Influenza-like illness and day care centre...?

[Nanouk]

Hi there

I would like your advice about that... Today was the first day for my daughter in a day care centre (she used to go to family day care and the other days she is going to preschool). I found on the internet that a child can be excluded from day care when he has "influenza-like illness". My daughter is coughing and runny noze and looks miserable, but she isn't infectious (at all or any more -- I know because it's been on for one week and she had two days of high fever and then the coughing started and even the doctor said she is alright to go to day care). Still, the teacher this morning didn't want her to stay. She allowed us to stay for about an hour when the children were playing outside and then, when everyone went inside, she asked us to leave. Is that how it is in all day care centres? I am supposed to work... If I can't leave my children in a day care centre when they have a cold (and that happens every second day these days in Canberra), then what am I supposed to do?

Thanks for your help!

[Happymum2]

Most child care centres are like this. The best advice I can give you is get a letter from your doctor stating she is fine to be there (not contagious), therefore there have to except her. Unfortunately it is the time of year for sickness.

[tootiredtosleep]

Our day care centre is OK with runny noses, its common during winter. Its probably more that she was miserable thats the issue.

[Nanouk]

So I am supposed to take a day off when she is a bit sick like that...? Is that we you do? Next time I will get a letter from the doctor, but that's silly because then I will have to go and see a doctor when I would have not needed that otherwise.
Thanks for your help.

[Happymum2]

So I am supposed to take a day off when she is a bit sick like that...? Is that we you do? Next time I will get a letter from the doctor, but that's silly because then I will have to go and see a doctor when I would have not needed that otherwise.
Thanks for your help.

As long as her runny nose is clear and not green, they can't say no but as pp said it was probably more related to the fact she was miserable and coughing that was the issue. I've work in child care for many years and am now a family day carer so have dealt with this issue many many times. Have a look at there policies in regard to sickness as every child care centre is different. As a mother and child care worker I can see both sides of the situation. Yes it is very hard to have to keep taking days off work (maybe look into finding a babysitter/nanny to have on stand by or a family member or friend) but on the other side of the situation it is hard to have a sick/miserable child (who may not be contagious or just have a cold which tbh is still contagious) and giving it to other children (which we then have there parents asking why we are excepting children who are sick etc) and staff (which then may have to take time off work).

When starting in a new child care centre there will always be a period of time when your child catches everything regardless of her age.

I hope this helps and your dd gets over it all very quickly.

[fichicken]

Yes when your child has a runny nose of cough then yes they should be at home.Even though I understand that this is frustrating for you due to work commitments. We have recently had someone give my dd influenza type A and it has nearly killed her, she has been in intensive care for over 2 weeks. Unless you have a medical clearance from your doctor then keep your child at home so that the rest of the children do not come down with the same illness. Oh and I congratulate the day care teacher for asking you to take your child home. I wish there were more teachers like her out their.

[Nanouk]

I am sorry, fichicken, but my children are not responsable for your daughter's sickness. I see no reason to exclude my daughter because yours caught influenza.
And yes, the doctor told me that my daughter could go to day care. She didn't give me any paper though, I will make sure to have one next time.

Thanks all for your help!