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Childcare for Illnesses

Sunshine Suite

A Day Care Program for Sick Children
908-685-2988

The baby has an earache, the six-year-old has a fever and you have a meeting with the boss in an hour! When you need someone to care for a child who is not feeling well, the Sunshine Suite may be your answer.

Located in the Pediatric Department of Somerset Medical Center, the Sunshine Suite provides a safe and comfortable environment for the sick child in your family. A registered nurse will evaluate your child on admission and make frequent observations during the day. A nurse assistant provides supervision.

Activities appropriate to the child's age group as well as meals and snacks are included in the program. Medications can be administered, and if a child's condition changes, emergency medical care is immediately available.

The Sunshine Suite is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, except holidays. 

For more information, call the Sunshine Suite at 908-685-2988.

 

How Do I Use this Service?
Parents who anticipate using the Sunshine Suite must pre-register their child. This ensures that a complete medical history and emergency information is available. A complete immunization record, signed by the child's physician, must accompany the registration form.

At the time the service is needed, a parent should call the Sunshine Suite and speak to the nurse, who will determine whether the child can be brought in based on their condition and the availability of beds. In some cases, a physician's evaluation may be necessary before using the Sunshine Suite.

What are the Policies?

Admission

  • Pre-registration is required for admission.
  • Children must be between the ages of 6 months and 14 years to attend.

Medical

  • Immunizations must be current. A complete record, signed by child's physician, must accompany the registration.
  • Children with contagious diseases such as chicken pox, measles, pink eye or ringworm can only be admitted if isolation space is available.
  • A Sunshine Suite staff nurse will administer medication at the parent's request. All medications must be provided and stored in a pharmacy or manufacturer-labeled container.
  • Parents will be notified immediately of any changes in their child's condition.
  • Emergency medical treatment will be provided and the patient will be billed accordingly.

Child Care

  • Children will be cared for and fed according to age-appropriate guidelines.
  • Meals and snacks will be provided.
  • Parents may call the Sunshine Suite during the day for a progress report, or visit at any time.
  • At the end of the day, parents will receive a written summary of their child's progress during the stay.

Discharge

  • The Sunshine Suite will only release a child to a parent, guardian or person designated by the parent.
  • For an extra security measure, it is suggested that parent and child choose a "magic" word that only they know for use at the time of discharge.

Fees and Payment

  • Fees are as follows:

$50 for Full Day (9 hours)
$28 for Half Day (4½ hours)
$ 7 for each hour over 9 hours

  • Payment is due at the time the child is picked up. Cash, personal check, VISA or MasterCard will be accepted.

 

For more information, call the Sunshine Suite at 908-685-2988.