When to keep child off school

[Lcw29]

My son is in reception and over the weekend has developed a cough. He coughs most of the night and has a runny nose. No fever. Would you keep him home or send in? He's missed alot of school already due to illness . Do I send him in but trust the teachers to send him home if needed? He had a negative covid test. I always find it hard to know with a cough/cold what to do.

He didn't finish his breakfast either.

If he's already missed a lot of school I'd probably send him in.

How is he in himself during the day?

I'd send him in. If you wanted to keep him home with every cough and runny nose, he'd never go to school 😅

How is he in himself? Usual level of playing/interacting/talking/engaging I used to send them in. Subdued and not themselves they stayed off.

If he’s well in himself I would send him in.

I have a reception age child and worry about what the right thing is to do in these situations too! I tend to go with no temperature, has eaten something, not too snotty and generally seems bouncy - can go in. But if nose constantly streaming, coughing a lot, heavy eyes and can't move - keep at home!

Agree with pp’s judge it by how he is in himself, a cough alone is not reason enough to keep
him off school.

He's a bit quiet but I know he's a bit tired . He usually perks up a bit later. I think I'll send him and if I need to pick him up then I don't mind. At least the school can see I'm making the effort.

How is he in himself?

You say he didn't eat all of his breakfast - is this normal? Will he be hungry? Is this a usual sign for your child if poorly?

How tired is he? Likely to perk up and manage a day of school activities in the classroom?

A cough alone isn't usually a need to be off school, unless they have other symptoms.

But, equally, he is still very small - a few missed days due to illness isn't an issue. This winter lots of children. And adults, have had lots of bugs and viruses and missed school and work.

Only you know if you think he's up to a day at school.

He has been playing so I think he should be OK. He usually eats everything so a bit unusual but considering he's playing I'll send him in. I'm wrapping him up extra warm for the cold tho.

I assume you've given him calpol and nurofen, so that should kick in soon and he'll feel a lot better.

I'd keep him home. Children need time to recover properly from illnesses, otherwise they stay run down and just catch everything going.

We had the rule that if you could get out of bed, get dressed and eat breakfast you went to school. It did backfire on me once or twice - DDs PE teacher brought her home and put her to bed.

Also depends on the child. DS1 (10, adores school, on Friday was bemoaning it being two whole days off for the weekend) - if he says he feels rotten he stays home. DS2 (6, would live nothing more than a day of pottering with his animals) - I take a more robust attitude and he’s never been sent home!

I tend to err on the side of caution too - if they're tired they won't learn anything anyway.

But, if he's just coughing but otherwise fine and happy to play, no temperature, I'd send him in but ask the teacher to keep an eye on him, and make it clear that I can collect him if needed.

If a child has a cough and cold and is not himself then he needs to be at home.
One day at home being cosseted will probably shorten the duration of his symptoms.
Its kinder to his teacher and class mates too.

Depends what they're like in themselves. DS is currently sat next to me coughing away, but he loves school so if he says he doesn't want to go I know he's ill.
DD is a bit trickier as she has SEN so normally complains of some ailment if the day includes P.E. or one if the other lessons she struggles with.

Thanks everyone. Always tricky. I sent him in the last 2 days but he had a temperature last night and didn't eat dinner so keeping him home today so he can rest up and recover.