Time off - chickenpox

[Stargirl2707]

I’m full time teacher, with a little one who’s just turned 3. I think they’re in the early stages of catching chickenpox and I’m anxious about needing to take time off. I’m sure work will be supportive, but obviously my little one will
need to stay home and can’t go to childcare for what will be the best part of a full week.
What did anyone else do? Feel it’s risky sending them to grandparents due to their own age/vulnerability.

Were your work ok? Was it unpaid leave in the end?

Do you have a partner to share the leave with? Definitely do that, it’s likely to go a long way to making work more supportive. It’s also fairer on you and sets a better example to your dc.

Different schools have different policies - dh & I are both teachers & both get 3 days paid a year for dc illness. Tbh I’d expect at least some of a full week off to be unpaid.

Hope your dc is ok and you manage to sort things out. Managing time off when the dc are ill is so stressful!

Arranging care for ill LOs is probably my least favourite thing about being a working parent. You have my absolute sympathy! All schools I’ve worked in have had a clear policy about how many days leave you can take for dependents though. It’s worth checking your contract / school policy / the burgundy book to see where you stand.

Definitely try to split the responsibility with DS’s father. Have grandparents already had chicken pox? If they have, they should be relatively safe taking care of him shouldn’t they?

No matter how much time you take off, you’ll make yourself much more popular if you set clear, easy to follow cover lessons.

I hope he’s better soon

Many years ago my daughter came down with chicken pox when we had an OFSTED inspection. My lovely, but not clued up on toddlers, brother came to my rescue. When my son came down with it a couple of weeks later, my school told me to take off as much time as I needed. They were so grateful I'd made the effort for OFSTED. Most schools I have worked in are very understanding.