Sick Children

[lizzie]

Hi once again
could anyone clarify what to do when a child is sick and brought to you. I have asked parents to ring when their child is sick, even if it is a cold. when do you not except a child. just very mixed up about the whole thing
much thanks
Lizzie

[tasha]

There is a sickness/illness policy on the Bromley site & you can also download exclusion periods for different illnesses. I have a poster which I've emailed the various versions off too you, dependent on the message you need to convey to your parents.
Tasha

[louisec]

Hi Lizzie

If a child has had a tummy bug I wont look after them for 48 hours after last bout of illness, If a child has a cold or is a little unwell ie, snuffly but generally ok, eating, drinking, playing etc then I dont mind....if they are poorly with it though, like needing lots more attention, running a temp etc, I wont look after again for 48hours after getting better......

Ive never been faced with having to ring a parent if a child becomes ill. XX

[deeb66]

It is very difficult to judge with children as they can have colds/runny noses so often due to teething etc.

I think a little common sense has to be used here especially by the parents. Unfortunately not all take everything into consideration such as how it would affect your and the other children's day and if bugs were passed along and all the others infected.

If a parent finds it necessary to give a child Capol/Nurofen in the morning before dropping off then I do not accept them as they are obviously not feeling very well (otherwise they wouldn't have given them the stuff in the first place!!!).

If a child comes with what appears to be a general cold and is coping ok then I will keep them but should they deteriorate then I will call the parents to come and collect immediately.

I used to say no to all colds/runny noses but some children develop a runny nose on a weekly basis and it is difficult as the parent would never work - this is why I say it needs a little common sense!

I have no problems with calling out a parent, and have done so on numerous occasions, if a child deteriorates and becomes irritable about 3-4 hours after it was dropped off as this usually means the parent has given calpol/nurofen but has not told you!!

I am the same as Louise with regards to tummy bugs/sickness - but then once again you usually find the parent is not honest with you - so watch out for this. Any signs of tummy bug in a child I phone and ask the child to be collected immediately.

I hope this helps

Dee

[susan]

deeb66 said:

It is very difficult to judge with children as they can have colds/runny noses so often due to teething etc.

I think a little common sense has to be used here especially by the parents. Unfortunately not all take everything into consideration such as how it would affect your and the other children's day and if bugs were passed along and all the others infected.

If a parent finds it necessary to give a child Capol/Nurofen in the morning before dropping off then I do not accept them as they are obviously not feeling very well (otherwise they wouldn't have given them the stuff in the first place!!!).

I agree with Dee unless its a baby who's teething like C is at the minute
If a child comes with what appears to be a general cold and is coping ok then I will keep them but should they deteriorate then I will call the parents to come and collect immediately.

I used to say no to all colds/runny noses but some children develop a runny nose on a weekly basis and it is difficult as the parent would never work - this is why I say it needs a little common sense!

I have no problems with calling out a parent, and have done so on numerous occasions, if a child deteriorates and becomes irritable about 3-4 hours after it was dropped off as this usually means the parent has given calpol/nurofen but has not told you!!

Yes this happens parents can be crafty cant they
I am the same as Louise with regards to tummy bugs/sickness - but then once again you usually find the parent is not honest with you - so watch out for this. Any signs of tummy bug in a child I phone and ask the child to be collected immediately.

I hope this helps

Dee

I agree with what Dee's said entirely xxx

[sarahnev707]

So do I!!

Sarahx

[banana]

totally agree with dee

x

[angeldelight]

I agree with Dee

Common sense

Angel xx

[sarsar3nch]

I agree with Dee too

but what about something like chicken pox if all other children have already had it?? I have said no in past but the usually once spots come out the child feels better

[deeb66]

Yes the child generally does feel a little better but can still be a little unsettled/groggy.

I do not accept a child who has chicken pox. I know that we have probably already been exposed to the virus as they are infecticious before the spots appear but they are also highly infectious when the spotsblisters start coming out.

Even if you have had chicken pox you can get it again!!!

Dee

[sarsar3nch]

Thanks for that Dee

That makes me feel better, as last time parents queried my reasoning

[cheryl1]

Hi

I totally agree with Dee.

I have a poster regarding exclusion for illnes displayed in my hallway and all parents are given a shorter version for their records - this means that they cannot say that they didnt know that they shouldnt bring a child.

A link to the website where you can download the info is :
www.hpa.org.uk/publications/PublicationDisplay.asp?PublicationID=85

Hope it works

Cheryl x

[rach30]

Hi have just clicked that link and i don't mean to sound stupid but do you have all of that 6 page document in your hallway ? ;D

[tasha]

No...you just keep a copy & give parents one so they no what to expect! I have thee poster I sent ou up & thats only because I've had parents try it on!
Tasha

[cheryl1]

No Ive got a big poster from the same people in my hallway and I gave the parents one of the 6 page copies each x

[deeb66]

I also use that document and have set up a comprehensive Sickness Exclusion Policy from it.

I also give parents the link should they want to look at the document - just in case they think I am making up the recommended exclusion reasons/times!!!!

Dee

[sarsar3nch]

Thanks for info

Another question is do same exclusions apply when it is your own child with illness (obviously not excluding child but not minding!!!)

