Head Lice Policy

It is the parent’s responsibility to advise the school if their child has head lice. A pharmacy-approved product should be used to give 2 treatments 7-10 days apart. A child may return to school after the first treatment has been completed and as many nits as possible removed.

A notice will be posted at the school advising parents that a case of head lice has been reported. The child’s name will be kept confidential. Guidance on the identification and treatment of head lice should be posted on the parent information notice board when there is a case of head lice at the school.

At the discretion of the teachers and executive, if it is felt that there are several cases of head lice arising at the school, the telephone tree will be put into immediate effect to advise parents in that program, or in all programs to be on alert for head lice in their family.

The dress-up clothes and hats will be removed from the school when there is any case of head lice in any program. Where possible, these items should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer for 15 minutes. Alternatively, items may be sealed in a plastic bag for 10 days, or placed in a freezer for 24 hours. Head lice and their nits do not survive long away from the warmth and humidity of the scalp so it is unlikely they will spread through casual contact with furniture, carpeting or other soft furnishings.

Handbook Update If your child has head lice, please contact the school to let the teachers know, so that we can post an advisory to other parents. You should use a pharmacy- approved product for treating head lice and follow up with a second treatment in 7–10 days. Your child may return to school after the first treatment. The child’s name will be kept confidential.