Question: Can a doctor’s clearance certificate override our policies? Some parents bring their child back with a doctor’s clearance certificate, even though symptoms persist.
Answer:
You know the children at your service well, and you know how they usually respond and play. Use your best judgement and service policy.
Look at the symptoms of the child together rather than each symptom individually.
Even if a doctor has reviewed a child, your service can still decide whether the child returns. Services are not required to follow letters from doctors stating that the child can return. Services also should not require ‘clearance’ from a doctor to allow the child back.
It is essential that your service’s policy is clear and families and educators understand it. Your policy should reflect best practice and minimum exclusion period recommendations from Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services, 6th edition.
If you need help ensuring your policies align with new recommendations, contact a Professional Support Consultant
at CCC.
Aisha Grewal
Consultant, Community Child Care Association
