, library, PE, computer lab, or what other "program" pops. GEEZ!!!

In Texas HIB and PCV are required for PK (that requirement goes away at age 5) so there are many more immunizations to enter for those guys.

Anyway, good luck! Keep us informed.

Old dude! Thank you so much.

I laughed and laughed at your description of the teachers ??? The little interactions that I have had with the daycare teachers have been very much like you described. Not sure I'm ready for that.

I will keep you guys updated! Thanks again!

So...my former coworker covered both her campus (career and technical center with a bunch of kids migrating in from different campuses for block-scheduled classes for half a day) and the district's staff daycare (staffed by older students in training for teaching).

She had a ton of meds, a ton of sick kids, and a new onset 18-month old diabetic. She also had no clinic aide.

Doing two jobs is difficult.

3 minutes ago, ruby_jane said:

So...my former coworker covered both her campus (career and technical center with a bunch of kids migrating in from different campuses for block-scheduled classes for half a day) and the district's staff daycare (staffed by older students in training for teaching).

She had a ton of meds, a ton of sick kids, and a new onset 18-month old diabetic. She also had no clinic aide.

Doing two jobs is difficult.

"Doing two jobs is difficult" I could not have said that better. That is exactly what it is. Thank you Ruby_jane!

This is what I'll be asking:

1. Is ___ under OCC regulations? If not, what regulating bodies oversee daycare?

2. What is the job description for the Nurse? Please list the duties you wish for the Nurse to cover.

3. Who would the Nurse report to at daycare or will the Nurse work independently?

4. How are the staff trained to handle health issues and injuries? What certifications do staff hold and who does the training?

5. Who handles health and safety topics? Would the Nurse have input?

6. What are your exclusion and illness policies?

7. What hours are you requesting coverage for? Is it a year round position or 10 month?

8. Who conducts your vision and hearing screenings?

9. Do you have computerized documentation system?

10. Would daycare be prepared to cover compensating the Nurse for certifications and malpractice insurance related to the job?

11. What pay rate would you be offering the Nurse?

Should I add anything else?

In CA, the state Department of Social Services provides licensing for child care centers. Their regs and inspection reports are online. Hopefully you can find something similar in your state.

On 4/29/2019 at 4:36 PM, OldDude said:

We have 2 pre k classes; one morning and one afternoon 3 hour class each; average 80 kids total. There are 2 teachers and an aide. I'm fine with the kids. I really think 4 year olds are the easiest to assess; you have little or no social baggage or ideas introduced by parents so there is less subjective chaff to wade through. The teachers, however, drive me out of my ever-loving mind!!! I see at least one or two kids from each class every day for some perceived complaint the teachers have dredged up and are afraid of catching or "they're just not themselves today." OMG!! The kids are here for 3 hours! Most of that is eating, potty breaks, recess, library, PE, computer lab, or what other "program" pops. GEEZ!!!

In Texas HIB and PCV are required for PK (that requirement goes away at age 5) so there are many more immunizations to enter for those guys.

Anyway, good luck! Keep us informed.

Yes, this. This is my favorite part about moving from elementary to middle school! No more preK and specifically no more preK teachers.
I had one who sent me a kid one time that had a bruise and told the teacher that her sister had pushed her down the stairs. Well, I sat down and actually talked to this little cutie and it turns out she was telling stories. They were not related to each other and they were not even recent. She was just talking and telling her teacher a story about something that happened one time. This same teacher would send me kids to wipe their noses or because they had a nose bleed at home before they got to school or even to untangle their shoelaces. UGH! I mean, if you are going to be a preK teacher I am thinking you should know how to talk to a 4 year old and you should expect you might have to wipe a nose here and there and you should know that 4 year-olds fall down a lot and have bruises.
They are adorable and sweet but I am so glad I don't have any more preK kids!