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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How ill is too ill for nursery?

89 replies

Tyrannynormus · 23/10/2020 11:28

Two year old DD is my first so I'm new to all this 😂

DD has had a cold pretty much all week now, with a mucus cough that's pretty bad if shes been lying down, occasionally a temp too. I'm pretty sure its not Corona, just a bad cold.

Her dad says send her to nursery shell be fine (he used to be a nursery worker)

AIBU to keep her off this afternoon, shes not due back in till Monday so a few more days go feel better.
No one slept last night as she kept waking up and shes just slept over an hour now and still doesn't want to get out of bed, just wants to lay and snuggle and watch her nursery rhymes on tv. Shes not long started nursery though and I'm worried shell get out of the routine of going, she already gets up set being left Sad

OP posts:
HazeyJaneII · 23/10/2020 11:47

@Tyrannynormus

I've spoke to 111 to see if they thought it was appropriate to try get her a test and they said no, its unlikely as she doesn't have a continuous cough, mainly when she wakes up and then it seems to ease off and because it coincides with a runny nose and lots of sneezing.
A temperature and a cough, and 111 said no! Jeebus, really?!

Then I'd ignore 111 and get her tested anyway, as those are 2 symptoms, that mean she could potentially have Covid.

If she were coming in to the preschool I work at, you would be told to all stay home for 14 days, or until a negative test.

But we would have also asked you to please keep her home in profit days too...a child with a temperature should not be in an early years setting.

MootingMirror · 23/10/2020 11:47

@Tyrannynormus

I should have phrased that better, I spoke to 111 about her general symptoms as shes been quite tired aswell, they also advised to keep an eye on her appetite. Loss of appetite and I need to call the Dr, but did also speak to them whether or not I should be looking to get her a test and they said it was more than likely just related to cold symptoms. No mention of being unable to advise.

I've rung nursery and shes staying off this afternoon but still no requirement for a test before returning Confused

So, did 111 say she's not eligible for a test then or not? Because 111 aren't allowed to advise on that and were lying to you if they did say that.
Isadora2007 · 23/10/2020 11:50

Loss of appetite and cold symptoms were exactly what my toddler grandchild experienced when we all
Tested approve for Covid.
111 and your Dr are talking shit. Get Her tested.

quizqueen · 23/10/2020 11:51

Ask yourself, do you think it's right to send a child into nursery with the symptoms you've mentioned, even in normal tines. She'll infect everyone else including possibly the staff who will then probably have to isolate and get tested and lose pay if they show those symptoms.

SqidgeBum · 23/10/2020 11:53

Its pretty simple with nurseries; cough or temp, test is needed, or 14 day isolation if you dont get a test.

If it's just a runny nose, you dont need a test and the kid can go in.

My DD had a runny nose 2 weeks ago while cutting teeth and I sent her in. The nursery said loads have runny noses and it's not an issue. It's only when they have a cough or temp that they are advised through the policy send by PHE to send a kid home.

ChocoholicMama · 23/10/2020 11:56

Ring 119 to speak to the Covid line. They will tell you if she's eligible for a test or not. I'm very surprised your nursery aren't requiring her to isolate or have a negative test before returning when she has a temperature and a bad cough. I'm currently stuck home with the toddler who is isolating due to a positive case in his bubble and am clinically vulnerable (late pregnancy) so I do find it frustrating that you're potentially going to send in a child that could have Covid. Yes, it's probably a cold, but it could be Covid, hence the need for a test. You're potentially putting others at risk and doing nothing to help prevent the spread at a time when cases are going up a lot.

Original poster
Tyrannynormus · 23/10/2020 11:57

111 just said it was likely a bad cold, keep and eye on her appetite, if she loses her appetite to call the Dr. They didnt seem concerned about covid, nor did they mention they weren't to advise on covid. I asked should I be looking to get her a test and they said that as her main symptoms were common cold symptoms she might not get one anyway.

I'm not even more confused with my nursery policy, they're happy to have her in Monday with out a test, and they're still happy to have her if she has a temp.

For the poster who asked, she perks up after some calpol and seems pretty much back to her normal self in the afternoon. But is always poorly in the morning and evening.

OP posts:
everyothernamewastaken · 23/10/2020 11:57

As others have said even talking covid aside you shouldn't send a child to nursery with a temperature or when they're feeling really rotten like that. It's not fair on anyone.

