Health and Behavior Policies

At The Early Learning Institute, your child’s health and well-being are our top priorities. Preventing the spread of illness is a shared responsibility among families, teachers, and the school.

Immunizations

All children must have an up-to-date immunization record on file at the WVU Laboratory School by their first day of attendance.

Hand Washing

Hand washing plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of germs. Teachers regularly review proper hand-washing techniques with children and use these moments to teach about germs. Hand washing is required:

Before and after eating, handling food, or feeding a child
Before and after administering medication
After playing in shared water
After toileting or assisting a child with toileting
After handling bodily fluids (mucus, blood, vomit)
After cleaning or handling garbage
After playing outdoors

Dental Emergencies

In the event of a dental emergency, parents will be contacted immediately. Teachers, trained in pediatric first aid, will follow appropriate procedures to ensure prompt care.

Allergy Accommodations

For children with allergies, a Special Care Plan or physician’s note must be provided. Each case will be individually assessed, and reasonable accommodations will be made.

Accidents & Injuries

Minor injuries are a natural part of childhood play. Our teachers are trained in pediatric first aid to assess and treat minor injuries. An Injury Report Form will be completed and shared with families. For serious injuries requiring emergency care, 911 will be contacted, and a teacher will accompany the child until a parent/guardian arrives.

Illness Policy

Despite our best efforts, children may become ill. Families must provide up-to-date emergency contact information. If a child becomes sick, parents will be contacted promptly for pick-up and should consult their child’s physician. Open communication between parents, doctors, and the school is vital to maintaining a healthy environment.

Families must notify the school if their child has a contagious illness. If a child is excluded due to a communicable disease, a signed note from a licensed healthcare provider stating the child is no longer contagious is required before returning to school.

Exclusion from School

Please keep your child at home if they:

Feel too unwell to participate in activities
Have a fever and other symptoms until a health professional clears them
Experience vomiting (twice or more in 24 hours)
Have diarrhea that is uncontrolled or contains blood/mucus
Show signs of a contagious disease (pink eye, head lice, strep throat, etc.) until treated

Guidance and Behavior Management

Our teachers foster children’s social and emotional development with respect, empathy, and positive reinforcement. We use techniques such as:

Setting clear, fair limits
Using mistakes as learning opportunities
Anticipating and redirecting potential problems
Encouraging children to resolve conflicts and make thoughtful choices

Corporal punishment, humiliation, or withholding food and beverages are strictly prohibited. Teachers model respectful behavior and help children develop problem-solving skills.

Releasing Children’s Forms

Forms will only be released to:

The parent/guardian who completed the forms
Monongalia County Board of Education (for Pre-K enrollment)
WVU Legal Affairs and General Counsel

Any other requests for children’s records must be submitted in writing to WVU Legal Affairs.

Emergency Plans

In compliance with WV Code §49-2B, The Early Learning Institute has an emergency plan on file with WVU and Monongalia County Emergency Management.

In case of evacuation, the relocation sites are:

Missionary Alliance Church
WVU Coliseum

We appreciate your partnership in creating a safe, supportive, and healthy environment for all children at The Early Learning Institute.

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