Childminder keeps refusing my child

We have new childcare regulations here which require a doctors note and / or a covid test result physically signed by a medical professional, for return after any symptoms whatsoever.

I was a bit about it as dd (23mos) has had colds almost permanently since she started daycare in September and the doctors are swamped and are now refusing to do test-and-clear appointments like they used to, but it turns out that we do actually all have covid this time so it was probably reasonable after all...

Trying to use childcare to work basically sucks anyway and is 100 times worse during covid.

I think asking you to test for a cold is excess. My daughter has never been asked to take a Covid test by her nursery and she has had endless colds but no cough or fever.

If you’re happy to send him and they are the ones refusing I wouldn’t be paying for those days. One offs when child is genuinely ill (HFM), fair enough, but this is excessive.

I know it's frustrating OP, but this is fairly normal. Childcare is a bit of a nightmare - you think you have it covered, then it falls through, and then you've got a poorly child and work/studies to deal with.
However, sending home for teething and cold are a bit odd - definitely get clarification on her policies, you need to know exactly when to keep him home and what to expect if he gets sent home.
We were told that after about 6 months the colds/illnesses calm down as they'll have built up some immunity - it was true for our DC, but that was pre-covid.

I would find a nursery. Good
Childminders don't have any of this nonsense but they are rare these days. My son is 18 months and hasn't been off at all except when I kept him home waiting for a pcr. Hand foot and mouth they can go in according to nhs.

I personally think it is unusual. My DDs nursery had a hand, foot and mouth outbreak. PHE told them to allow children with HF&M as does the NHS website, as long as the fever has broke and they are well in themselves. My little girl also goes in with a cold, so long as she's well enough. She catches the colds from nursery usually so it would be unfair to refuse her. Unless he has 1 of the 3 main symptoms he doesn't need a PCR test. My DD started in August and hasn't missed a day, but only because nursery takes the sensible approach that not every sniffle is covid.

We had a childminder who was very lax on illnesses and she didn't bother to inform me that the other children had come out in chicken pox so I only found out when DD got it. I'd rather have strict tbh.

DD has had over 15 covid tests stating just before she turned 2, she's also had other colds, viruses and HFM in the last year and a half which has meant I have paid for a hell of a lot of unused childcare (easily £300 the other month). Shit luck but worse if people keep sending in sick kids.

With HFM, it’s right that she didn’t take your son, for everything else she’s taking the piss and I’d try and find someone less pathetic to look after my child.

She shouldn’t be charging you when it’s her that is refusing to provide the service.

She is chancer and messing you about. Find a different childminder or nursey..

Perhaps another child has some health condition or she and her family have so that she is being cautious. You’ll need to get used to this though, and work out a contingency plan for when you don’t have the usual childcare available. Whether that’s changing the times you study or having family/friends to help if they are willing to expose themselves to a virus or illness. I find that people generally are more aware of infection/contagion and not just about COVID. A lot of people say they are cautious and then you find out they have been to the pub with different groups and so on, which isn’t how I’d describe cautious and so she may not want to rely on you saying that. She’s probably self employed and if she can’t work or has to shut then that’s her income gone. I totally understand why she’s sending your child home or not taking them.

Does sound like they're being a bit strict about it. I've never had an issue sending DS to our childminder with a cold and she gives them calpol (with our permission) if she thinks it might help them through the day. Sounds very odd to send him home teething unless he's very distressed by it. Hand foot and mouth is totally understandable to refuse.

Hmm. I think it sounds excessive to be honest, if he’s had negative LFTs. My son has been off nursery twice since September but has regularly had a cold!

I think my 2yo has had about 10 PCRs in his life so far, as he can't go to nursery without a negative result for a new cough or temperature (which he gets all the time!). I'm afraid you just have to do them if that's the policy. My 4yo's primary school also asks for a negative LFT for ANY cold symptoms so some places are even stricter. It's a real pain when kids start childcare as they seem to catch everything going but it is normal and does calm down.

Children with fevers, vomiting, hand foot and mouth and generally miserable should not be in childcare.
Also some colds in children are RSV which is worse than covid for babies.
Being off 7 times since September is actually pretty good for a toddler just starting childcare especially one who due to to lockdowns has been exposed to even less illnesses than normal.

Hand, foot and mouth is standard childcare refusal.

It depends on the cold symptoms - temperature or a cough then yes he needs a PCR.