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What to Do if You Find a Tick on a Child: A Guide for Child Care Centers

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As child care providers, you are on the frontlines of keeping children safe and healthy every day. Outdoor play is essential for growth and development, but it also brings the risk of tick exposure—especially here in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where ticks are common carriers of Lyme disease and other illnesses. Knowing what to do if you find a tick on a child is important.


Step 1: Stay Calm and Reassure the Child

Children may become frightened if they hear the word “tick.” Calmly explain that ticks are common in grassy or wooded areas and that you’ll take care of it. Reassurance helps minimize stress for both the child and staff.

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Step 2: Remove the Tick Safely

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best method for removing ticks is with fine-tipped tweezers:

  • Grasp the tick as close to the child’s skin as possible.

  • Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick—this can cause the mouth-parts to break off in the skin.

  • After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer【CDC, 2024】.


Step 3: Save the Tick (Optional, but Recommended)

Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container with the date and location where it was found. This can help healthcare providers identify the species if the child later develops symptoms.


Step 4: Notify Parents/Guardians

EEC regulations in Massachusetts and child care guidelines in Rhode Island stress the importance of parent notification regarding any health concerns. Inform parents as soon as possible, provide details of when and where the tick was found, and recommend they follow up with their pediatrician. You can also ask them if they would like you to save the tick.


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Step 5: Watch for Symptoms of Tick-Borne Illness

Ticks in New England can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Symptoms to watch for include:

  • Red expanding rash (especially a bull’s-eye rash)

  • Fever or chills

  • Headache or muscle aches

  • Fatigue

Parents should be advised to seek medical attention if symptoms appear【Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2023】.


Step 6: Prevention Is Key

Child care centers can reduce tick risks by:

  • Encouraging children to wear hats and light-colored clothing outdoors.

  • Checking children for ticks after outdoor play, especially around the scalp, hairline, armpits, waist, and behind the knees.

  • Maintaining playgrounds and grassy areas by mowing regularly and removing leaf litter【CDC, 2024】.


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Why Partner with a Child Care Health Consultant?

As a pediatric nurse and owner of PediNurse LLC, I help child care centers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island create policies that meet state regulations while keeping children safe and healthy. From infectious disease management to medication administration and staff training, having a qualified health care consultant ensures your center is prepared for any health-related situation—including tick safety.


For more resources on child care health and safety and to partner with PediNurse LLC for your health care consultant needs, visit my website at www.pedinurseconsulting.com.


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