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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

What would you class as 'too ill' to go to childminder

53 replies

Jannt86 · 23/01/2020 12:54

Hi all. I am just starting my LO at a chuldminder and mostly they seem lovely. However I've just seen a newsletter that she's put on an online portal complaining that she and her staff are fed up of kids being sent in poorly and that it's spreading illness and even made her think about packing it all in Shock I don't know what has triggered her to say this but it felt a bit unreasonable and has worried me a bit. It's unfair to take children in if they're really poorly, of course it is, but at the end of the day we mostly send our children to childcare because we have no other choice. I'd rather be caring for my child myself but I have to return to work or I'll lose my job. And kids can get ill really quick. Mine can be bouncing off the walls one minute then just slump and get a fever the next. So my question is how ill is too ill? Coz sorry I can't afford to not take her in the minute she has the slightest sniffle. I would personally not take my child in if I REALISED that she was feverish/vomitting/watery diarrhoea or if she was visibly very distressed by symptoms of an illness. Anything else then sorry but we'd be expected as adults to still go to work with a bit of a cough or cold so it should be fine for our child to be out and about too. Otherwise tbh I might as well just jack in my job and look after her FT because my daughter for one pretty much permanently has the snuffles at this time of year. Am I being reasonable or is there something I'm missing? Can somebody please educate me on what good etiquette is in these situations. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
jannier · 24/01/2020 09:37

You would be surprised by the number of parents who send children who have vomited or had diorhea telling them and siblings not to say anything as mummy/daddy will get into trouble....it always comes out as soon as child is I'll again a lo gives it away....or the amount that suddenly get really high temperatures and go lethargic 4 hours after arrival.

Apple40 · 23/01/2020 13:05

i am happy to accept mild coughs and colds, but when children have thick green snot, temps etc and need calpol together through the day or unable to take part in the day then I exclude. I obviously also exclude for all normal sickness d/v chicken pox etc . Sadly my sickness policy as evolved and become more strict when I have had parents take the mick, e.g. sending kids in knowing they have d/v or expect kid to cope at childcare all day when they themselves have taken day off to spend in bed with the exact same symptoms. If I get sick I have to close and lose money and inconvenience the rest of the families.

jamdhanihash · 23/01/2020 12:56

Talk to your childminder about this. They'll be able to explain what this means and will hopefully appreciate you entering a dialogue.