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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give DS calpol before nursery?

189 replies

CalpolDilemma · 05/04/2022 08:33

Our nursery has a policy that children can’t be given calpol before or at nursery in case it masks illness. They also send home any child who has a temperature over 37.5 degrees.

DS is teething. He could be unwell but he has all the classic signs of teething. His temperature is 37.6. He’s well in himself and happy and playing, but is slightly warm. WWYD?

He’s 18 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
CalpolDilemma · 05/04/2022 08:48

Shamelessly bumping

OP posts:
Glenthebattleostrich · 05/04/2022 08:50

Yes you are unreasonable. I say that as I sit here with my childminding business closed for the day because someone sent a 'teething' child. My 11 year old daughter caught 'teething'' and has been throwing up since 5. Their choice has cost me 2 days income and put my holiday on Thursday at risk.

Lazypuppy · 05/04/2022 08:53

I would and do, as do most of the parents i know at our nursery.

Bicnod · 05/04/2022 08:54

37.6 is hardly a temperature at all. I would give Calpol and send him in unless he seems actually unwell.

SummerHouse · 05/04/2022 08:54

My DS had a really soar throat. School has policy of "if they are ill enough for Calpol they are ill enough to be kept home." I gave him Calpol.

I wouldn't make a habit of it but I think you have to do what you think is right in your specific circumstances.

AchillesPoirot · 05/04/2022 08:55

I wouldn’t because it could mean he is incubating a bug.

pradavilla · 05/04/2022 08:56

Ridiculous policy. Give him it and send him in. Temperature might go up again but maybe he'll make it until lunch time.

Nursery my kids go to are happy for them to be given calpol for teething. If he they had a tempo though they'll be sent home now because of covid.

LittleBearPad · 05/04/2022 08:57

I’d give him calpol. 37.5 isn’t a very high temp.

LoveSpringDaffs · 05/04/2022 08:58

I'd give calpol if I thought my child needed it, BUT in this climate, I'd keep him hope. I know it's not easy if you have to go to work, but it's the right thing to do. He's obviously not 109% if you felt the need to take his temperature & it's not fair to pass it on to other kids/staff.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 05/04/2022 08:59

I always found ibuprofen better for teething pain, and it lasts longer too!

CoalCraft · 05/04/2022 09:00

I'd be tempted, but won't they just take his temp once the Calpol wears off and send him home?

Pyri · 05/04/2022 09:01

37.6 isn’t even enough of a temp for them to test for anyway so I’d send him in

I think if you know the reason why they’re ill then calpol is fine to use but “teething” can often actually be something else like a bug. That said, if you kept them off every time they had the smallest sniffle they’d never go in

HappyAsLarry2022 · 05/04/2022 09:01

If they need calpol, they need to be at home. If the temperature goes up after the calpol wears off, they will know what you’ve done

flower277 · 05/04/2022 09:02

As someone who has worked in nurseries and currently works in a school, it’s really frustrating when parents do this.

flower277 · 05/04/2022 09:03

And yes we quite often realise children have been given calpol before they come in! We aren’t daft.

iamsoreadyforbednow · 05/04/2022 09:04

I remember when my child caught a virus at nursery that made her so poorly she lost consciousness and needed an ambulance out.

So from one mum to another I think it’s pretty selfish to stuff their policy that’s in place to keep others safe and well and risk passing on illness to others. You even say yourself he could be unwell - with even the tiniest bit of doubt I would be keeping them home.

inheritancetrack · 05/04/2022 09:04

Don't give it at home, but allow them to give it if it is simple teething and he is grizzly. If it's not bothering him, why give it anyway if he's happy and playing. A slight rise in temperature isn't reason enough. Nursery are right in this

SerendipitySunshine · 05/04/2022 09:05

If they need calpol they should be at home.

Mrsmch123 · 05/04/2022 09:08

Yip I would give him calpol and send him in if your certain it's just teething. If he's that bad then they will call you to pick him up😬

Staryflight445 · 05/04/2022 09:11

He’s hot for a reason, teething doesn’t cause a temperature.

Of course he shouldn’t be at nursery if he needs calpol.

Woeismethischristmas · 05/04/2022 09:11

Calpol or ibuprofen is better if you have it and send him in. That’s what I did when mines were that age. It’s rubbish but I don’t get paid if off plus cost of childcare fees. Not sure how people manage to keep children off for every sniffle whilst keeping their jobs tbh.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 05/04/2022 09:12

How can anyone be certain it’s just teething?
My DS currently has “teething” symptoms - temperature, dribbling, red cheeks, chewing his hands.
But 3 of my family members who he has seen have covid so…

Staryflight445 · 05/04/2022 09:14

Your child is your responsibility, sending them in unwell enough to need medicating is awful.

@Woeismethischristmas

TabithaHazel · 05/04/2022 09:14

If it's for teething pain then ibuprofen is better. Does he have a temperature from something else?

RaginaPhalange · 05/04/2022 09:14

That is such a bizarre policy. I've worked in childcare for years and never heard of this. Everywhere I have worked we are always able to administrator calpol or any other medication. I would give it to him and send him to nursery.

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