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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>The Head Lice Story Part Two ... please read and give in put (long sorry)
familyschoolcare 07:00 AM 05-30-2012
... see some parents just do not like the answer .... for part 1

at pick up last night I informed DCD that over the weekend it came to my attendtion that the day care was exposed to head lice. A very intresting conversation followed.

Then ..

When I checked my E-mail this morning I got the following from DCD. As a matter of background this DCK is from a spilt home and the DCD almost never

talks to the DCM. DCM just confirmed with my last night that I will be picking DCB up today.


Dear Mrs. ******,


Thank you for informing us about Head Lice reported by one of your 'kids' at your facility over the weekend. As a precautionary measure to minimize risk

of exposure for DCB, I have decided to find an alternative means for care for him. Please consider the payment made today to be for the week upon

his return to your services rather than for next week, as it was initially written out to be.

Regards,

DCD and DCD's partner

So I have written the following E-mail in response.

Jason,

You are more than welcome to keep DCB home from Day Care. Before, you make that final decision I think you should keep the following things in mind.

1. If DCB was exposed to head lice it was last week before I was aware of the situation. There is no guarantee that this child was here at the same time and day as DCB or that the two of them interacted in a manner that would result in DCB getting infected. Now that I am aware of the situation it is under control at my house. We have seen no signs of the lice being at my house.

2. I have "dealt" with this before, both from a teacher aspect and a parents aspect and I am fully aware of what can and should be done to prevent the spread of this. The last time (before the day care was open) this came into my house it did not spread past the first "victim".

3. All of the children that come into and my house attend a public school and that is most likely where it is coming from.

4. As per your contract you must pay me regardless of the reason that Gavin does not attend. See quote below.

"This is a guaranteed rate, with no credit for non-attendance regardless of reason. Payments are due on Fridays for the following week."

5. If you break the contract by not paying me then our contract is no longer in effect. Which means I will not hold DCB's spot in my Day care and upon your return you would need to sign a new contract which could be subject to this years higher rates.

Please let me know what you final decision is.

Do you think my response is harsh?
Reply
JenNJ 07:07 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
... see some parents just do not like the answer .... for part 1

at pick up last night I informed DCD that over the weekend it came to my attendtion that the day care was exposed to head lice. A very intresting conversation followed.

Then ..

When I checked my E-mail this morning I got the following from DCD. As a matter of background this DCK is from a spilt home and the DCD almost never

talks to the DCM. DCM just confirmed with my last night that I will be picking DCB up today.


Dear Mrs. ******,


Thank you for informing us about Head Lice reported by one of your 'kids' at your facility over the weekend. As a precautionary measure to minimize risk

of exposure for Gavin, I have decided to find an alternative means for care for him. Please consider the payment made today to be for the week upon

his return to your services rather than for next week, as it was initially written out to be.

Regards,

DCD and DCD's partner

So I have written the following E-mail in response.

Jason,

You are more than welcome to keep Gavin home from Day Care. Before, you make that final decision I think you should keep the following things in mind.

1. If Gavin was exposed to head lice it was last week before I was aware of the situation. There is no guarantee that this child was here at the same time and day as Gavin or that the two of them interacted in a manner that would result in Gavin getting infected. Now that I am aware of the situation it is under control at my house. We have seen no signs of the lice being at my house.

2. I have "dealt" with this before, both from a teacher aspect and a parents aspect and I am fully aware of what can and should be done to prevent the spread of this. The last time (before the day care was open) this came into my house it did not spread past the first "victim".

3. All of the children that come into and my house attend a public school and that is most likely where it is coming from.

4. As per your contract you must pay me regardless of the reason that Gavin does not attend. See quote below.

"This is a guaranteed rate, with no credit for non-attendance regardless of reason. Payments are due on Fridays for the following week."

5. If you break the contract by not paying me then our contract is no longer in effect. Which means I will not hold Gavin's spot in my Day care and upon your return you would need to sign a new contract which could be subject to this years higher rates.

Please let me know what you final decision is.

Do you think my response is harsh?
Nope. It was a factual response with no emotion. Perfect for the situation.
Reply
DaisyMamma 07:13 AM 05-30-2012
Looks good to me. I would've done almost the same, however, I would consider breaking the contract grounds for termination and no option for return.
Reply
Willow 07:13 AM 05-30-2012
Lice IS highly contagious. Whether you've got a grip on it or not doesn't change that fact.


I don't think it's fair to force a parent to pay if they choose to keep their child home out of fear of threat of a communicable parasite -or- force them to go to your home and continue to subject that child to the risk.

Neither would be an acceptable option for me.

