My DS is 2 and recently started daycare. He has been constantly sick, with only one week not being sick sinc ehe started! I am not sure when it is OK for him to go when he is sick. I don't want him forgetting about the place altogether but don't want him infectibng others or getting himself worse. He currently has a bad sounding cough, clear runny nose. He has lots of energy even though sick. I kept him home today but am wondering about the next two days. He has been sick since last thursday. Thanks!
I don't keep DS off with a cold as that's an occupational hazard of childcare.
But chest infection/flu (he'll be acting "ill" usually then but do go to the doctor if you keep him off nursery as if he's too ill to go to nursery he needs a check-over) DS would be off. As he would for anything that created spots. Vomiting and diarrhoea is a no-go too.
HTH and hope the GP finds nothing wrong aside from a cold and cough.
I used to keep them home if they had a temp and were really grizzly or miserable. Most kids at child care have runny noses, if it's not green and he's not feeling off from it it's alright to send him. IMO anyway lol.
I keep mine back if they're too ill to enjoy themselves, if they have yellow or green snot, or if I think they are still contagious with something that is more severe than a garden variety cold. I don't keep them home with a mild cold.
Agree with most of the PPs - if your DS has energy and is running around and is still having a good time and pleasant to be around, then it's obvioulsy not a debilitating illness, so I wouldn't worry about it. Runny noses are par for the course at childcare.
But go with your instinct. You know him best, you've known him longer than anyone else, and if you're confident in making the right decision, then it will be fine. Even if it is a couple of weeks before he goes back, your confidence in your own ability to make the right choice will help him to get through that.
Each centre will have their own rules about what they accept and what they need clearance for. According to the staying healthy in childcare handbook (which centres use as a reference), a common cold is not excludable as long as the child is well enough to 'handle the day'. Which your son sounds like he is. If they have a nose that constantly runs green, I would say stay home, many parents don't though and it's not too pleasant to have to wipe these noses every 2 seconds, but that comes with the territory. You'd be suprised at the state some parents send their children to care in - good on you for thinking about what's acceptable.
My centre excludes for 24 hours after a vomit, runny poo. We require medical clearance for conjunctivitis and rotavirus and chickenpox.
Oh, and the being sick alot is pretty common for children who haven't been in care before, they will develop a natural immunity after a while.
I think any evidence of greenness of any sort indicates active infection and child should be kept at home. Likewise temperature, grizzly & unhappy and ANY type of gastric symptoms whatsoever. Runny poo is NOT cool at child care!! But general snot and lingering coughs - ok to send.
I keep DS home from childcare whenever he is 'not himself'. I kept him home last week as he was having issues with constipation due to toilet training, I didn't want him at childcre feeling upset. This week I am keeping him home cause he has a cold, juicy cough, runny clear nose and is tired and grizzly, I dont think it would be nice for him tobe at chilcare without his mum when he is feeling off
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When do you keep your child home from childcare?
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