DT2 sent home from nursery - AIBU?

[SinkGirl]

Want to start by saying we are fully on board with self isolating when there are symptoms, and I am not angry with the nursery who I think are in a difficult position, I’m just trying to figure out what to do from here.

DTs are 3, in nursery 3 days a week. For once they actually don’t have a cold (this time of year it’s pretty constant). They both have additional needs and DT2 was awake most of the night (pretty standard for him) so I knew he was in good health as he’s been happy, bouncing, not unwell or distressed.

Dropped them off at 8am this morning. DT2 sat down for breakfast while DH was still there and coughed once. Literally, one cough. DH chatted to the staff about it - he has enlarged adenoids (we think DT1 does too and in fact have been doing sleep studies all weekend due to a longterm night cough and snoring) and he will do an occasional cough to clear his throat, but they know this as they see him all the time. DH explained that he hasn’t been coughing at all at home over the weekend, no sign of illness. No problem, they agreed he seemed fine and we left.

At 8:30 we got a call saying we needed to come and pick him up - I assumed he must have continued to cough and we rushed back ready to apologise to reiterate that he really hadn’t been unwell at all before we dropped him off.

When we arrived his keyworker apologised and said that he’d only done that one cough when we dropped him off and hadn’t coughed in the 40 mins since. However, the management had told them that any child with a cough needed to go home and stay away for 7 days. His keyworker said I should contact the manager because it was obvious he doesn’t have a cough and is not unwell but they have to follow the rules they were given. I totally understand that - they are in a tough spot.

In the 90 mins since it happened he hasn’t coughed once - he obviously doesn’t have a cough. It seems crazy to have to keep him at home for a week any time he does a single cough. I’m not sure any kid will be in the nursery for the next six months if that’s the rule.

I need to email the manager now but I’m not sure if I’m right or not - I would never send them in if unwell, especially not at the moment, but he really isn’t ill. He doesn’t have a cough.

The government guidance obviously says “new persistent cough”. The message on the nursery Facebook page says to keep them off for a temp and / or a new onset cough, but he has neither.

AIBU here? Happy to be told I am if I am. I think I’m a bit fragile as we have had an absolutely brutal week with other things and I haven’t stopped since the weekend before last (DT1 was off two of his nursery days last week due to being sick once, so I kept him off for the 48 hours as you’re supposed to, I wouldn’t send them in sick). So I’m really exhausted and may not be thinking clearly!

[SinkGirl]

I totally do appreciate they’re in a really difficult position- they’re making up new policies on the fly based on pretty useless govt advice and I totally understand the need to be cautious. I also don’t know if, had the managers been there, they would have agreed he needed to go home or whether it’s a communication issue between them and staff. I need to contact her because, assuming he is well and nurseries are still open, I’d like him to go back on Wednesday, but if a single cough or throat clearing will get him sent home again then it seems pointless! I don’t want to be adversarial though, I have complete sympathy for them.

[WinterCat]

How frustrating for you. In my experience, children have endless colds and bugs throughout the year anyway.

This leaps out at me though DH explained that he hasn’t been coughing at all at home over the weekend, no sign of illness so I wonder whether that was interpreted as he hadn’t coughed at all, therefore, this cough was new and as it was new he needed to go home.

Nurseries are in a difficult situation. They don’t have insurance to cover them if they have to close and some will likely go under so you can appreciate why they are being extra cautious right now.

[GA2012]

Seems extreme. My children’s school have stated if it a continuous cough. Like when a child can’t stop coughing. Last time Dd got a cold she had a horrid cough when she coughed all day and night. I would consider similar to this to be sent home but not one cough.

I coughed once in a. Shop yesterday to clear my throat. . It was so hot in there. My throat was dry and everyone looked at me. I understand people’s concern but we need to remember people do cough, people are still getting your average viral infections - colds, bugs etc. Dd has a snotty nose.

[MrTumblePulledAKnifeOnMe]

I'm in the same situation. DS has had a cough/snotty nose all winter, an hour after drop off on Friday I was called to pick him up. As he is pretty much always has a cough of some degree (suffers from night coughing and croup) I honestly wouldn't be able to identify a new cough in him. I fear we will be off nursery for the foreseeable future

[SinkGirl]

Thank you - I am glad I’m not being unreasonable. I wasn’t sure if my judgement was being clouded because I am so tired and in need of a rest. But a single cough is surely not evidence of illness is it?!

I agree it may well be moot soon as all settings may close - all the more reason I want them to be there while they can be as long as they are well!

[Scbchl]

Persistent is the key word they need to be applying. Surely if they sent him away you shouldnt need to pay either when he is actually not unwell.

[DesLynamsMoustache]

YANBU but 'I’m not sure any kid will be in the nursery for the next six months if that’s the rule.'

I think that's going to be the case cough or not soon anyway

[Yeyellow]

Yanbu.
So no ones allowed to clear their throats anymore by their logic?