I wholeheartedly agree - don't send your kids to daycare sick. It just means the whole centre ends up sick. So far our centre (have only been going sick early Jan) seems to have a very good sick policy. Hand foot & Mouth went round my DD's room a few weeks ago & they were so cautious. My poor LO happened to throw up her bottle the day of the outbreak & they made me come & get her and take her to the Dr to get clearance before she could come back. At the time I thought it was a bit OTT, but in hindsight it sure helped prevent the spread of the infection. My DD has been sick this past week & so she was at home with me (also sick). We both have to go back to the Dr to get clearance before going back this wednesday. Having now had a sick child, I don't know how you could send them off to someone else to look after while they are so up & down. I know there is the cost factor but really, health should come first.

As for clothes, as my DD is only 9mths so she doesn't seem to get too messy. I send her looking presentable, though not in her very best clothes. I'm realistic though and assume that the clothes I send could either come back filthy or not at all!!

Anyway, that's my two cents.