Child not drinking at school

[krj2608]

My 4 year old daughter started school this week. A bit of background- she is under paediatrician for recurring utis (3-5 weekly).
Sometimes needs some reminders to drink. They think dehydration is one of the causes for them.

Yesterday she came home with a full up water bottle, and complaining she was sore down below. She was really red so I put sone sudacrem on her. We had a chat about drinking at school. She is quite shy so wouldn't necessarily ask for her drink.

I spoke to her teacher this morning about the history of utis and would they mind reminding her at snack and lunch. She has dairy allergy too so cannot have the milk cartons. I would really prefer her not back on antibiotics and wetting herself 10 times a day, and more hassle for them constantly changing her!

Her teachers response was "well we can't force her". I said no I understand that and it's very busy with children starting school (I'm was a reception teacher so I do understand) but when they have snack/milk could she be reminded to get her water bottle, she will drink.

I'm just really shocked at the teachers response!

@FuckingFlumps

Or a word with the school nurse seeing as its impacting upon her health?

Do state schools still have nurses? I've been teaching for years and been to hundreds of schools and have never come across one with a nurse.

All state schools in England have an allocated school nurse. They’re not in school all the time and are shared between a number of schools, but they still are there to help with the health needs of school age children.

All state schools in England have an allocated school nurse. They’re not in school all the time and are shared between a number of schools, but they still are there to help with the health needs of school age children.

Honestly had absolutely no idea this was a thing. I've never known a school I've taught in to have a nurse and certainly never seen one or had any details of how to get in touch with them if we needed support.

I had similar issues with my eldest, also had bladder issues and on medication .
I had to remind school frequently of her medical need to drink water regularly
The consultant wrote to the school
I had it agreed she could keep her water bottle on her desk rather than it be on tray somewhere and able to use toilet whenever, no waiting
I drew lines on the water bottle for how much to be drunk each break/ lunch. Ie drink down to next line
I bought a wobl watch and set alarms for drinking times coinciding with break/ lunch. I set two alarms 5 min apart

I usually had to remind school several times a year, and arranged face to face meeting each year with new teacher and head

@FuckingFlumps

All state schools in England have an allocated school nurse. They’re not in school all the time and are shared between a number of schools, but they still are there to help with the health needs of school age children.

Honestly had absolutely no idea this was a thing. I've never known a school I've taught in to have a nurse and certainly never seen one or had any details of how to get in touch with them if we needed support.

If you google your local authority name and school nursing team you’ll find their contact details. They’re involved with things like vaccination programmes, height and weight checks, hear I got and sight checks, putting together medical care plans, providing training for epipens and asthma, and children who have a ‘team around the family’ or other children’s services involvement. They’re like a health visitor for school age children.

I work in a school.

We have certain children we 'persuade' to drink, knowing that they won't if you don't remind them.

We're not forcing the water down them, but I put it in front of them and ask them to have a drink. I do this at both break time and lunchtime.

It's not the hardest thing to do.

Thanks everyone

She came home with a full up bottle again. Will add a drop of juice in tomorrow to see if that helps. I took a juice with me when I picked her up to make her drink then an ice lolly when we got home.

I get that it's busy in school. She hasn't had one the whole summer holiday as we encouraged her to drink. I might take her hospital letter with me so they can have a look at it and read the recommendations. If she continues to get the infections she will be put on a nightly dose of antibiotics which I would rather not do, if it can be helped.

Im a p1 teacher. I don't remind them regularly but if they're not well it becomes a priority. I may forget some days when no one can work their paper straws or something else comes up that causes a big interruption but I'd admit that if questioned by a parent . I think they could do better. But it's early days and the teacher is probably getting to grips with the routine.