Childminder changing rules

[Mama12345678910]

Hi everyone after some advice and if you know where we stand.

Without notice our childminder has changed her policy to state that if a child has any of the main symptoms such as cough, temp etc they need to get a test and then isolate but also if they have a range of symptoms such as vomiting, runny nose, headache etc!

It then goes on to say that even if my child has a test and tests negative they still need to isolate for 10 days!

Is this even allowed? This wasn’t in the contact we originally signed or policy’s and if my child has to be off every time they have a symptom which could be a symptom of covid he will never be in. I don’t get paid when I have to take time off for him either.

Let me know

I have heard very recently from somebody that her nursery are asking children who have cold symptoms to be tested.But once the test result is negative the child can go back. I think thats fair enough. Why would you isolate for a negative test. That's silly. Childminders seem to be a law into themselves. Why not think about a nursery instead.

Hi, she has the right to amend any policies and does not need your consent to do. The guidance is continually changing so the policy’s have to be changed to reflect this. My policies are changing regularly at the moment to reflect latest guidance across arrange of policy’s if parents don’t agree they are free to give full paid notice. My covid policy is very strict and I will give immediate notice to any parents who take the mick and put me at further risk.

@ Viviennemary guidance from my local authority is even with negative test child still needs to isolate for full 10 days as they could still test positive a few days later.

The whole point of the test is to stop you needing to isolate if you have symptoms as it means you don't have covid

Of course it’s allowed. A childminder can set any terms they like- it’s up to the customer (you) to read them and decide whether you agree or don’t and if not- find an alternative provider.

Is that not if you are a contact rather than the person with symptoms?

I'm a childminder, she correct to ask for the child with those symptoms not to attend until a test is done but if the test is negative then they can return. The issue with covid is the range of possible symptoms is endless. The policy should of been sent to you to sign and agree to. Shes probably trying just to protect her business and the other children in her care but she can't ask you to isolate your child if the test is negative.

@Apple40

@ Viviennemary guidance from my local authority is even with negative test child still needs to isolate for full 10 days as they could still test positive a few days later.

Surely thats if you are isolating due to contact with a case, not the person with symptoms

Thanks for your replies so far. No it definitely says children need to isolate for 10 days even if test is negative so my argument is why would I even bother putting my child through a test when the outcome would be the same.

Also you are only entitled to a test if you have one of the main symptoms such as a cough, temp change to smell and taste etc not because you’ve been sick or you’ve got a runny nose but she is insisting on it or isolate for 10 days. Like I say if the outcome is the same what is the point in having a test.

Also, she is saying if my child has been sick but has no other symptoms they must be looked after at home by me or dad and if they go to anyone else to provide childcare then the 10 days must start again. This isn’t feasible for us as I can’t afford to take 10 days unpaid when my child could possibly have a symptom of covid.

@Viviennemary yes that is reasonable to me after a negative test but regardless of test result 10 days! What’s the point in doing the test?!

@Apple40

@ Viviennemary guidance from my local authority is even with negative test child still needs to isolate for full 10 days as they could still test positive a few days later.

That’s usually only for contact with a covid positive case. If they have symptoms themselves and test negative then they can resume activities.

@Gorbie I understand she is trying to protect the children but the Government doesn’t recognise symptom or a runny nose as a symptom so you’re not entitled to a test. I’ve already tried and unless you have one of the main 3 symptoms you can’t get a test.

Lateral flow tests will also not be accepted either

I guess I can understand why she’d want a test for the other symptoms; bit of a stretch but I’d go sigh that but not the 10 days isolation even if the test is negative. I also can’t understand the logic of why other people can’t look after the child. I’d never normally suggest this but I probably wouldn’t tell her but I’d also start looking for another childminder as my DC would never be there on the basis of 10 day isolation after a runny nose

I'd just start looking for another childminder.

Shes probably trying just to protect her business and the other children in her care but she can't ask you to isolate your child if the test is negative.

She can't ask you to isolate the child if that's not the current guidelines, but she can refuse to take your child if that's her policy.

Also you are only entitled to a test if you have one of the main symptoms such as a cough, temp change to smell and taste etc not because you’ve been sick or you’ve got a runny nose but she is insisting on it or isolate for 10 days. Like I say if the outcome is the same what is the point in having a test.

This contradicts what you previously said. You said she asked that children isolate of 10 days whether a test is negative or not (the point of doing the test would be letting others know they have been in contact with a positive case). In that paragraph above you say she is insisting on a test OR isolate for 10 days?

A runny nose? Everyone is either going to view this as a CM or a parent.

Based on the runny nose I would be looking for another CM. It’s never bloody ending FFS.

I also can’t understand the logic of why other people can’t look after the child.

Because everyone the child comes into contact with is a potential new risk of passing on covid I would imagine.

The childminder can choose not to allow a child with symptoms or any illness in until tested.

Once negative they shouldn't charge if they insist 10 days off because that isn't in government guidance.

They also can't insist you isolate the child against government guidelines. So you can use childcare bubble or something.

I would send a letter asking for clarification that they are changing their policy to 10 days off nursery for any illness including a negative test and therefore won't charge you for the period they are excluding the child (as not government guidance).

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion the policy states if the child displays any symptoms then a test will be needed. It says if the test is positive then the child will need to isolate for 10 days and the setting will be closed. This part I don’t have a problem with. It then goes on to say if the test is negative or a test is unable to be taken the child will need to isolate for 10 days so regardless of if the test is positive or negative or you can’t get a test because you don’t have one of the 3 main symptoms you still have to isolate

Well if you are unable to get a test, of course your child needs to isolate if they have symptoms.
I struggle to see why she wants the child to isolate for 10 days with a negative test, but it's her business and she can make whatever rules she likes. She is only one person, she is obviously being extra cautious. Have you queried the isolation after a negative test with her? Asked her what her reaso is for that?

But a runny nose? I don’t have a problem with isolating for an outlined symptom but any illness is what I struggle with. It’s not guidance and if we have to isolate for 10 days every time we have a sniffle we’ll never leave the house.

In regards to unable to get a test I’d be unable to get one because he wouldn’t be entitled to one with a runny nose because they don’t recognise this as a symptom. If everyone was getting tests anytime they had something that could possibly be a symptom there wouldn’t be enough tests. Even 119 have said it’s incorrect and there’s no reason to isolate after a negative test or get a test for a runny nose.

She said you still have to isolate because tests aren’t 100% accurate so can’t be relied upon. She also wants full fees too

But a runny nose? I don’t have a problem with isolating for an outlined symptom but any illness is what I struggle with. It’s not guidance and if we have to isolate for 10 days every time we have a sniffle we’ll never leave the house.

Symptoms for children can be very different than those for adults. Headache being a main one.
If you want a test you will just have to lie.

If you are not happy with her policy, look for different childcare arrangements. There really is nothing you can do. Childminders can't be forced to look after a child.

OP should not be lying in order to get a test. Why should she do that? The CM should be following the guidelines too! Not expecting OP to lie.

If you want a test you will just have to lie.

I'm not sure the solution to this problem is to lie! It doesn't matter if the OP gets a test or not as her child still wont be able to attend.

I would be amazed if she ever had any children to look after if she's not allowing anyone with so much as a runny nose through the threshold. I honestly think your only option would be to look for alternative childcare.

She must realise that you wont actually be able to afford to pay her if your not able to work and you have to have 10 days off everytime your child is even slightly under the weather.

She should give you a month's notice of the policy change, and if you don't agree then you have a month to find alternative care.