I realize it came from your child's school, is not your fault, and you're doing all you can but this isn't the parents fault either and you're essentially punishing them either way they decide for a situation they didn't create or have anything to do with.
Reply
littlemissmuffet 07:29 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I don't think it's fair to force a parent to pay if they choose to keep their child home out of fear of threat of a communicable parasite -or- force them to go to your home and continue to subject that child to the risk.
In my daycare, it doesn't matter why your child isn't here - you are paying me to hold their space. It isn't a matter of forcing a parent to do anything - it's a matter of parents who don't read/understand their contracts before signing them or thinking they are the exception to the rule for some reason
Reply
Willow 07:33 AM 05-30-2012
To those that think that sort of response is perfectly acceptable, do you always require payment if parents choose not to expose their kids to something communicable literally right there in your daycares?

If a kid comes in with rotovirus you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

If they're vomiting you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

Influenza?

TB?

Ringworm?

Coxsackie?

Chicken Pox?

If the child in question cannot be quarantined from the rest of the group because it's literally the providers child and the affliction inside the home what else is a parent to do?

Do you seriously say tough beans? Bring your kid or pay up anyway even though you have to pay someone else for alternative care to keep your own child disease/illness/parasite free?

To me this isn't about money, or policy, it's purely about ethics. It would be RIDICULOUSLY unethical to stick parents in that position.



DaisyMamma - you'd put in an option to terminate THEM?? I cannot tell you how floored I was to read that....just...straight unbelievably shocked and literally horrified. As a parent ***I*** would absolutely terminate contract if that was the rock and a hard place a provider presented and attitude they had.

Seriously. Just wow....
Reply
familyschoolcare 07:33 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Lice IS highly contagious. Whether you've got a grip on it or not doesn't change that fact.


I don't think it's fair to force a parent to pay if they choose to keep their child home out of fear of threat of a communicable parasite -or- force them to go to your home and continue to subject that child to the risk.

Neither would be an acceptable option for me.

I realize it came from your child's school, is not your fault, and you're doing all you can but this isn't the parents fault either and you're essentially punishing them either way they decide for a situation they didn't create or have anything to do with.
Intresting input

FYI here the middles schools do nothing about a head lice exposure untill they see a "pattern" or atleast %10 of the school is infeasted. Also, in acordance with santa clara health department guidlines they do not send children home, they simply inform parents at the end of the day.

You in put does give a different side of the story. I just do not see how keeping a child home from day care will help. Given that said child will stil come to day care 1/2 of the week and still attend school.
Reply
Willow 07:34 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
In my daycare, it doesn't matter why your child isn't here - you are paying me to hold their space. It isn't a matter of forcing a parent to do anything - it's a matter of parents who don't read/understand their contracts before signing them or thinking they are the exception to the rule for some reason

Even when their space isn't available due to a COMMUNICABLE PARASITE???
Reply
familyschoolcare 07:38 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
To those that think that sort of response is perfectly acceptable, do you always require payment if parents choose not to expose their kids to something communicable literally right there in your daycares?

If a kid comes in with rotovirus you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

If they're vomiting you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

Influenza?

TB?

Ringworm?

Coxsackie?

Chicken Pox?

If the child in question cannot be quarantined from the rest of the group because it's literally the providers child and the affliction inside the home what else is a parent to do?

Do you seriously say tough beans? Bring your kid or pay up anyway even though you have to pay someone else for alternative care to keep your own child disease/illness/parasite free?

To me this isn't about money, or policy, it's purely about ethics. It would be RIDICULOUSLY unethical to stick parents in that position.



DaisyMamma - you'd put in an option to terminate THEM?? I cannot tell you how floored I was to read that....just...straight unbelievably shocked and literally horrified. As a parent ***I*** would absolutely terminate contract if that was the rock and a hard place a provider presented and attitude they had.

Seriously. Just wow....
The difference here is the things you listed place a health risk to people that get it and lice does not. Which is why as per the santa clara county health department guidlines the schools here do not send children home for this they simply inform then at the end of the day.
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Willow 07:43 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
Intresting input

FYI here the middles schools do nothing about a head lice exposure untill they see a "pattern" or atleast %10 of the school is infeasted. Also, in acordance with santa clara health department guidlines they do not send children home, they simply inform parents at the end of the day.

You in put does give a different side of the story. I just do not see how keeping a child home from day care will help. Given that said child will stil come to day care 1/2 of the week and still attend school.

I'm glad you're staying open minded.


Schools here (both where we lived before and where we live now) notify parents immediately both with an automated phone call AND with notes sent home from school if a single child is found to have it in the class room.

School nurse does daily checks of every child in that particular classroom until it's cleared as well as a single sweep of the entire school to identify if it's spread. Kids are sent home immediately if even so much as a single nit is found for a minimum of 48 hours and there has to be proof of treatment before they're allowed back.


