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Please be ok tomorrow

13 replies

Allthecake89 · 13/11/2019 21:54

My DD started school in September. She's 4.5. she had one day off on day two of a rotten cold which made her cry and stay awake all night. Another day off because she vomited a teeny amount in the car last week. I knew an hour later it was her usual travel sickness/random one of puke she does every now and then. Such a wasted day off but obviously I couldn't risk it!

She had her flu vaccination yesterday and has come home tonight with a cold and is struggling to sleep. Really can't keep her off tomorrow as it's 95% attendance or above at her school. I've worked out that's ten days max a year. Theres a high risk of stomach bugs and all-sorts yet as winter has just begun. I just feel guilty as the school's a mile walk away, it's cold and she's feeling rotten. She's only four and I hate how you can't do what's best for them because of the attendance targets. I'm terrified I'll have the school on my back soon if winter keeps knocking her down. Isn't it hard handing kids over to the education system? A few months ago I was able to let her rest when she's Ill. I know she's got to learn to function with colds but it's still horrible. I hate the idea of her feeling all hot, stuffy and sickly and being told to sit and listen etc. She also has a weak stomach and I worry so much she will throw up if she's feeling yucky. Agghhh wish me luck for morning

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BarbarAnna · 13/11/2019 21:57

But will they really do anything if a 4 year old misses their attendance target? I don’t believe my kids school would do anything at this stage. I honestly think you are overthinking it. Keep your child at home if that is the best thing for them?

Capricornandproud · 13/11/2019 22:02

Keep her home! Their first year at school is always like this as their immune systems adjust. Not a hope would I send my boy in; he missed a lot of his first year because he picked up EVERYTHING going (only child, never had any creche or childminding situ’s before starting P1).

Not a bother on him at all now and never ever misses a day. I would keep her home and not infect all the other kids, and let her rest xx

SandunesAndRainclouds · 13/11/2019 22:05

Isn’t there a ‘not yet 5 rule’? Where legally she doesn’t have to be in education until she’s 5 so attendance means precisely diddly squat?!

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PorridgeAgainAbney · 13/11/2019 22:06

DS had 6 days off sick in the first term of reception, all for an ongoing condition. Teacher mentioned it at parents evening, I smiled and said "yes he's been unlucky so far hasn't he." If they are ill they are ill, it never enters my head what the school might think if I have to keep him off.

He's not been off sick for the last year and half term so it's just luck of the draw.

WatcherintheRye · 13/11/2019 22:08

If they're ill, they're ill. You really don't have to send a sick child into school! Hope your dd is ok, but if not, keep her home to recover.

Lunafortheloveogod · 13/11/2019 22:09

She’s 4, she doesn’t have exams, revision or anything that she can’t catch back up on. 95% is a target not the only acceptable figure. Worst comes to it they’ll ask for a doctors note but surely if it’s a side effect of the jab you’ll have the appointment letter for it.. usually makes me feel crappy for a couple of days.

If she’s sick she’s sick, 10days wouldn’t work if she had chicken pox for two weeks.

StateOfMind · 13/11/2019 22:09

You can’t send a sick child to school. Keep her at home it’s she’s unwell.

Iggly · 13/11/2019 22:12

The attendance stats are more about keeping focus on those families who really don’t prioritise education.

My dd missed more than 10 days due to tonsillitis etc in her first year. It was more important to keep her home and help her recover than send her in to school when she wasn’t well enough. It was all sensible reasonable absence.

Thestrangestthing · 13/11/2019 22:12

They are not going to cart you off to jail for keeping your sick 4 year old off school. Yes you can keep her off, you are her mother Hmm

SparkyBlue · 13/11/2019 22:24

Keep her at home. Please don't send her in if she isn't well. Sometimes you have years where they catch absolutely everything and there just is nothing you can do. We had sickness in our house last December and then again in February and both children were very unwell both times.

converseandjeans · 13/11/2019 22:39

You can't send her in if she's ill. I am pretty sure that before 5 they aren't obliged to be in school FT?

Allthecake89 · 14/11/2019 11:53

Thanks she is home today. Can't be helped Confused the school seemed understand ing and told me I have nothing to worry about Smile

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lanthanum · 14/11/2019 22:47

Forget about the attendance targets. You keep your child off if they're ill and send them to school if they're well. If they fall below 95% attendance they may send you a letter to alert you to that, but that's about it unless their attendance is really poor. Statistically, very many children will fall below 95% at some stage. Mine did last year, but she's been well above every other year.

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