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Original poster

Do I really need a doctor's letter?

32 replies

Wispabarsareback · 10/02/2009 13:01

Genuinely seeking views here about what's reasonable and necessary. DD2 (18 months old) has a mild chest infection, for which she has been prescribed antibiotics. She's had several days of feeling unwell, but seems much better today - no temperature, coughing much less, generally perkier. She hasn't been at her CM while she's been unwell - I kept her at home today just to be sure she was really fine, but was thinking I'd plan for her to go to CM as usual tomorrow.

I just had a call from CM telling me that I couldn't bring DD back without a letter from a doctor confirming she was fine 'to participate in normal acivities'. I wouldn't send her back to the CM unless she was better, and I can't see me getting a GP's letter by tomorrow, or even the day after. (When I've sought similar things before, it's taken a day or two for the letter to be available, once an appointment has been made for her to be seen etc.) I wouldn't be expecting the CM to give antibiotics.

Is it really necessary and reasonable for CM to insist on this? It seems like unnecessary bureaucracy to me - why is a doctor's word more valid than mine as DD's main carer?

Interested in your views. Am panicking about how to manage this week's work commitments...

OP posts:
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alibubbles · 10/02/2009 13:26

I have two sick mindies with me today, not so unwell that they shouldn't be here, but nonetheless, unwell and asleep!

I am an O/S ofsted and part of a network, that is rubbish about a certificate!

Schools don't ask for them Miss" too efficient" me thinks!

Chest infection not infectious, Dd had loads as she is asthmatic, no one else ever got one.

bigdonna · 10/02/2009 13:21

i am a cm i do follow rules but i take the childs/parents needs first,i have taken child with chicken pox (she was my only mindee)by choice.i still have exmindees when ill off school as i love to see them.as long as they are not infectious sometimes they are just very tired from coughing at night and just need some tlc.bet your glad shes going to nursery soon,not all cm are like that most of us are very caring and loving.

funnypeculiar · 10/02/2009 13:19

Have never been asked to provide a doctors (through 3 childminders, all rated Ofsted outstanding) - sounds a bit paper-wrok crazed to me

ilovemydogandMrObama · 10/02/2009 13:14

Your CM wants a sick note? For an 18 month old?

Original poster
Wispabarsareback · 10/02/2009 13:13

Oh she's done it before for non-infectious things! She tells me her 'coordinator' (Nat Childminders' Assoc area coordinator I think) requires it.

She's a bit of a one for sticking legalistically to procedures - in fact I'm convinced she's keener on paperwork than small children! (This is DD2's last week with her - DD's starting nursery in a couple of weeks.)

OP posts:
bigdonna · 10/02/2009 13:08

i think she can only do this if she thinks child is infectious but youn cant catch a chest infection.

bigdonna · 10/02/2009 13:07

sounds abit far fetched i wouldnt dream of asking a parent for a letter the most my mindees stay off is 24 hrs,agter given antibiotics .she will be able to see!!!

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