As a parent, one of the toughest decisions you may face is whether to send your child to daycare or keep them at home when they’re not feeling well. It’s a delicate balance between your child’s health and ensuring their social and educational development. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of knowing when to keep your child home from daycare and provide you with valuable insights to make informed decisions.
Let’s dive in!
The Importance of Keeping Your Child Home from Daycare
The decision to keep your child home from daycare when they’re not feeling well is vital for several reasons.
It helps prevent the spread of illness to other children and staff members
By keeping your child at home, you reduce the risk of contagious diseases spreading throughout the daycare center, protecting the health of everyone involved. Children in daycare settings often come into close contact with one another, sharing toys, playing together, and engaging in activities that promote social interaction. While this is beneficial for their development, it also creates an environment where illnesses can easily spread. Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. By keeping your child home when they are unwell, you not only prevent them from infecting others but also help contain the spread of illness within the daycare community.
Keeping your child at home allows them to rest and recover fully
Illnesses can take a toll on a child’s energy levels and overall well-being. By providing them with the opportunity to rest, sleep, and engage in quiet activities at home, you support their immune system and promote a faster recovery. This ensures that they return to daycare feeling rejuvenated and ready to participate fully in daily activities without compromising their health or potentially prolonging their illness.
Keeping your child home from daycare also plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable individuals within the daycare community
Some children may have compromised immune systems due to underlying health conditions or may be too young to receive certain vaccinations. By keeping your sick child at home, you help safeguard these vulnerable individuals from exposure to illnesses that could have severe consequences for their health.
Consider the well-being of the daycare staff
They work tirelessly to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children. By keeping your child home when they’re not feeling well, you demonstrate your consideration for the well-being of the staff members, reducing their risk of exposure to contagious illnesses and enabling them to focus their attention on providing care to other children.
Ultimately, deciding to keep your child home from daycare is an act of responsibility and care, not only for your own child but for the entire daycare community. It promotes a healthier environment, reduces the risk of widespread illnesses, and ensures that each child receives the attention and care they need when they are unwell.
Common Illnesses and Symptoms that Warrant Keeping Your Child at Home
While each daycare may have specific guidelines regarding illness, there are common symptoms and conditions that generally indicate it’s best to keep your child at home. Recognizing these signs and taking appropriate action ensures the well-being of your child and helps maintain a healthy environment for everyone at the daycare. Let’s go over some examples.
Fever: A fever is often a sign of an underlying infection. If your child has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, it’s recommended to keep them home until the fever subsides and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. This helps ensure that their body has successfully fought off the infection and reduces the risk of spreading it to others.
Vomiting and Diarrhea: If your child has had multiple episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within a short period, it’s best to keep them home until they have fully recovered and can tolerate regular meals without further incidents. This helps prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections, which can easily pass from person to person.
Severe Coughing or Difficulty Breathing: Persistent and severe coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing may indicate a respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia. In such cases, it’s important to keep your child at home and seek medical advice if necessary. This helps protect other children who may be more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.
Uncontrolled Pain or Discomfort: If your child is experiencing severe pain, discomfort, or a significant change in behaviour due to an illness or injury, it’s advisable to keep them at home and consult with a healthcare professional. It’s important to address their discomfort and ensure they receive appropriate medical attention or treatment.
When Your Child is Ready to Return to Daycare
Determining when your child is ready to return to daycare after an illness is an important consideration. While you may be eager for your child to resume their regular routine, it’s crucial to ensure their well-being and the safety of others at the daycare.
Take these factors into consideration when your child is ready to return.
Symptom Resolution: Your child should be free from symptoms related to their illness. For example, if they had a fever, it should have subsided for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. They should no longer be experiencing severe coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other symptoms associated with their previous illness.
Contagiousness: Ensure that your child is no longer contagious. Follow the guidelines provided by your healthcare provider or daycare regarding the contagious period for the specific illness your child had. It’s important to remember that some illnesses, such as the common cold, may still have residual symptoms even after the contagious period has passed.
Healthcare Provider Clearance: Depending on the illness or circumstances, your daycare may require a doctor’s note or clearance before allowing your child to return. This is particularly important for illnesses that are not common or have potential complications. Consult with your healthcare provider if a note is necessary and provide it to the daycare as requested.
Daycare Policies: Familiarize yourself with the policies of your daycare regarding return after illness. Each daycare may have specific guidelines in place, such as a waiting period or additional requirements for re-entry. It’s essential to follow these policies to ensure a smooth transition back into the daycare environment.
When preparing your child for their return to daycare, consider discussing the situation with them. Explain that they are feeling better and that they will be rejoining their friends and caregivers soon. Assure them that the daycare is a safe and nurturing place where they can continue to learn, play, and grow.
If you liked this blog, check out this one on, “How To Prepare Your Child For The First Day of School.”