Health, medicine, and sick days
A practical T.L.C. Footprints handbook for illness decisions, medication handoff, allergies, emergency planning, and backup care.
General information for families, not medical, legal, or financial advice. See the Terms.
Start here
Use this book before your child becomes sick or needs medication during care.
Prepare these three things now:
Confirm T.L.C. Footprints' current illness and return-to-care policy during enrollment. Do not wait for a sick morning to ask how it works.
Share health information before care
Tell the provider about any health information that could affect your child's care, including:
Ask what written instructions or health care provider documentation may be needed. Update the information whenever the plan changes.
Make the morning decision early
Check how your child feels before leaving home. A child may need to stay home when a new illness prevents meaningful participation or requires more care than the provider can safely give while supervising the group.
California provides symptom-based guidance for child care and school. Review the official CDPH illness guidance, then confirm T.L.C. Footprints' current illness and return-to-care policy. The program policy and instructions for a diagnosed illness may be more specific.
When uncertain, contact the provider before arrival. A short conversation is easier than arranging pickup immediately after drop-off.
If symptoms begin during care
Make sure the provider can reach a parent, guardian, and at least one dependable local backup. Decide in advance who can leave work or another commitment when the child needs prompt pickup.
When contacted:
Call 911 for an emergency. Do not use the website or a routine message when immediate medical help is needed.
Handle medication before drop-off
Never leave prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, sunscreen, diaper cream, or another health product in a child's bag without discussing it first.
Ask the provider what authorization, instructions, packaging, and safe handoff are required. California publishes a parent consent form for medication administration within its official child care forms list.
Before care, confirm:
The provider must agree that the requested plan can be carried out safely in the child care setting.
Prepare for allergies and urgent needs
For a serious allergy or ongoing condition, provide a clear written plan from the appropriate health care professional when requested. Review symptoms, response steps, emergency medication, storage, and when to call 911.
Every adult authorized to act should know which information has changed. Update emergency contacts and medication details immediately, not at the next annual review.
Keep a second copy of essential instructions for your own records. Ask how substitute care, field activities, or an evacuation would affect the plan.
Build a backup care plan
Illness, provider closures, and family emergencies can interrupt the usual schedule. Identify more than one person who may be able to help, and confirm that each person is authorized for pickup.
Your plan might include:
California also offers a short backup child care planning guide.
A quick health check before the week begins
Take two minutes to confirm:
Bring questions to T.L.C. Footprints before a health need becomes urgent. A shared plan protects the child, the family, and the rest of the child care group.