Head lice are common among preschool- and school-age children, but they do not spread disease and are not a sign of poor hygiene. Child care providers can respond effectively through private family communication, accurate identification, sensible exclusion rules, limited cleaning, prevention education, and written procedures that avoid stigma, panic, unnecessary pesticide use, and missed care.
School-age children need care that fits around school schedules, transportation, homework, friendships, activity, and growing independence. This guide explains what families and providers should consider for before-school, after-school, holiday, and summer programs, including supervision, mixed-age groups, screen use, emergency planning, older-child autonomy, family communication, and the transition toward limited self-care.
