Thread: Illness Policy
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:42 PM 03-01-2017
From your original post (I'm in red)...

Originally Posted by Gibson1110:
This thread has been written a million times but I need personal reassurance. I revamped my contract last summer, included a rate increase to reflect what others in my area are charging. I've had really patient families that have put up with me moving twice, surgery, and now my broken foot (more times closed than what I would have done in the past). I re wrote my illness policy to reflect symptoms but still had parents sending kids sick, so I started enforcing the rule by sending children home when they had symptoms. The symptoms would be sending with runny, excessive noses, coughing, or rashes that their doctor would explain as an allergic reaction of some kind.
*Require that the ALLERGIES be taken care of prior to admittance. I don't know of any children with allergies that still have symptoms upon finding the right medication. It might take testing out 2 or so but there's always on that works. Unless...of course...it IS NOT allergies.
Because my families were used to the old way I would deal with things, I've had two families pull care within the last two months directly related to my sickness policy. I am having a difficult time with enforcing what I feel I need to stay sane because my own stress levels are high right now and then families pulling care-I just feel like quitting. Below is what I have. Blackcat, I would love a copy of your policy if possible.

Sickness Policy
I expect you to keep your child home when they are presenting the following symptoms;
Fever of 100 degrees or more *Normal and mandated by the state where I live.
Severe diarrhea (cannot be contained by diaper or toilet) *Also normal, in order to maintain a sanitary environment.
Unexplained rash (child must have doctor’s excuse saying it is not a communicable disease) *Also normal
Vomiting *Also normal, and typically mandated by the state
Pinkeye or eye drainage *Also normal
Chicken pox- until all blisters have dried and formed scabs - I don't have this one but I do have much stricter requirements on others. I actually never thought about this one!
Sore throat or loss of voice (child must have a doctor’s excuse that it is not a communicable disease) *Makes sense!
Excessive cough *Also normal. I send home if they're coughing more than once every 15 minutes and call it a persistent cough.
Lathargy or inability to participate in the group activities for the day *Makes sense! I typically try and have a child go lay down for a bit. If they're still laying down after 15 minutes then I call.

If a child becomes ill while in my care, you will need to pick up within the hour. If you do not pick up within an hour a $20 fee will be applied to your account and will be due before services can resume.
*Normal. I have my standard $1/minute late fee after 1 hour.
If you are unable to pick up, it is your responsibility to provide an emergency contact who can. Ambulance services will provide transportation should a medical emergency arise. Parents will be notified immediately in the event of a medical emergency.

If I, or my family become sick and I am unable to provide care for that day I will notify you as soon as possible via text or phone call. You will be credited with your payment the following week for any unplanned closures unless a sick day is utilized.
As a reminder it is your responsibility to have back up care for your child in the event your child may not attend care or I need to close.

Lastly, if anyone has any advice for for feeling burnt out, I'd love to hear. I really do enjoy working directly with the children but all this nonsense with adults being difficult has become too stressful in combination with everything else I am going through that I feel I Need to stop this and do something else. Thanks for any input.

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