Cracking Down On Sick Policy

[Lexie489]

Although I have a strict sick policy, I am finding myself sending kids home more often than parents voluntarily keeping them home. This new group started in the fall, and since October two rounds of severe viruses have hit the entire group-myself included. I was closed for a week in October, and three days last week.

One family (the one who follows my policies to the letter) commented about my recent closures. The comment was innocent but nevertheless made me feel bad because I am rarely sick and hate having to close.

I'm thinking of excluding new symptoms, regardless of how severe. The symptoms always start mild but turn into something more serious. I'm also thinking about excluding them from care longer if they are sent home vs staying home.

Does this sound reasonable?

[GirlMomma]

This seems reasonable.

[Blackcat31]

Although I have a strict sick policy, I am finding myself sending kids home more often than parents voluntarily keeping them home. This new group started in the fall, and since October two rounds of severe viruses have hit the entire group-myself included. I was closed for a week in October, and three days last week.

One family (the one who follows my policies to the letter) commented about my recent closures. The comment was innocent but nevertheless made me feel bad because I am rarely sick and hate having to close.

I'm thinking of excluding new symptoms, regardless of how severe. The symptoms always start mild but turn into something more serious. I'm also thinking about excluding them from care longer if they are sent home vs staying home.

Does this sound reasonable?

24/48 hour rule.....works FANTASTIC!

Your illness policy is only as strong as your backbone.

If you are needing to send kids home, start screening them at the door for exclusionary symptoms and turn them away unless they are 100% healthy.

I understand the family that follows policies' concern. It's unfair that they follow the rules and still lose out on care because others don't. I have a couple families that are similar and always do their best to never send their child sick or under the weather.

Thankfully I haven't had to close but I have had to send kids home more than once with a stern warning to not return until ALL symptoms are gone. Sometimes it takes a day and sometimes it takes a week. Depends on lots of things but bottom line is don't bring it to daycare.

[Blackcat31]

the 24/48 hour rule

Sure... The 48 hour minimum policy acts as a financial motivator for those who try to hide or maybe don't take the time to look for indicators of illness in their child before dropping them off at daycare. It really only takes one time to enforce it, per family, before you don't have KNOWN sick kids being dropped off.

The 48 hour policy also helps minimize the risks of transmission by kids who are just beginning to exhibit symptoms by coming back too early to care with a note. Doctors deal with being exposed to these minor illnesses all the time and seem to forget it is not just about limiting our (provider/other children/providers family) exposure, it is also about minimizing lost time at work for OTHER parents.

Nothing is 100% fool proof but it does give you the best possible opportunity to prevent illness transmission.

[Lexie489]

What is the nicest, yet sternest way to communicate this? I will be sending out an updated sick policy soon. I agree it's only effective as your backbone.