Idaho CareLine: Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588 The Child Care Provider's Role in Immunizations Why Should the Child Care Provider Care? Under Idaho Code 39-1118, all licensed child care providers are required to keep immunization records on file for each child. Parents are required to provide proof of immunization or documentation of why they are exempted from receiving immunizations within 14 days of enrollment. The primary purpose of this law is to protect the health and well being of ALL children (age 4 months to 12 years) in child care. Vaccinations are recommended for 10 dangerous diseases. Idaho Code requires vaccinations for the following nine diseases: DTP or DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) Polio MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Hib (haemophiles influenzae "type b) Hepatitis B It is important children receive these shots for their own improved health, but also for the safety of the other children (and adults) at the child care center. If all children are immunized, it is less likely the diseases will spread to others. Exemptions and Exceptions Under the Law A child is not required under Idaho Code to be immunized if the parent provides written, signed documentation of the following: Written medical proof of (a) the child's immunity to any of the above nine diseases or (b) a physician's statement that the child previously had been diagnosed and treated for measles (rubella) or mumps. Written statement from a licensed physician that the child's life or health would be at risk if any or all of the required immunizations were given. Written statement from the parent(s) of religious or personal objections to the required immunizations. If a child is not immunized for one of the above reasons, the parents must provide the written documentation within 14 days of enrolling their child in child care. This written documentation must be contained in the childcare provider's immunization file in order to meet the child care licensing requirement. As a child care provider, you have the right to develop operating policies/procedures for your home/center that are more stringent than Idaho Code. You are not "required" under the law to accept children into your home/center who are not immunized. If you chose to develop such a policy, it would be best for you to discuss this requirement and your personal belief about the importance of timely immunizations with parents during your first interview with the parent. This will eliminate any chance of misunderstandings in the future around this issue. What Can the Child Care Provider Do? Communication. You have a very key role and opportunity to help promote the health of the children you care for in your home/center. Children who receive their immunizations on time are healthier children. Unlike the pediatrician or health care provider, you see parents on a daily basis, and you can make use of those opportunities to remind them of needed immunizations. You can help educate parents by becoming familiar with the vaccines, the health benefits for children, and knowing where in your community parents can go for free or low-cost immunizations, or to get more information about vaccines. Parents trust you and your opinion. Use your influence to encourage them into action. For more information, contact your local health district office or contact the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588 or 1-208-332-7205 (TDD). Update Your Records. The Idaho State Immunization Law requires each child in your child care facility have a completed immunization record on file. Getting organized will make it easier for you. Keep your records updated and know (according to your records) when a child is missing or in need of a vaccination. This will ensure you are in compliance with Idaho law. For additional child care licensing information, see Child Care Licensing. The Keep On Track Solution Keep On Track, SAFECO's Child Care Immunization Project, helps child care/preschool providers establish partnerships with families to increase the number of children getting properly immunized in Idaho. In Idaho, Keep On Track originally was made possible through a grant by ORE-IDA Foods, Inc., and the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation. Partners in Idaho's Project include the Treasure Valley United Way's Success by Six, Child Care Connections, Central District Health Department, CISS-Healthy Child Care Idaho, Head Start, Idaho Immunize by Two Coalition, Family Advocate Program, and FOX Channel 12. In 2000, Keep on Track was expanded statewide through grants from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Idaho CareLine: Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588
The Child Care Provider's Role in Immunizations
Why Should the Child Care Provider Care?
Under Idaho Code 39-1118, all licensed child care providers are required to keep immunization records on file for each child. Parents are required to provide proof of immunization or documentation of why they are exempted from receiving immunizations within 14 days of enrollment. The primary purpose of this law is to protect the health and well being of ALL children (age 4 months to 12 years) in child care.
Vaccinations are recommended for 10 dangerous diseases. Idaho Code requires vaccinations for the following nine diseases:
It is important children receive these shots for their own improved health, but also for the safety of the other children (and adults) at the child care center. If all children are immunized, it is less likely the diseases will spread to others.
Exemptions and Exceptions Under the Law
A child is not required under Idaho Code to be immunized if the parent provides written, signed documentation of the following:
If a child is not immunized for one of the above reasons, the parents must provide the written documentation within 14 days of enrolling their child in child care. This written documentation must be contained in the childcare provider's immunization file in order to meet the child care licensing requirement.
As a child care provider, you have the right to develop operating policies/procedures for your home/center that are more stringent than Idaho Code. You are not "required" under the law to accept children into your home/center who are not immunized.
If you chose to develop such a policy, it would be best for you to discuss this requirement and your personal belief about the importance of timely immunizations with parents during your first interview with the parent. This will eliminate any chance of misunderstandings in the future around this issue.
What Can the Child Care Provider Do?
Communication. You have a very key role and opportunity to help promote the health of the children you care for in your home/center. Children who receive their immunizations on time are healthier children. Unlike the pediatrician or health care provider, you see parents on a daily basis, and you can make use of those opportunities to remind them of needed immunizations.
You can help educate parents by becoming familiar with the vaccines, the health benefits for children, and knowing where in your community parents can go for free or low-cost immunizations, or to get more information about vaccines.
Parents trust you and your opinion. Use your influence to encourage them into action. For more information, contact your local health district office or contact the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588 or 1-208-332-7205 (TDD).
Update Your Records. The Idaho State Immunization Law requires each child in your child care facility have a completed immunization record on file. Getting organized will make it easier for you. Keep your records updated and know (according to your records) when a child is missing or in need of a vaccination. This will ensure you are in compliance with Idaho law. For additional child care licensing information, see Child Care Licensing.
The Keep On Track Solution
Keep On Track, SAFECO's Child Care Immunization Project, helps child care/preschool providers establish partnerships with families to increase the number of children getting properly immunized in Idaho.
In Idaho, Keep On Track originally was made possible through a grant by ORE-IDA Foods, Inc., and the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation. Partners in Idaho's Project include the Treasure Valley United Way's Success by Six, Child Care Connections, Central District Health Department, CISS-Healthy Child Care Idaho, Head Start, Idaho Immunize by Two Coalition, Family Advocate Program, and FOX Channel 12. In 2000, Keep on Track was expanded statewide through grants from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.