Injured minded child - should I look after him or not?

[Mum2Luke]

Have a problem - the minded child I have injured himself while not in my care. He impaled himself while climbing over a railing and ended up in hospital for a few days with a punctured lung.

I am not qualified to do dressings and it will be a boring 2 weeks for my own ds if the minded child cannot play football/go swimming/play at a playcentre.

I am also losing money as I am only getting half payment.

at the injury. I wouldn't feel confident looking after him if he is very unwell. Does he need the dressings changing during the day? If not, could he come with you and read books if he's not fit to take part in the other activities.

Is it in your contract that you only get half pay if children are off sick? If so you're stuck with it I'm afraid. Maybe thats one to renegotiate for future. :)

Why are you only getting half payment? If a child is off sick they still pay me full fee. Might be worthwhile changing your contract?

That is a serious injury, I am not sure whether I would take it on. Probably not (depends what I would have to do), as I have a few kids, and it's unfair to keep them all in, all the time.

Not sure you would be expected to do the dressings... wouldn't hospital or the child's GP be doing that? When I've cared for a child who had an accident (different injury), dressings where changed every 3 days by hospital.

Caring for the child could well restrict what activities you can do.

What information have you been given so far with regard to care plan? Is is still under hospital or GP treatment/observation? Would you be expected to take him to appointments/dressing changes?

As a nanny I would probably do it... but if I were a childminder, not sure I would as the relationship is different. Is he well enough to go to school? (if of school age)

This is why I'm re-writing my policies about children who are too ill to take part in normal activities.

At the moment, I'm not sure whether my policies would dictate I should take the child. It would certainly depend on the care required.

I get full pay if a child if off sick, but nothing if I am off sick, so hopefully I would be covered.

am trained nurse(but now) cm so would say no.. if child not able to 'join' in the setting activities then too poorley to come and should be at home as not fair on other children attending... quite agree with you.

Thanks for your replies, he is recovering well, no dressings now but just got to take it easy for next 2 weeks. Not on painkillers either now either, just has his asthma inhaler.

We are going to do 'gentle things' like local museum visits in Tameside and Manchester and to places such as Blue Planet Aquarium near Ellesmere Port as well.

Am getting full this week, I just didn't charge for when he was in hospital.