Child Illness in Childcare is one of the most challenging aspects of group childcare (e.g. childminding, creche, etc) in managing sickness. When your child is unwell, group childcare is no longer a suitable option for their care. Some of the reasons for this include the child’s well-being being compromised during a busy and active day, risk of cross-infection and re-infection of other children and staff, and childcare regulations on infection control which childcare services and childminders must adhere to.
With such stringent measures in place to prevent the spread of infection, parents can be genuinely and understandably frustrated when their child returns home from their childcare setting with a virus or bug. This can often be the case in the first few weeks of your child attending a setting and is primarily a result of exposure to new viruses for which they have yet to build up immunity. Other children in the setting may have already built up immunity to this virus and could be symptom-free carriers. Similarly, children are potentially coming into contact with viruses during incubation periods when no symptoms are present.
At Penguin Childcare Consultancy, we advise parents to be prepared for the inevitability that their child will, at one time or other, become unwell and not be able to attend their setting. Preparation can include:
- Having a contingency plan with your partner or co-parent. This can prevent underlying resentment that the burden of care rests with primarily with one parent when the children are unwell. It can also support each parent to have an open conversation with their employer about their caring needs if and when the time comes
- Ensure that your employer is aware in advance that your child is cared for in a group childcare setting and that time off may be required in order to care for them. Discuss what your leave options and entitlements are in respect of caring (think Force Majeure, Parent Leave, work-from-home options)
- If your work is essential and provides little flexibility (medical professionals, caring professionals, etc) group childcare settings may not be suitable. This should be considered as part of your parenting values when deciding on a provider or can mean that you need to look at blended childcare options to navigate times of sickness.
Some of our clients have reflected on their concerns that their children are being sent home from childcare unnecessarily under the pretext of being unwell. If you feel this may be the case we recommend the following course of action:
- Familiarize yourself with the setting’s sickness and infection control policy. This policy will indicate to you how your setting plans to approach illness in the setting, including exclusion periods for various infectious illnesses. If you are availing of childminding and have not been provided with a policy document, be sure to discuss with your minder what their approach will be if your child is unwell. Document this if possible and refer to it as necessary. If you have reviewed the policy and feel as though your childcare provider is in breach of their policies or the agreement made, contact Penguin today for support and guidance.
- Ask questions. If you are contacted and advised that your child is not well and needs to be collected make sure to ask the following questions: When did symptoms begin? When was the last time they were provided with fluids? Have they eaten their meals today? In the case of a temperature, how frequently has their temperature been taken in the last 1 to 2 hours? What attempts have been made to reduce the temperature (e.g. jumpers removed, resting time, fluids offered, antipyretic medication)? In the case of vomiting or diarrhea, how many episodes have there been since the onset? In the case of a rash, where on the body is it, and what does it look like? These simple questions will give you a good indication of the efforts the provider has made to ensure your child is genuinely unwell before contacting you. If the answers to your questions are not reassuring, contact Penguin today for an appointment on the next steps.
- Request documentation. If your setting is regularly sending your child home, however when they get home your child appears to be well ask the creche or minder to start documenting when the symptoms began and what they looked like (e.g. out of sorts and sleepy at midday, temperature taken 12:15 (37.5). The jumper was removed, the child was offered a rest in the cozy corner, and the temperature was rechecked at 12:45 (38). The child fell asleep, parents called). If there has been an accident or any medication administered, there should be paperwork for you to sign on arrival and you will receive a copy. If there is any resistance to documentation or you are not receiving appropriate paperwork on collection, contact us today for advice.
- Keep the setting informed. If your child has seasonal allergies, asthma, eczema, or another non-infectious condition let the setting know in advance. Remember to keep them up to date on any changes to your child’s medical history.
For any parents struggling with any aspect of child illness in their childcare setting, contact Penguin today for conflict-free solutions to suit your needs.
