Help, Ds off school again...how often does it have to be before they think I'm taking the P?

[Flllightattendant]

He's in reception and seems to have a day or two off almost every week

Last night he was coughing and that made him sick, which isn't a big deal as it always does - but he seemed hot in bed and was quite red and snuffling/moaning a bit in his sleep.

He is very coughy this morning and I can't send him in like that despite wanting to as I have a painting to finish!

Will they start getting suspicious? He only goes part time as it is. I don't want to antagonise anyone.

I must admit my daughter goes in with a cough because they all tend to have sniffs and coughs at this time of year.

I don't think the schools really monitor children's absense until they are of legal school age...so this will be dependent on your ds's birthday.

Could it be the paint that is irritating his cough?

No, it's only watercolour so far!

He's had this cough for weeks but it does seem worse. Might have to go to Dr...

Thanks

No not at all. Keep him home. Teachers won't be thankful to have a tired and unwell dc in the class.

Schools usually get concerned when attendance falls below 90% and if he's not yet five there isn't much they can say

Poor lad, he's only small. Let him recover fully and rest at home if you can. He's probably going to catch things quite often if he's just started reception but it all goes towards strengthening his immune system in the long run. Dd was off school for a total of 25 days in the first year - she just caught everything taht was going! This year she's been as fit as a fiddle up to now.

My dd had a similar number of days off school as admylin's dd - ditto in Yr1 and we were never questioned about it. Their immune system does get stronger as they get older - dd has only had 3 or 4 days off since September.

Also, as long as you are genrally punctual, no problems at school etc then I doubt they would say anything.

I think it's much better that when little ones are poorly they are at home. There's nothing worse than trying to teach when the child is feeling under the weather - they just don't want to know. It's important children build up their immune system but bugs spread and you end up with half the class off (and sometimes the staff!) just because someone has been sent to school too ill. Schools get concerned at other types of absences - no one can help being ill!

FA, my eldest was in Reception last year, and had one bug after another the entire time. It only got better just as they finished the school year!. He must have been off at least 2 weeks in every half term. I actually got a snotty note about it at the end of his otherwise excellent school report! They really can't do anything at all about it at this stage, and from speaking to teachers it's an exprected hazard of the Reception year.
This year he has been much better and so far (touch wood), he has had only 2 days absence since starting YR1 in September. His immune system is really kicking in, as are his siblings...just as well, I was going crackers last year.