Sick from child care centre...

[mrsr]

I agree with those who suggest finding another centre.

[MantaRay]

The thing is that he is getting sick from exposure to "new" bugs. If you move him, he will have to start all over with the different bugs at the new care place. I know it is awful to have a sick child (not to mention inconvenient), but it is actually good for their immune systems to be exposed to things early. There have been studies showing lower rates of leukemia and things in children who were exposed to other kids under age 3 as opposed to school age. And the good news, is that he is building up immunity, so he should start to get sick less often once that immunity has built up. It won't be this way forever. And it sounds like you must be pretty close to coming through the other side of it.

If he enjoys where he is, I wouldn't rush to remove him. Stick it out for another month or two and see what happens. I have heard that kids who don't go to day care tend to be sick a lot during the first few months of kindy or school instead, so hopefully you won't have to worry about that in a few years!

[mollycat]

Some children are prone to getting sick, but this seems really excessive. this centre doesn't seem too good on hygiene with runny noses everywhere. I would either try another centre or try FDC. With FDC they are with a smaller group and generally the same group on each day. The regulations are the same as a centre, but often policies are stricter.

[Tobily]

I agree with MR for the most part, it is true that all kids will go through this when they start daycare. Only you can decide if it's excessive though. I remember DD's first winter in childcare was horrendous - she came down with something or other every second week from 8-18 months. She is now as healthy as a horse though and rarely gets sick
My youngest is in FDC and though they do catch the odd thing there too, it's been much less with him because he only sees the same 3 children and the same carer every week.

Hang in there, it does pass but it just depends how long you can juggle things for :hugs:

[titti]

talk to the manager of your cc. I certainly wouldn't like to leave my baba with someone that doesn't have time to clean the nose (or let her cry forever!).
My daughter goes to childcare 3 times a week and every second week she has either fever, cough, cold or a combination of all... I've taken her to the pediatrician, done tests, results? childcare... and again "her immuno system is building up"... guess what? she is on her 4th cycle of antibiotics and I am not happy about it. But she loves the childcare, the carers are great (they clean her nose, not let her cry and call me when she is really distressed) so I will stick on it.
Remember it will get better eventually. (my only concern in your case is the lack of attention for the kids... I would sort that out with the cc)
good luck

[dd311]

I agree with the majority find another centre.

I have my two in day care and can't stand it when I see another child's nose running as it used to happen all the time but they received a number of complaints about it from parents and this has changed and made a huge difference.

Kids do go through the process of getting everything when they interact with other kids it's an unfortunate part of reality but I think what you have mentioned sounds quite excessive for such a short space of time.

On the Family Day Care - I know this will not sit well with alot of FDC people but I going to say it anyway as my SIL used to do FDC and I would quite often visit her during the day and sometimes she would go to the bathroom and get me to watch the kids for her. I got to know these children well for months before I ever met any of their parents. To me this was just wrong, maybe (hopefully!) the system has changed but I'm not comfortable with leaving my children with someone that is free to have people come and go from their house without my knowledge whilst they are solely responsible for childs wellbeing. No matter how many processes of checkings there are I believe they will never be able to stop that from happening.

I wish you well and hope you little one gets well soon.
xxdd

[Nai]

I have my DD in a Community Cooperative Childcare Centre- which is a parent run centre. I know many people who have moved thier children to this centre from "commercial" childcare centres and say the difference is amazing. One difference is the number of illnesses the kids have picked up - or more to the point HAVEN'T picked up. If you are looking at alternatives, check out a Community Coop centre as well as FDC. I also sit on the Board of the centre so so get to have a say in how it is run and understand what really goes on. It is very enlightening to say the least

[Madissun]

I haven't heard of that before Nai, how do i find out more and if there is one in or near my area?
Thank you everyone for your replies. The reasons i didnt want my son in family day care are now cropping up again, eg. not being able to control visitors to the carers house etc. Its so hard trying to make a decision!

[Nai]

In Melbourne they are usually called Community Childcare Cooperatives but some are known as other names. If you look up on the website for your city council they are often listed there. Where in Melbourne are you? I might know of some in your area.