Just some info on green snot

Is Green Mucus More of a Concern than Clear Mucus?

In most cases, green or yellow nasal mucus (usually found toward the end of the cold) is no more contagious than clear mucus and may be even less contagious. The runny nose usually starts with clear mucus, which then becomes whitish or greenish as the cold dries up and gets better. This happens because as the body mounts its defense against the virus, white blood cells enter the mucus and color it. Usually the colored mucus comes in smaller amounts and is thicker, a sign that the cold is "drying up" and ending.

A green, runny nose that is accompanied by fever, headache, cough, and foul-smelling breath, may be a sign of a sinus infection. The child should have a medical evaluation and may need antibiotic treatment.

When are Children Contagious?

Unfortunately, infected children spread viruses before they begin to feel ill. This is because the amount of the virus present in their bodies is usually highest two-three days before they develop symptoms of the illness and continues to be present for two to three days after symptoms begin. Germs may be spread to others by:

Wiping the nose and then touching other people and objects.
Sharing of mouthed toys by infants and toddlers.
Coughing and sneezing into the air.
Kissing on the mouth.
Poor ventilation.
Personally I like to believe that most parents do not send their child to childcare when they are ill - green snot does not equate to illness if present with no other symptoms - above is just one of the many sets of information on the net about it.

Have I ever sent my kids to daycare with green snot - yes - have I ever sent them ill - no. Childcare are very quick to call if a child is actually ill - in 4+ years of childcare with two kids I have never been called in to pick up either of my two. Have they ever spread anything - yes I expect so but purely because they are normally most infectious before they are showing any signs of illness at all so nothing a parent can do to stop that apart from never go to childcare.