Toolkit for Integrating Healthy Physical and Mental
Development in Early Learning Guidelines
Health and Safety Topic #3: Immunizations
Caring for Our Children (CFOC) Standards and Healthy Kids, Healthy Care Links [Tips for Parents]
Selected States' Early Learning Guidelines
State Assessment

CFOC Standard(s):

Family Source of Health Care-2.055

The facility shall help families who have no regular health care provider to locate a resource that can meet their needs.

Immunization Documentation-3.005

The facility shall require that all children enrolling in child care provide written documentation of immunizations appropriate for the child's age. Infants, toddlers, older children, and adolescents shall be immunized as specified in the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) (AA). See Appendix G. Children whose immunizations are late or not given according to the schedule shall be immunized as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (3)
Because of frequent changes, an updated schedule is published by the AAP every January and shall be consulted for current information (4).

Under-Immunized Children-3.006

If immunizations are not to be administered because of a medical condition, a statement from the child's health care provider documenting the reason why the child is exempt from the immunization requirement shall be on file.
If immunizations are not given because of parents' religious beliefs, a waiver signed by the parent shall be on file. If a child who is not immunized is in care, the parents must be notified of the risk of the spread of preventable diseases.
Children who have not received their age-appropriate immunizations prior to enrollment and do not have documented religious or medical exemptions from routine childhood immunizations shall show evidence of an appointment for immunizations. The immunization series shall be initiated within one month and completed according to the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). See Appendix G.
If a vaccine-preventable disease to which children are susceptible occurs in the facility, unimmunized children shall be excluded for the duration of possible exposure or until the age-appropriate immunizations have been completed (whichever comes first).

Identification of Child's Medical Home and Parental Consent for Information Exchange-8.015

As part of the enrollment of a child, the child care provider shall ask the family to identify the child's health care providers (medical home) and to provide written consent to enable the caregiver to establish communication with those providers. The family will always be informed prior to the use of the permission unless it is an emergency or a suspected abusive situation. The providers with whom the facility shall exchange information with parental consent shall include:
  1. Sources of regular medical and dental care (such as the child's health care provider, dentist, and medical facility);
  2. Source of emergency services, when required;
  3. Special clinics the child may attend, including sessions with medical specialists and registered dietitians;
  4. Special therapists for the child (such as occupational, physical, speech, nutrition). These special therapists shall provide written documentation of the services rendered;
  5. Counselors, therapists, or mental health service providers for parents (such as social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists).

HKHC Link(s):

Immunizations

Medicine in Child Care

Program-Focused Example Florida Birth to Three Learning and Developmental Standards (p.30)

Physical Health 24 to 36 Months
A. PHYSICAL HEALTH
6. Has regular visits with a primary health care provider. H.S./CFR 304.20(a)(1)(i) - (a)(1)(ii)(c) To promote healthy development, every child needs a source of continuous and accessible health care.
Older toddlers should have a schedule of preventive and primary well-child health care to ensure that problems are quickly identified and addressed. Parents, caregivers, and teachers facilitate these visits by:
  • maintaining a schedule of well-child checks (see Table 3);
  • ensuring immunizations are up-to-date

For references to the state early learning guidelines used see State Early Learning Guidelines Used in Examples
Immunization Content:

Content absent

Content to be strengthened

Content approaches CFOC
Action Plan
     


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