Public Preschool Health

Public preschools in Maine should attend to three school health topics in particular: health screenings, immunizations and the public preschool toileting policy. For more information regarding all school health topics, see the Maine Department of Education School Health Manual.

Health Screenings

More information about the various types of health screenings is available in the Maine DOE School Health Manual.

Immunizations

Children enrolled in a public preschool program shall be in compliance with Maine DOE Regulation 126 or Maine Department of Health and Human Services Regulation 261, which requires a certificate of immunization to be enrolled in or attend school, unless exempted under that law.

• Each child's record should reflect up-to-date status according to the Day Care Immunization Standards as set forth by the Maine Bureau of Health Immunization Program (based on recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices). Dates of immunization (month/day/year) and vaccine type shall be on file.
• Learn more about Maine immunizations.

Day Care Immunization Standards
These standards will apply to the following facilities: child care centers, child care facilities, small child care facilities, home day care, public preschool programs, nursery schools, preK programs, early kindergarten, four-year-old programs or any child development program under the control of the Maine DOE or under the control of the Office of Child Care and Head Start.

See key below the table for more information.

Key

• Hepatitis B and Hib are not required for kindergarten entry.
• *Vaccination with PCV7 depends on the age of the child. Please call 207-287-3746 or 1-800-867-4775 for more information.
• DTaP - Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis; MMR - Measles, Mumps and Rubella; Varicella - Chicken Pox; and PCV7 - Pneumoccal Disease
• Parentheses indicate a shot is due if the child has not received one previously.

Public Preschool Toileting Policy

A school administrative unit (SAU) may not refuse entrance into a public preschool program (four-year-old program) to a child who is not toilet trained. 

• No child shall be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.
• Each SAU must adopt sanitation and hygiene procedures for assisting with toileting and/or diapering that adequately protect the health and safety of children and staff. The following conditions shall be included in said policy:
  • Staff, volunteers and children shall wash hands with soap and running water after assisting with toileting and/or diapering.
  • Children in soiled or wet clothing and/or diapers shall be changed on a washable vinyl table or mat that is cleaned and sanitized after each use or has a disposable single-use cover.
  • Any materials used for cleaning/changing (including any diapers and diapering materials) shall be discarded in a covered, lined, foot-pedal-operated step can separate from other trash or garbage. Discarded materials shall be disposed of on a daily basis. 
  • Toileting and diapering areas shall be separated from areas used for cooking, eating or children’s activities.
  • Potty/toileting chairs should not be used. The only exception will be for an individually-assigned potty that is used and stored only in the toilet room. After each use by the individual child to whom it is assigned, a designated individual shall empty the potty into the toilet and clean and disinfect the potty. A utility sink shall be designated for cleaning and sanitizing potties and be used for no other purpose.

The SAU should work in the following ways to address toileting issues:

• Communicate with the family to establish whether there are medical needs involved.
  • If there are medical needs, work with the family using a medical plan of care to support the child.
• Develop a plan for toilet training.
  • A school nurse, home-school liaison, teacher or representative(s) from an outside agency that may be involved with the child can work directly with the parent to develop a plan for toilet training at home and school.
  • If it is possible to have a home and school plan, develop an in-school plan for toilet training.
  • If the child attends another out-of-home care setting, in addition to public preschool, be sure to include all teachers/family providers in the conversation and plan.
  • Build communication between parties into the plan, as well as contingency planning to review or revise a plan that is not effective.
  • Require the parent/legal guardian to supply clean clothes, pull-ups and diapers.