Chickenpox

[LisaD1]

One of my mindees had chicken pox a couple of weeks ago, he was here with me the day before the rash came out and then off until they had scabbed over. IF my own child gets it do you know if I can still mind the child that had it originally and also any of my mindees that have already had it or do I need to close to every one?

Thanks.

if it was a few weeks ago and your child hasnt come out in cp, then prob wont this time

but yes once had cp then can still come to you and you may find that other parents are happy for their child to get cp, so you may not have to close at all

i would love my youngest to get the pox, but we just cant - have tried!!!

from the otherside here in that my child had cp and went to cm

the reason he was able to do this was he was pretty well in himself and all the other mindees had either had cp or didn't mind getting it,

As a parent I wouldn't have minded at all because my son was at an age where he would be ok if he got it.

just a note on the catching it front though my daughter and son had a 3 week difference between last spot (DS) to first spot(DD) so you're not totally clear for your child yet

When one of my mindees had chicken pox, I just asked all the parents if it was OK for him to come (not knowing if any of them were expecting, vulnerable, etc).

I think the incubation period from catching CP to the spots appearing is two weeks.

Current guidance is closure/away from school & childcare for a minimum of 5 days from the onset of rash. Some childminders prefer to add the requirement of being scabbed over before they come back too.

However this is only guidance and not a legal requirement so you can remain open if you choose. Its good practice to ensure parents and visitors are aware of the situation in case they are in contact with any vulnerable people you don't know about - relatives undergoing chemo, pregnant etc. Some parents will welcome the opportunity to get CP out of the way, others do prefer to try and avoid it.

So I would offer parents the choice to not pay and make alternative arrangements for those specific days or to send their child as usual.

If you remain open when your own children are unwell, parents may assume you can take their child when sick. So make sure parents understand if this is not the case. Even if all your current parents are happy with your decision, any parent you work with in the future may have different views.

The incubation period can be 21days from exposure to the onset of the spots.

Great fun with a 7wk old

Should know soon.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone..

So far we're 16 days after exposure and no signs yet so hoping it stays that way!