to ask if this is normal - nursery related

[pyjamapyjama]

My baby started nursery at 8 months old back in September when I returned from work/uni. Since he's started he's had 2 colds, a chest infection, and a vomiting bug - I know this is because he's not got an immune system etc. But the nursery phone me at least once a week (he's in 3 days) to get someone to pick him up either because he's had a loose nappy - fair enough, I understand they don't want kids catching stuff - although he is teething pretty badly and his nappies have been horrendous lately, or it'll be a phone call because he's "not himself and full of the cold".

I feel like I need to say that the staff are all really nice, I get on with them really well. They're also good with DS from what I've seen. But I also would never send him to nursery if I thought he was too ill.

The last week or so he's been really fucking moany very clingy and upset and I hate seeing him like that because he's usually such a happy wee boy and doesn't sit still. But because he's cutting a few teeth just now he's constantly crying and wanting to be held.

So the nursery phoned me a few days ago and wanted me to come in for a chat about how best to support him because he's been so upset etc etc. She also said how it's 'not fair on the staff or the other babies' that he's needing comforted lots more than usual and also asking 'what is your relationship like with his dad' which just made me feel a bit paranoid - is this really relevant? I'm just worried now that we'll be asked to take him out of the nursery over a bout of teething?

I don’t think this is normal but they must have a policy you could look at? At DD’s Nursery they have specific times off for temperatures (not due to teething), and she has had an ear infection, hand foot and mouth and impetigo all in the last month and they haven’t called me once.

Obviously I didn’t send her in once I knew she was unwell and what with, but they’ve never asked me to come and get her because of a cold.

No that isn't normal. My eldest was sick a few times. My 2nd and 3rd were sick less with my 3rd being sick very very few times.

You need to think about a few things. My kids get a bath as soon as they come home and put into clean PJs. Yes it's a lot of laundry but it really cut down on the number of times my DC were sick. I also give them a multivitamin when I can remember.

The daycare we use these days is extremely clean. They close at 5:30pm and the staff spend 1hr30mins cleaning. Toys are sterilized daily. They also have a maximum of 12 DC per room. I would be asking why your DC gets sick so much at their facility when they don't get sick like this at home.

Having worked in nurseries it is bloody hard when you have a baby that requires 1:1 attention due to screaming. It sets the other babies off, and puts everyone on edge. They're probably trying to work out what the hell to do.

Our nursery has the following rules about sickness

3 loose nappies in a day and you go home
Fever, they give Calpol and call you to pick up as soon as you can
Vomiting you go home and can't come back till you have 48hrs clear

Snotty nose or bit of a cough are fine because that's basically all of the kids from November to April

Clingyness gets cuddles, sensory room, reading corner or other quiet activities

Medication can only be given if its prescribed and you fill out a medication form, that includes teething gel/powders, excema cream and so on.

Calpol and cold compresses for bumps are the only thing they give without a prescription but you do have to fill out a consent form/ sign the accident form.

Forgot to add that the current nursery will take a sick child out of the room and have them in the office until they are picked up. Something so simple has very effectively cut down on the other DC catching something going around.

I don't think it's normal to call you to collect him when he has a cold. Dd was ill with coughs and colds and hand foot and mouth for the first 6 months after she started nursery. Luckily she's not had a vomiting bug. The only time I've been asked to collect her is of she has a temperature over 37.7 that doesn't go down with Calpol and when she had chicken pox.

I used to be a nursery nurse and when a baby is teething there's not much you can do apart from give Calpol if it's needed and teething gel. I'm not sure they should be asking you to collect if he's upset, he's bound to be if he's teething.

I also don't think your relationship with his father should have anything to do with it.

I'd ask to read their policy about illness and under what circumstances parents are asked to collect etc.