Head Lice at Preschool and Daycare: Policy and Next Steps

Updated November 2026 with current AAP, CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.

Head lice are common among preschoolers and young school children. They are a nuisance, but they do not spread disease and they are not a sign of poor hygiene. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC both say a child with lice can finish the day, be treated at home that evening, and go back the next day once treatment has started.

Here is what to do when the note comes home, or when you find lice yourself.

How head lice spread

Lice crawl. They cannot jump or fly. They spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact, which is why young children who play close together, cuddle at story time or lean in over the same toy pass them around. Sharing hats, brushes and hair ties can spread them too, but this is much less common because lice stay close to the warm scalp. Pets do not carry human head lice.

The AAP's 2022 report also notes that most lice are picked up outside the classroom, at home, during playdates and sleepovers, and among siblings and cousins.

How to check your child

1. Sit your child in good light, ideally near a window. Put on a show to keep them still.
2. Wet the hair and add plenty of conditioner. This slows lice down and makes combing easier.
3. Comb small sections from the scalp outward with a fine-toothed metal lice comb.
4. Wipe the comb on a white paper towel after each pass and look for lice.
5. Check behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, where lice like to stay.

Live lice are about the size of a sesame seed, grayish-white to tan, and move quickly. Nits are tiny eggs glued to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Unlike dandruff or hair spray flakes, they do not brush off easily. Nits more than about a quarter inch from the scalp are usually empty shells and do not mean an active case.

Check everyone in the house, but only treat people who have live lice or nits close to the scalp.

Treatment options

• Permethrin 1% lotion or pyrethrin shampoo. These over-the-counter products are a common first step. Follow the label exactly, including how long to leave it on.
• Ivermectin 0.5% lotion (Sklice). The FDA moved it from prescription to over the counter in 2020 for children 6 months and older. It is a single 10-minute application on dry hair.
• Prescription treatments such as spinosad or malathion are options your pediatrician can prescribe if store products do not work.
• Wet combing with conditioner every three to four days for two weeks. It takes patience, but it can work on its own or alongside a product.

Many products need a second application to catch lice that hatch after the first one. The AAP's guidance is to repeat around day 9, and again around day 18 if lice are still found, unless the product label says otherwise. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist before treating a baby, a child under 2, or a child with scalp sores or allergies.

Skip home remedies like mayonnaise, olive oil under a shower cap, kerosene or essential oils. They are not proven, and some are dangerous.

Cleaning the house: less than you think

Lice die within a day or two away from a human head. You do not need to fumigate, spray pesticides or deep-clean the house.

• Wash pillowcases, hats and recently worn clothes in hot water and dry on high heat.
• Soak combs, brushes and hair ties in hot water for 10 minutes.
• Seal stuffed animals or items you cannot wash in a bag for two days.
• Vacuum the couch and car seat where your child's head rests.

When can my child go back to preschool?

For school-age children, the AAP and CDC say no child should be sent home early or kept out because of lice. For early childhood programs like preschool and daycare, the AAP's child care guidance is similar: treatment can wait until the end of the day, and if treatment starts before the child returns the next morning, there is no need to keep them home. The Illinois Department of Public Health gives the same advice for students.

The AAP, CDC and the National Association of School Nurses all advise against "no-nit" policies, because nits alone often do not mean live lice and these rules cause missed days without stopping spread. Some programs still set their own rules, so ask your child's center what it expects before your child comes back.

Tell your child's teacher. It helps them watch for new cases and quietly let other families know, without naming your child.

How to stop lice from coming back

• Keep long hair in a braid, bun or ponytail at preschool.
• Teach your child to keep their own hats, hair ties and brushes.
• Check your child's head once a week for a few weeks after a case in class, and after sleepovers.
• Do not use lice treatments to prevent lice. They only work on an active case.
• Finish the second treatment. Skipping it is a common reason lice come back.

Frequently asked questions

Do kids have to stay home from preschool with lice?

Under AAP and CDC guidance, no. A child can finish the day and return the next morning once treatment has started. Check your own center's policy too.

Can lice live on pillows?

Only for a day or two. Washing pillowcases in hot water is enough.

Does having lice mean my home is dirty?

No. Lice spread through head-to-head contact and can happen to any family.

Why does my child keep getting lice?

Usually because the second treatment was skipped, nits close to the scalp were missed, or lice are still spreading among friends or family. Talk to your pediatrician if store products are not working.

Is ivermectin lotion safe for a 3-year-old?

The FDA approved the 0.5% lotion for children 6 months and older when used as the label directs. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist if you are unsure which product fits your child.

Health and communication at Children's Land

When a health concern comes up at a Children's Land center, our director contacts the adult listed on your Emergency Information Form. Each location can explain its health policies before you enroll, and our FAQ answers more common questions. Learn about our preschool program or contact us.

Related reading: How Often Do Daycare Kids Get Sick in the First Year?