Public Health has published a guide that contains general and prevention information on common childhood illnesses and diseases in child care settings. Some diseases are required to be reported to Public Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.H.7 and centres must follow the mandatory exclusion criteria in this guide. These diseases are highlighted in this guide with their explicit exclusion criteria.
For non-reportable diseases, centres are encouraged to develop and follow their own illness policy for exclusion. Recommendations on exclusion for non-reportable diseases can also be found in this guide.
The latest version of this guide is called Childhood Illnesses Reference Guide for Schools and Child Care Centres and has been updated for the 2020 school year. This updated guide replaces any previous versions of A Guide to Common Infectious Diseases.
You can request an electronic copy by calling 1-800-265-7293, ext. 4752.