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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you send DC to nursery if they had a fever in the night ?

37 replies

wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 08:55

DC - two- woke up in the night with a fever. Have some Calpol and was OK.

Today seems fine. Usually I would not send DC to nursery in this situation. But I've got a full on day.

DC hasn't been at nursery that long, so I'm a bit of a novice at what parents do. I feel like I should keep DC off. What would / do you do ?

Thank you !

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 28/02/2022 08:58

I wouldn’t, because DD tends to go fever on/off for a while so being fine in the morning is no indication that she’ll still be fine in the afternoon, and sending her in could mean spreading it to all the other kids. (One day I shall track down the parent of the norovirus patient zero who got sent into nursery and gave it to everyone, and really truly blank them in the playground!) Plus a fever at nursery = PCR test and 48 hours off at least. Keeping her at home for one day is preferable imo.

But it depends on how often your DC gets fevers, do you think they’re poorly and the Calpol is masking it, or are they generally right as rain after this sort of thing, etc.

SlashBeef · 28/02/2022 08:59

Yes.

Notbluepeter · 28/02/2022 09:05

I sent DS in last week after having a fever over the weekend. I was completely honest with the nursery who promptly told me he couldn't attend without a negative PCR. My DH said I'm a fool for not lying. But the thought never even crossed my mind Blush

ParisLondonTokyoSlough · 28/02/2022 09:07

Depends- if obviously a fever due to a non-contagious issue (eg.teething) then I might explain to nursery staff that calpol has managed to keep their temp low and baby is just teething.

But if an inexplicable fever then no I wouldn’t as the remaining symptoms of the viral infection may yet reveal itself and it’s not fair on other children and parents who rely on the childcare and may catch the infection.

TheVolturi · 28/02/2022 09:07

Anything goes at our school! One of my kids friends was unwell and sick yesterday and the mum sent him today, because he's fine now. And apparently teacher said that was OK too! I give up.

Thereareliterallynonamesleft · 28/02/2022 09:08

I would/have, if they seem fine in the morning. Sometimes kids get over things really quickly, or they just have one random symptom and then nothing!

Original poster
wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 09:08

Nursery don't require any tests.

Regardless, I think I would generally prefer to keep an eye on DC for the day. I feel like it might be an ear infection as has been touching the ear a bit.

OP posts:
Crimesean · 28/02/2022 09:08

I'd not send DS in, especially after an unsettled night, but I'm a soft touch!

Cognoscenti · 28/02/2022 09:11

I wouldn't, purely due to the barrage of illnesses we've had recently due to kids picking them up at nursery. I understand they pick up more when they go, and am not precious about it, but the last few weeks has been constant and I'm now on my second (very) sore throat complete with almost constant hacking cough in 2 weeks. It's been miserable and I'd try to avoid being the one to spread it!

Original poster
wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 09:12

@Crimesean

I'd not send DS in, especially after an unsettled night, but I'm a soft touch!
Me too !! I wouldn't even send DC with runny nose at the beginning. Until I realised they have a runny nose and a cough pretty much all the time
OP posts:
User0610134049 · 28/02/2022 09:12

Yes because I was under pressure with work
But if it wouldn’t be that inconvenient not to then I would keep them home

Original poster
wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 09:14

@Cognoscenti

I wouldn't, purely due to the barrage of illnesses we've had recently due to kids picking them up at nursery. I understand they pick up more when they go, and am not precious about it, but the last few weeks has been constant and I'm now on my second (very) sore throat complete with almost constant hacking cough in 2 weeks. It's been miserable and I'd try to avoid being the one to spread it!
It's nuts !! Every time I walk into the nursery, all the kids are coughing and have a runny nose. I think my kid has been ill for about 6 weeks. But no fevers. Just last night. And today not wanting to eat or drink, so I think not feeling amazing. Will give cuddles and try not to lose my job !
OP posts:
RandomQuest · 28/02/2022 09:15

No I wouldn’t. Even if I was 100% certain it was teeth and not something infectious. If the fever spikes again at nursery they’ll be sent home for 48 hours plus probably asked to get a covid test and that’s way more inconvenient than 1 day at home.

CadhlaWren · 28/02/2022 09:16

No not in these times! It’s inconvenient but unfortunately a pandemic just is. Sending him in can mean the rest of the class catch it and then their parents lose a day too!

Onlyforcake · 28/02/2022 09:16

No.

xxxsuper · 28/02/2022 09:16

I would base my decision on the child, not what I had planned for the day. You say you would normally keep them off, but you have a full on day. So keep them off.

BobbinHood · 28/02/2022 09:16

A completely one-off fever in the night that’s gone in the morning and they seem completely themselves - I would. If they seem unsettled, very tired or possibly coming down with something I wouldn’t if I could avoid it.

Dreambigger · 28/02/2022 09:18

Yes send them in..but I work for the NHS and they are not sympathetic in my department at all about sick kids and expect us at work. Hmm

Original poster
wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 09:20

@RandomQuest

No I wouldn’t. Even if I was 100% certain it was teeth and not something infectious. If the fever spikes again at nursery they’ll be sent home for 48 hours plus probably asked to get a covid test and that’s way more inconvenient than 1 day at home.
Not at my nursery
OP posts:
SatinHeart · 28/02/2022 09:21

@Notbluepeter

I sent DS in last week after having a fever over the weekend. I was completely honest with the nursery who promptly told me he couldn't attend without a negative PCR. My DH said I'm a fool for not lying. But the thought never even crossed my mind Blush
Yeah I got stung like that once!

To answer the OP, if the fever hadn't gone back up once the calpol had worn off (so at least 6 hours after it was given) and they were happy, eating and drinking etc I'd send them in.

Original poster
wheretogoif · 28/02/2022 09:28

@SatinHeart no fever and it has been six hours. But not eating the usual breakfast and doesn't want to drink. So I don't think is feeling too hot. Had to give chocolate ! As it's the only thing that was acceptable !

OP posts:
Original poster
wheretogoif · 01/03/2022 06:31

OK update.. so yesterday DC had a bit of a fever on and off all day. Nothing shocking- up to 38. Was fine in themselves, but didn't want to eat usual food or drink a lot. Ate favourite foods happily and ran around quite a bit. I gave only on dose of Calpol all day.

No Calpol or medicine in the night and they slept all night peacefully, no fever.

In terms of other symptoms yesterday, just a slight runny nose.

I'll see how it goes this morning, but if the usual breakfast is refused again, maybe keep them home another day ? Or would you send ?

OP posts:
Darbs76 · 01/03/2022 06:39

Yes I did in the past because my kids were always getting fevers with teething etc, and if I kept them off everytime I’d have never got any work done. If your full on day means paid work send him in, if you mean meeting friends etc then no, keep him home

KindlyKanga · 01/03/2022 06:40

That sounds a lot like when my DC first got covid. So no.

mnnewbie111 · 01/03/2022 06:40

Yes mine had one in the night last night but fine now so going in.