AIBU to think the 48 hour sickness rule was applied too strictly?

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 2026-09-23T20:22:55+00:00

DS went to a party on Sunday and ate some food too quickly. He coughed a lot and a bit of it was regurgitated (into a napkin, I hasten to add!) Being a class of five and six year olds this exciting event was recounted to the teacher and I was called to ask to collect him as he’d been sick. And he wasn’t allowed back until Wednesday due to the 48 hour rule. It was a bit frustrating as I work Mondays and Tuesdays so it basically means I haven’t worked this week (or been paid!) I realise that isn’t the schools fault but AIBU to think this is a bit over cautious, as he really hadn’t been sick, just brought up a tiny bit of undigested ham sandwich !

Rainbowlou0001 · 23/09/2026 21:25

Unfortunately so many parents use this as an excuse that schools can’t rely on it always being true.
(Not claiming you are making it up but so many do!)

Bananacrepewithnuts · 23/09/2026 21:26

Did you try explaining that to the school?

Happytaytos · 23/09/2026 21:26

I'd have refused to collect him, explained he wasn't actually sick nor did he have a bug. More fool you for not arguing the case. You're the adult, the teacher heard the child version.

Twoweeksinaugust · 23/09/2026 21:33

It does sound very OTT.

My dc's class used to do PE straight after lunch, dd is a bit of a slow eater so would just have finished, and would regurgitate food most weeks. They'd call me to collect her, and after the first few times I just refused, she clearly hadn't vomited, just brought up some lunch after doing star jumps / netball or whatever. Common sense does seem to be lacking sometimes.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/09/2026 21:35

You should have just explained he hadn’t been 6, they can’t send a kid home because some 5 year olds say so if you say no

Original poster

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 23/09/2026 21:40

Happytaytos · 23/09/2026 21:26

I'd have refused to collect him, explained he wasn't actually sick nor did he have a bug. More fool you for not arguing the case. You're the adult, the teacher heard the child version.

That would be a really adversarial approach which I don’t tend to have as a first response to a place that it’s important to keep at a minimum cordial relationships with. But your response to me does indicate you take a harder line which is fine, we’re all different.

I did explain to the school he hadn’t actually been sick but it was a bit ‘well we have to …’ which I do get, just a bit frustrating when you have a perfectly well child bouncing around at home for two days!

OP posts:

mumumental · 23/09/2026 21:40

Rainbowlou0001 · 23/09/2026 21:25

Unfortunately so many parents use this as an excuse that schools can’t rely on it always being true.
(Not claiming you are making it up but so many do!)

I have always wondered whether overcrowded classrooms was a contributing factor. Must be a relief to get the numbers down.

Of course, we could both be wrong.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/09/2026 21:43

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 23/09/2026 21:40

That would be a really adversarial approach which I don’t tend to have as a first response to a place that it’s important to keep at a minimum cordial relationships with. But your response to me does indicate you take a harder line which is fine, we’re all different.

I did explain to the school he hadn’t actually been sick but it was a bit ‘well we have to …’ which I do get, just a bit frustrating when you have a perfectly well child bouncing around at home for two days!

Show quote history

It’s not about souring relationships with school though, it’s about stating facts. School: ‘some 5 year olds said your child was sick, come and collect them’…. You: actually they’ve got it wrong, he wasn’t sick, he doesn’t need collecting.

Happytaytos · 23/09/2026 21:43

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 23/09/2026 21:40

That would be a really adversarial approach which I don’t tend to have as a first response to a place that it’s important to keep at a minimum cordial relationships with. But your response to me does indicate you take a harder line which is fine, we’re all different.

I did explain to the school he hadn’t actually been sick but it was a bit ‘well we have to …’ which I do get, just a bit frustrating when you have a perfectly well child bouncing around at home for two days!

Show quote history

It's not adversarial if your child's being sent home under false pretence. I'm a teacher so it's not like I'd be rude about it, but I'd say he wasn't sick, he coughed up some food, if he's showing any signs of actually being ill then of course I'll collect, but I'm not collecting him for that reason. The if they made up something on the Monday, he'd be dropped off Tuesday.

Original poster

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 23/09/2026 21:46

@ToKittyornottoKitty i politely explained what had happened; they still wanted me to collect DS.

I could take umbrage at it but it’s never happened before. It it becomes a pattern it might be something I raise with the school but as it is I’m not planning on doing so retrospectively.

OP posts:

Rainbowlou0001 · 23/09/2026 21:46

mumumental · 23/09/2026 21:40

I have always wondered whether overcrowded classrooms was a contributing factor. Must be a relief to get the numbers down.

Of course, we could both be wrong.

Show quote history

Classes aren’t overcrowded.
Believe it or not we love having a full classroom.
We also do not encourage the children to be absent to avoid them then have to catch up with their learning when they return.
What a bizarre take on my comment!

Original poster

Thisjustisntworkingforme · 23/09/2026 21:50

Rainbowlou0001 · 23/09/2026 21:46

Classes aren’t overcrowded.
Believe it or not we love having a full classroom.
We also do not encourage the children to be absent to avoid them then have to catch up with their learning when they return.
What a bizarre take on my comment!

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There are twenty seven in DS’s class so not too bad. Small school.

OP posts:

TY78910 · 23/09/2026 21:51

This happens a lot in the nursery settings but I have to say our school is a lot more ‘you can stay off if your leg is hanging off’ kind of vibe. They even sent out an infographic recently that implied that if the kids have a cold they can still come in with calpol in their bag.

modgepodge · 23/09/2026 22:04

Rainbowlou0001 · 23/09/2026 21:46

Classes aren’t overcrowded.
Believe it or not we love having a full classroom.
We also do not encourage the children to be absent to avoid them then have to catch up with their learning when they return.
What a bizarre take on my comment!

Show quote history

Quite…I think the previous poster may have been thinking of nurseries where this sort of behaviour is rumoured to happen…staff member off sick takes them out of ratio so they try to send 3 kids home ‘sick’ to solve it. I’ve never experienced this but have heard of others.

As a teacher kids being away was a PITA as you then have to catch them up next lesson! Or they just can’t do the lesson as they don’t understand, having missed the previous bit. Or they’re trying to write the ending to a story when they haven’t yet written the middle.

KwellsBells · 23/09/2026 22:07

mumumental · 23/09/2026 21:40

I have always wondered whether overcrowded classrooms was a contributing factor. Must be a relief to get the numbers down.

Of course, we could both be wrong.

Show quote history

Don’t be ridiculous.

attendance is one of every school’s top priorities due to government pressures.

AffableApple · 23/09/2026 22:25

"You want me to collect my child because he said he was sick. As the adult who was present, I've just told you he choked some food up into a napkin because he choked on it, because he swallowed it all down too fast. He's five, he is mistaken. I understand if he was sick I would need to collect him. I would always collect him if he was sick. He wasn't sick. A healthy child will be missing education for no reason and I can't support that. Are you saying that the school does?"... "Well I don't, and for the reasons I've already explained, I will not collect my healthy child, and I expect him to remain in class."

It's not adversarial. It's assertive. They'd fine you soon enough for being off on holiday for the 48 hours.