PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Kids Come First collects information in accordance with Public Health requirements and or Ministry of Education requirements regarding children and staff’s immunization and/or health records. 

POLICY

Kids Come First staff will collect, keep and regularly update the immunization records for each child who attends the child care in the Preschool and Toddler program and provide these records to Public Health. These records will be kept confidential and are stored in a safe, locked location.

Kids Come First will also ensure that employees hired to work will have all required immunizations and a record of health prior to their start date.

Children’s Records                                                     

Upon enrollment in our Preschool and Toddler programs, Kids Come First will request families to provide an up to date record of immunizations and vaccines. These immunizations are required to be kept up to date based on age. In the event that an immunization has been delayed, parents will provide a written note indicating why the immunization has been delayed and subsequently any other immunizations also affected by the late immunization.

Kids Come First is required to copy the immunization record and forward it to York Region Public Health upon request. Any incomplete immunizations will be followed up by a member of York Region Public Health. Immunizations are not required for children who are attending an elementary school, however KCF will keep on file any immunizations provided for school age children. School Age children must have up to date vaccines or they may be suspended from the public school they are attending. Suspended children cannot attend any KCF programs.

Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children due to medical, conscientious or religious reasons must provide a written exemption. Medical exemptions must be obtained from a health care provider.  In the event of an outbreak, children who are not immunized, may be excluded from attending the child care until the outbreak has been determined over by the local officer of health.

Employee Records

Prior to commencing employment, Kids Come First will ensure that all employees meet immunization requirements and a health assessment and immunization record as recommended by the local medical officer of health is on file for review.

Employees may choose not to be immunized and must provide a legal affidavit of exemption whether their choice is personal or medical.

Employees with immunization exemptions may be excluded from work, in the event of an outbreak, until York Region Public Health determines that the risk of infection has passed. 

Any changes to immunization records, health records or exemption letters must be provided to the Centre as soon as possible.