Thefaceofboe · 23/10/2020 11:57

There’s no way 111 said not to bother getting her tested if she’s got a cough and a temp. Even without the cough, a temperature of 37.8 (I think) or above needs testing.

Thefaceofboe · 23/10/2020 11:58

they're still happy to have her if she has a temp

This isn’t upto the nursery, it’s the governments guidelines.

Planty13 · 23/10/2020 12:01

It’s not up to the nursery. There are literally adverts EVERYWHERE telling people to get tested if you have any of the 3 main symptoms.

Original poster
Tyrannynormus · 23/10/2020 12:01

@quizqueen

Ask yourself, do you think it's right to send a child into nursery with the symptoms you've mentioned, even in normal tines. She'll infect everyone else including possibly the staff who will then probably have to isolate and get tested and lose pay if they show those symptoms.
Well no I wasnt sure, however her dad seemed to think I was over reacting hence asking on here. Obviously the consensus is no, she shouldn't go in and I've told nursery she isnt going in today. But their policy seems to contradict what everyone on here is saying Confused

I'm a student, everything is online and we havnt actually been out since DD has been poorly so weve sorted coincidentally isolated anyway.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 23/10/2020 12:01

I bed the medical profession would love the magical powers some people seem to have to decide something isn't covid. Imagine how many lives and how much money would be saved across the world.

Whoever you spoke to on the phone needs sacking.

GreyishDays · 23/10/2020 12:04

@Thefaceofboe

There’s no way 111 said not to bother getting her tested if she’s got a cough and a temp. Even without the cough, a temperature of 37.8 (I think) or above needs testing.
Yes, 37.8.
MootingMirror · 23/10/2020 12:04

@lunar1

I bed the medical profession would love the magical powers some people seem to have to decide something isn't covid. Imagine how many lives and how much money would be saved across the world.

Whoever you spoke to on the phone needs sacking.

I don't want to be this person but I don't believe OP even spoke to 111 about Covid.
lunar1 · 23/10/2020 12:06

Me too @MootingMirror

HazeyJaneII · 23/10/2020 12:07

Go online
Put in details
Tick Yes for 'do you have symptoms'
(Cough and temp)
Follow instructions
Book test isolate until a negative result
By doing this you will be following govt guidelines.
Ignore nursery and whoever told you not to get a test as they are cold symptoms

Thefaceofboe · 23/10/2020 12:07

Chances are she doesn’t have covid, just get her a test and you can relax knowing it’s just a cold and she can return to nursery

Hollyhobbi · 23/10/2020 12:12

@DrizzleandDamp you do know there are more than 3 symptoms of Covid 19?

2bazookas · 23/10/2020 12:14

Small children struggle to regulate their temperature, and have no understanding of the effects of a fever, so to them, a temperature spike can make them feel far more miserable than an adult would. Infants don't understand why they feel hot and cold, sick, sleepy, sore etc.

I would NEVER send a child to nursery with a raised temperature. Its unfair to them and to the nursery staff and other kids.

esmethurst · 23/10/2020 12:15

Honestly I wouldn't be letting my child anywhere near a nursery that thinks it's ok to send a child in who has a temperature.
They evidently don't care and I would be wondering what other thinks they lack ability to do

Dobbyismyfavourite · 23/10/2020 12:16

Absolutely should not be in nursery, even pre-Covid. Any child who is coughing and has a temperature of 37.8C needs a test and your family needs to self isolate until the results come back. The likelihood is that all families with children in school/nursery with have to do this several times this winter.

My DD had a cold but because of symptoms need a Covid-19 test which meant no school or work for us all until she received a negative result. It's a pain but it is what it is!

Thefaceofboe · 23/10/2020 12:17

@Hollyhobbi when you are signing up for a test it only asks you to tick any of the 3 symptoms, a consistent cough, temperature, loss of taste and smell.

HeyBlaby · 23/10/2020 12:18

In normal times would never have sent ny son with a temperature, you feel miserable with a high temp, in the current climate definitely whole family isolate unless a negative test is returned for your DD, thems the rules Smile

anothergloriusmorning · 23/10/2020 12:35

Without considering Covid I'd say it sounds like she's too poorly to be at nursery anyway.

As she has a cough and a temperature, she needs to be tested.

If her nursery are happy for her to go in next week with a cough and a temperature I'd be really worried because that means every other child can also attend with those symptoms...covid symptoms... and I'd question what other 'rules' the nursery are choosing to ignore?!