[cheryl1]

Hi
When my children are ill I ring parents as soon as possible to let them know, then they make the decission whether to send their child or not - some parents send their children no matter what others prefer to use alternative care.
I would also keep my child away from the mindees as much as possible although this might just meen them lying on the sofa and not playing with the mindees - parents are always made aware of this though.
If it is myself who is ill I would ring parents and inform them as soon as possible to let them know I cannot work although I have been known to work with both a chest infection and toncilitis !

At the end of the day what you do is entirely up to you as you are self-employed you just need to make sure it is layed out in your sickness policy and parents are aware of what you would do.

Cheryl x

[deeb66]

I basically do what Cheryl says.

I contact the parents tell them that the bug is in the house and the decision is theirs.

If there is any sickness or diarrhea bug in the house then I refuse all children and inform the parents that I am 'closed' until all recovered as this tends to spread like wildfire!!!

Dee

[sarsar3nch]

Thanks again,

Had this scenario when my own son had impetigo, on his leg but quite bad as I hadn't realised what it was for a while. I told parents once we had been to doctors and explained how infectious it was etc but as it was on his shin it was covered and that he would stay in his bedroom. They all decided to bring their children anyway (no-one else caught it, thankfully).

[linda]

Hi just got this thread i dont mind with anything contagious i do mind with colds and coughs as some children have constantly got runny noses and the parents would never work.
If a child has been sick or had runny nappies ect i do not take them in for at least 24 to 48 hours however this is quite difficult to keep to if the child has been sick on a sunday and the parents dont tell you.
Lindaxx

[june]

What do you do when Parents are not honest with you ? I have experienced it a few times . I rang one Mum to say daughter had spots and she said Oh we seen those at the weekend but did not know what they were!!!! I onl;y found them when I changed her nappy

[rubybubbles]

june said:

What do you do when Parents are not honest with you ? I have experienced it a few times . I rang one Mum to say daughter had spots and she said Oh we seen those at the weekend but did not know what they were!!!! I onl;y found them when I changed her nappy

would of been nice for them to let you know!! Again parents

[rubybubbles]

I had this converstion on Friday with one of the ladies who is a team leader in pre-school.

My own dd had thurs off as she was run down and I felt she needed some calpol to help her. She spent most of the day sat playing barbies!! When I was talking to this lady, she said how it's so nice for parents to do that. She spoke to the manager of the centre about why they are taking children with hugley green boggies (sorry ewww), and hacking coughs, her response was Ofsted. It makes me boil. I keep my dd off as on the Wed another child (3 yrs) was coughing (really hacking, without covering her mouth) and if my own dd was feeling run down she would be more likey to get this too. Therefore if they seem realy bad, why can't they say no?

But then thats another grip parents not saying use your hand to stop the germs! I know 20 month olds that mange that!!

[mustbemad]

Hi all! I ve been lurking but had to reply to this one

I cope with coughs and colds unless child is really fed up, unwilling to join in or runs a temp.

Sickness or dioarrhea is, as stated before a defo no-no

I recently had to send a 2 yr old home as she was really off colour, not eating, swollen glands, etc. The parent was not happy but collected early anyway. She later had the cheek to phone me to say we need to work together as little one had been fine and running around all afternoon!

I told her that any child who will not eat or play for several days should really be at home where an appropriate level of care and response can be shown! - to which she replied that it was her belief that the child was 'swinging it' ( or pretending!)

I could not believe what I was hearing! Told her not to bring child following day and seriously considered giving notice!

Child is still with me (she's a doll!) but I did waft my sickness policy under parents noses again and asked them to digest and sign!

Hard to stand firm sometimes tho. xx

[smartypants]

I just dont get it!!!

I have had 3 lots of parents bringing there children to me will streaming noses, really bad coughs and temperatures!!!

I have a poster on my front door saying "IF YOU CHILD IS ILL PLEASE KEEP THEM AT HOME"

I have been off work since Wednesday with flu, swollen throat, headache and now have a chest infection and will be off all this week to due to being very wheezy!!

If they send the children to me ill, and i get it I have to have unpaid time off work and then the parents are not happy..

I have asthma and they know if i get flu i get up with bad asthma and end up on steroids


They just plonk the kids on to you and go to work!!!

Sorry to moan Kate

[mustbemad]

It's good to have a moan and get it off your chest Kate (excuse the pun!)

I too ended up with a sore thraot and swollen glands from this poorly kid - and I don't normally get sore throats.

I think the majority of parents understand, but some do resent paying for childcare when thier child is sick, even when they sign to that effect in the contract.

they would soon be on your case if the child developed meningitis whilst in your care and you hadn't rung them early enough! Something that's always at the back of my mind when a young child is poorly. after all, they can't always tell you where it hurts.

Hey ho

[susan]

Kate I'm sorry your not well, in future I'd toughen up and send the children home if they turn up sick xxx

Hope your feeling better soon, big hugs and kisses xxxx

[kelly]

Sick children are the bain of our lives aren't they, especially at this time of the year, one of my little ones was ill recently, she clearly had a sore throat, little did I know it was tonsillitis, which of course I caught!! I have made a great little leaflet that I give out at this time of year that reiterates my sickness policy and reminds parents I am a well child carer and not to send their children if they are poorly.

[angeldelight]

Sorry you are feeling ill Kate

Get well soon

Love Angel xx