How we keep children safe and well
Every rule on this page is quoted from our Parent Handbook, the policy each enrolled family receives. We publish it here so you can read it before you visit, not after you enroll.
Medical emergencies
The procedure the school follows, in order.
A: Assess
A trained staff member will assess the situation and administer first aid as needed. All lead teachers and administrative staff are certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
B: Begin emergency response
If the situation is life-threatening, call 911 immediately. Administer emergency medication (e.g., epinephrine auto-injector) as directed by the child’s emergency care plan.
C: Contact parents
Parents or emergency contacts will be notified immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the emergency contacts listed on file will be called.
D: Document
An incident/accident report will be completed and provided to the parent. A copy is maintained in the child’s file.
E: Escort
If the child requires transport to a hospital, a staff member will accompany the child in the ambulance and remain until a parent arrives.
Illness and returning to school
When a child must stay home, and when they can come back.
Every morning
- Each child receives a brief visual health check upon arrival each morning.
- Staff will observe for signs of illness, injury, or changes in behavior.
- If a child appears ill at arrival, the parent may be asked to keep the child home for the day.
- Please do not administer fever-reducing medication before drop-off to mask symptoms.
Children must be kept home with
- Fever
- 100°F (37.8°C) or higher. Must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning.
- Diarrhea
- Two or more episodes of loose/watery stools. Must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning.
- Vomiting
- One or more episodes. Must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning.
- Runny Nose
- Thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge. Clear runny nose from seasonal allergies is permitted with a doctor’s note.
- Rash
- Undiagnosed rash, especially with fever. A doctor’s note confirming the rash is non-contagious is required to return.
- Lice
- Child must be treated and nit-free before returning to school.
- Communicable Diseases
- Includes but not limited to: chickenpox, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), RSV, influenza. Doctor’s clearance required to return.
The 24-hour rule
Children must be symptom-free for a full 24 hours (without the use of symptom-suppressing medication) before returning to school. This means 24 hours with no fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Tuition is not adjusted for absences. If your child will be absent, please notify the school by 8:00 AM on the day of the absence via email or phone.
Immunizations
- All children must have current immunizations as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Updated immunization records must be provided to the school whenever new vaccines are administered.
- Children who are not current on immunizations may be excluded from care until records are updated, unless a valid exemption affidavit is on file.
Who can collect your child
- Children will only be released to individuals listed on the authorized pick-up form.
- Photo identification will be required for anyone the staff does not recognize.
- If someone not on the authorized list needs to pick up your child, written or verbal authorization from the parent must be provided to the Director in advance.
- Under no circumstances will a child be released to an unauthorized individual.
- If a custody order or other legal document restricts who may pick up your child, a copy of the order must be provided to the school.
- The school will follow all legal orders regarding custody and pick-up restrictions.
Allergies and medication
How meals and snacks work is on our nutrition page. These are the handbook’s rules on allergies and medication.
Due to the severity of nut allergies, no peanuts, tree nuts, or products containing nuts of any kind are permitted on school property.
Allergies and epinephrine
- If your child has food allergies, intolerances, or special dietary needs, a written dietary plan must be completed and signed by the parent and Director.
- The plan will detail the specific allergens, symptoms to watch for, emergency response procedures, and any dietary substitutions.
- For children with known severe allergies requiring epinephrine, parents must provide at least two (2) unexpired auto-injectors to be kept at the school at all times.
- A completed Allergy Action Plan signed by the child’s physician must accompany the auto-injectors.
- All staff are trained annually in the recognition of anaphylaxis symptoms and the proper administration of epinephrine auto-injectors.
Routine medication
- A signed Medication Authorization Form must be completed by the parent for all medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- All medications must be in the original container with a pharmacy or manufacturer label that includes the child’s name, medication name, dosage, and administration instructions.
- Medications are administered by administrative staff only (not classroom teachers).
Safe sleep
Our safe sleep practices follow the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Texas HHSC.
- Infants are always placed on their backs to sleep.
- Cribs meet current safety standards and have firm, flat mattresses with fitted sheets.
- No blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumper pads, or other soft items are placed in cribs.
- Infants are never placed to sleep in car seats, swings, bouncers, or other equipment.
- Room temperature is maintained at a comfortable level; sleep sacks may be used in lieu of blankets.
- Sleeping infants are visually checked at least every 15 minutes.
- Swaddling is not permitted at the center.
Drills, evacuations and weather closures
- Meridian Montessori conducts regular fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills in accordance with Texas licensing requirements.
- Parents will be notified via phone and email of any evacuation.
- Children will only be released from the evacuation site to authorized pick-up persons with valid identification.
- An emergency supply kit with children’s records, first aid supplies, food, water, and blankets is maintained and transported during any evacuation.
Weather: we follow Frisco ISD, not Plano ISD
Meridian Montessori of Plano follows Frisco ISD for weather-related closures and delays. If Frisco ISD closes or delays opening due to weather, Meridian Montessori will follow the same schedule. Notifications will be sent via email and posted on social media. No tuition adjustments will be made for weather-related closures.
Rights of parents and guardians
Our Parent Handbook sets out these rights for parents and guardians of enrolled children.
- The right to enter and visit the child care center during its hours of operation to observe your child, the care provided, and the premises. Visits do not require advance notice.
- The right to be provided with the name and contact information of the local Health and Human Services Commission representative who oversees the center’s licensing.
- The right to review the center’s most recent inspection report and any substantiated findings of abuse or neglect.
- The right to be notified immediately if your child is injured, becomes ill, or is involved in any incident while in care.
- The right to file a complaint with HHSC if you believe the center is in violation of licensing standards.
While unannounced visits are welcomed and permitted by law, we ask that visitors check in at the front desk and wear a visitor badge while on campus. Extended classroom observations should be coordinated with the Director to minimize disruption to the learning environment.
The school will follow all court orders regarding custody and access.
Licensing and inspections
Meridian Montessori of Plano is licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The most recent inspection report and licensing records are available for review at the school during normal operating hours. Parents and guardians may also access inspection reports online through the HHSC website.
Search Texas Child Care (the HHSC website, opens in a new tab)
Ask us anything on this page
The whole handbook covers far more: arrival, communication, behavior, medication times, sunscreen.