Knowing when to keep your child home from daycare is one of the most practical — and sometimes stressful — decisions Coquitlam parents face. BC’s licensed childcare regulations include specific illness exclusion requirements under the Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR), and most quality licensed daycares have additional illness policies beyond the regulatory minimum. This guide covers BC’s illness exclusion requirements, what Smiling Kids’ policy is, and how to handle common scenarios. For our programme: daycare Coquitlam. Call 604-600-4393.
BC CCLR Illness Exclusion Requirements for Licensed Childcare
BC’s Child Care Licensing Regulation requires licensed childcare operators to have written illness policies and to exclude children with certain conditions. BC Health Guidelines for Schools and Licensed Childcare Settings specify exclusion periods for communicable conditions. Key exclusions under Fraser Health guidelines applicable to Coquitlam daycares:
| Condition | Exclusion Period |
|---|---|
| Fever (≥38°C / 100.4°F) | Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication |
| Vomiting or diarrhea | 48 hours after last episode |
| Strep throat (confirmed) | 24 hours after starting antibiotics, child well |
| Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease | Until lesions dried/healed and fever-free 24 hours |
| Conjunctivitis (pink eye) | Treatment started + no discharge; or clear without treatment |
| Impetigo | Treatment started + lesions covered |
| RSV / respiratory illness with high fever | Fever-free 24 hours without medication |
| Head lice | After first treatment |
The Fever Rule — Most Common Exclusion Scenario
The 38°C fever threshold is firm at Smiling Kids and at virtually all quality licensed Coquitlam daycares:
- Temperature must be below 38°C without fever-reducing medication (Tylenol or Advil) for 24 hours before return
- A child who is fever-free because of medication — but would be febrile without it — cannot attend
- This rule exists because fever frequently signals active contagion risk to the child’s peers, including infants who are immunologically more vulnerable
Runny Nose Policy — The Most Common Parent Question
A runny nose alone is not an automatic exclusion. However:
- Clear thin runny nose without other symptoms: Generally permitted if child is well in all other respects
- Green or yellow discharge with other symptoms (fever, irritability, changed behaviour): Keep home
- Child who is miserable, clingy, or below their usual energy level: Even without a fever, a child who is clearly unwell should stay home — they won’t benefit from the day and peers risk exposure
The practical test: “Would I want my child next to this other child today?” If the answer would be no, keep your child home.
How Smiling Kids Notifies Families of Illness at the Centre
When a communicable illness is confirmed among children in our care, Smiling Kids notifies all families in the affected room the same day via:
- Direct parent notification (phone + message)
- A written notice posted in the centre describing the condition and exclusion requirements
- Fraser Health is notified for reportable conditions per BC public health requirements
We do not share the name of the affected child.
What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick at Daycare
If your child develops a fever or other exclusion-level symptoms during the day:
- We will contact you immediately — pick-up is required within 30-60 minutes
- Your child will rest in a designated area separate from the main group while waiting
- We will document the onset time and symptoms and share this with you at pickup
Please ensure your emergency contacts are always current and that someone can pick up within the required timeframe. Related: what to pack for daycare | daycare Coquitlam guide.
Questions About Smiling Kids’ Illness Policy?
Call 604-600-4393 or contact us. Full policy is available in the parent handbook provided at enrollment.
