Covid test on baby

[Namechngeforthis]

Would you allow a PCR test to be done on an 11 month old? (No close contact with a positive case and no symptoms but it’s been requested)

She has had a negative lateral flow at home done by me and was very very distressed

Yabu- just do the test
Yanbu- I wouldn’t allow it

Absolutely not.

If they have symptoms themselves then yes, but in your situation no I wouldn’t be subjecting my child to an invasive medical test just because a nursery told me to.

You do it yourself at a drive through centre. It's only the nose and the swab is really wide so you can't hurt them. She cried while I did it but was fine right away after, she got more upset having to take Calpol!

If she is not symptomatic, and had not been in close contact with a positive case, the nursery are not allowed to insist on testing and cannot deny access to the setting because of refusal to test. It is non compliant with the DfE rules, and NHS and education setting testing of pupils only applies to year 7 and above if they are not symptomatic. I would challenge this and cite the guidelines linked above on gov.uk

Children in the bubble where the staff member was have all been sent home to isolate.
My baby has not been in contact or been asked to isolate because she has not been in contact with anyone who is tested positive. It’s a different class where the positive test was detected.
They have asked all children to get a pcr test before they return and send evidence of the negative result.

A PCR test is only suppose to be done if they have symptoms.

The nursery are making the rules up! If she has been in close contact the current guidelines are to isolate for 10 days. If not in close contact then you don't need to do anything.

Ask why she needs one? Even if you did do one it doesn't mean she is clear anyway!

I did it myself at the drive through test centre. Was quite easy with her being in the car seat.

My DD has had 7 PCR tests, first at 12 months old. The parents always does it. It’s only nostrils and it’s unpleasant but fine.
But nursery is unreasonable to ask in the circumstances described. Ours were done for nursery because DD had either cough or temperature.

I've done lots over the past year on my then baby, now toddler, and I don't find them stressful anymore. At a drive in test centre, I ask to park in a space where I can get out of the car (even though the email suggests this isn't possible, I've never been refused), twist the seat round to face me and then pin him down and swab each nostril for as long as he'll let me.

But I don't understand why your nursery are asking for one.

Did one on my 10 month old a few weeks ago. Just one nostril and no mouth. She was fine!

I’d also be angry that they won’t take her back until the negative result. My son had a test yesterday at 8am and the result came through at 3pm today so that’s 2 days of nursery that would be missed (and I’m guessing paid for) for no reason.

Yes I would.

I have done countless babies and you just do the best you can.
15 seconds doesn't happen, if you can't manage the throat then you can't.
Just do the nose the best you can and that will have to do.

Job done.

FWIW I only would if I had to, as in, I need to be at work.

If her nursery place had no impact on my being able to work then no I wouldn't.

I'm assuming she needs to go to nursery.
If not, I wouldn't do it. I'd just isolate with her

Under those circumstances absolutely not. She is not symptomatic and they shouldn’t be asking for mass PCR tests. The tests are not harm free for some children. You don’t want to do it uncessarily as it’s horrid enough doing little ones when you really need to. I’d answer the questions on the testing website honestly and it’ll tell you you’re not eligible.

I think your regional health protection team would be interested to know that the nursery is making this request of parents. If the nursery has an outbreak so bad that they need surge PCR testing then they should be known to the HPT anyway.

I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe the nursery don't know who has been in contact with who, they've maybe got their bubbles a bit disorganised. I don't think nursery can request you PCR test, they're only for people with symptoms - they could maybe request a lateral flow?

I wouldn't be happy with it, but if I was stuck for childcare and nursery wouldn't let her attend without one then I guess I'd just have to suck it up and get on with it

What? At last count I've taken my child for 11 PCR tests since Covid hit right as she turned one. I do them at walk-in centres usually so I do them myself. Even the drive-through ones we generally had to do it ourself in the car.
Honestly, it's fine. They only ask you swab the nose. It's not pleasant but it's fine, and they do forget quickly. I think you're being U to think that this is a huge traumatising deal.

I think everyone saying the nursery are stupid are sort of missing the point. Nurseries are allowed to put in place whatever policy they want and a lot of them are being overly cautious and have in place very stringent (and often slightly stupid) rules but they are allowed to do so and the OP needs to find a solution. Our nursery has similarly silly rules but there doesn't seem much point in falling out with them about it or reporting them or whatever else others have suggested and it's unlikely to get you anywhere apart from souring the relationship with your child's caregiver. Our nursery has to send out mass passive aggressive emails on a regular basis ostensibly to all parents but clearly to address particular parents' giving them a hard time about their rules.

@Mulhollandmagoo

I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe the nursery don't know who has been in contact with who, they've maybe got their bubbles a bit disorganised. I don't think nursery can request you PCR test, they're only for people with symptoms - they could maybe request a lateral flow?

I wouldn't be happy with it, but if I was stuck for childcare and nursery wouldn't let her attend without one then I guess I'd just have to suck it up and get on with it

This was my thoughts. Either she needs to isolate as she has been in contact or she is fine and doesn’t need a test. It’s very strange

@pigglepot

I think everyone saying the nursery are stupid are sort of missing the point. Nurseries are allowed to put in place whatever policy they want and a lot of them are being overly cautious and have in place very stringent (and often slightly stupid) rules but they are allowed to do so and the OP needs to find a solution. Our nursery has similarly silly rules but there doesn't seem much point in falling out with them about it or reporting them or whatever else others have suggested and it's unlikely to get you anywhere apart from souring the relationship with your child's caregiver. Our nursery has to send out mass passive aggressive emails on a regular basis ostensibly to all parents but clearly to address particular parents' giving them a hard time about their rules.

They aren’t allowed to set up their own PCR surge testing scheme!

@ladycarlotta

What? At last count I've taken my child for 11 PCR tests since Covid hit right as she turned one. I do them at walk-in centres usually so I do them myself. Even the drive-through ones we generally had to do it ourself in the car. Honestly, it's fine. They only ask you swab the nose. It's not pleasant but it's fine, and they do forget quickly. I think you're being U to think that this is a huge traumatising deal.

Where did I say that it was a huge traumatising deal? I was genuinely asking other parents what they would do to ask for some guidance and reassurance

Testing my 3 year old is the most traumatic thing I've ever done and requires two adults to pin him down and get the swab in his nose while he screams in abject terror and begs "please please mummy no". After four tests over last 18 months I am never going to do one while he's awake again unless there is some major reason. I and some other parents have done the nose swab while child is sleeping and that has worked.
Our nursery said DoE had said every child needed a negative PCR result after a closure when a nursery staff member tested positive, even though the kids had all isolated. It wasn't enforced though and there is no legal power to make the kids have the tests so I would just see what happens if you ignore the request.

Being distressed and being traumatised are very different things. I never insinuated that I had traumatised her but it was not a nice experience for either of us and I’m not in a rush to do it again when there doesn’t seem to be a reason

@Zhampagne I think saying they are setting up their own surge testing scheme is a bit dramatic!

For reassurance - Just had one for my ds for the same reason. Super easy, no fuss. It’s either that or no childcare so it’s your choice if they are insisting. I suppose they have to protect the whole nursery? Ask for clarity if you’re not happy given your dc isn’t a direct contact (otherwise what is the point of bubbles??).

[quote pigglepot]@Zhampagne I think saying they are setting up their own surge testing scheme is a bit dramatic! [/quote]
They want every child PCR tested. They don’t have the authority to do that.