It doesn't gross me out, and I get that it happens. 1st grade year school nurse sent my daughter home because of two measly nits and she was required to stay home for the required two days. It didn't bother me in the least if it meant keeping her from exposing it to other kids. I told my daycare parents and let them decide what they felt comfortable with. I'd NEVER force them to bring their kids into my home knowing what was going on or force them to pay (potentially losing their spot in my daycare if they decided to be cautious).


The word here is COMMUNICABLE. No different than if you said "Sure! Daycare kid who has Influenza A can attend, all other parents better bring their kids to play in his same space or pay up if they'd prefer to keep their child away until the threat passes."

There is no such universe in which that would ever make a stitch of sense to me.
Reply
MN Day Mom 07:43 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Even when their space isn't available due to a COMMUNICABLE PARASITE???
The space IS AVAILABLE. The parent is choosing not to use the space. It is only lice, it does not create or cause a health risk, just an annoyance.
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Willow 07:47 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
The difference here is the things you listed place a health risk to people that get it and lice does not. Which is why as per the santa clara county health department guidlines the schools here do not send children home for this they simply inform then at the end of the day.
Yikes.

I would not be ok with my kids' school system handling lice that way. No wonder your daughter has suffered from it multiple times. Poor kiddo

I would not be ok with having to completely deep clean/quarantine every soft surface of my home just because the school choose to take a lackadaisical attitude toward it. In fact, I'd probably be pretty ticked off! Especially having my daycare, that's a whole lot of cleaning to do!


Doesn't it make you mad you have to keep doing all that???
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Blackcat31 07:49 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Even when their space isn't available due to a COMMUNICABLE PARASITE???
I read the situation to mean the space IS available but the parent is choosing to stay home. There is a case of lice but the children have NOT been exposed directly to it. The provider is simply informing the parent that there has been a case. Not that their child HAS come into contact with it.

The parent is choosing to keep the child home even though his space is aviablable, NOT being forced to pay when there is no space to pay for.

I have extensive experience and training in lice and it's removal due to a previous place of employment and lice is contagious when a person comes into direct contact with items, people and places where there are live nits, eggs and bugs. (Contrary to popular belief, lice do NOT jump or fly.) Others aren't going to get it if the provider performs the required activites to eradicate the nits, eggs and bugs and is diligent in checking everyone upon admittance into care.

http://headlicecenter.com/
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Unregistered 07:49 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I'm glad you're staying open minded.


Schools here (both where we lived before and where we live now) notify parents immediately both with an automated phone call AND with notes sent home from school if a single child is found to have it in the class room.

School nurse does daily checks of every child in that particular classroom until it's cleared as well as a single sweep of the entire school to identify if it's spread. Kids are sent home immediately if even so much as a single nit is found for a minimum of 48 hours and there has to be proof of treatment before they're allowed back.


It doesn't gross me out, and I get that it happens. 1st grade year school nurse sent my daughter home because of two measly nits and she was required to stay home for the required two days. It didn't bother me in the least if it meant keeping her from exposing it to other kids. I told my daycare parents and let them decide what they felt comfortable with. I'd NEVER force them to bring their kids into my home knowing what was going on or force them to pay (potentially losing their spot in my daycare if they decided to be cautious).


The word here is COMMUNICABLE. No different than if you said "Sure! Daycare kid who has Influenza A can attend, all other parents better bring their kids to play in his same space or pay up if they'd prefer to keep their child away until the threat passes."

There is no such universe in which that would ever make a stitch of sense to me.

Lice is not the same as the flu. Lice are a public health neucsance not a health issue...unless you are allergic to them.

I'd charge for the space too.

Kids get lice....it sucks but it happens. DCD is not going to do
well when his little one hits school with that heavy handed over reaction.
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Willow 07:54 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by MN Day Mom:
The space IS AVAILABLE. The parent is choosing not to use the space. It is only lice, it does not create or cause a health risk, just an annoyance.
Not a health risk? Just an annoyance?

Because they don't bite and cause infection...or spread like wildfire.....


You wouldn't believe how bad lice can get until you saw the shaved completely ulcerated and infected head of a toddler....multiple times.
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Blackcat31 07:55 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:

The word here is COMMUNICABLE. No different than if you said "Sure! Daycare kid who has Influenza A can attend, all other parents better bring their kids to play in his same space or pay up if they'd prefer to keep their child away until the threat passes."

There is no such universe in which that would ever make a stitch of sense to me.
I totally see your point but children are exposed to hundreds and thousands of things everyday in every place a parent, teacher, friend or guardian takes them. If someone at McDonald's has somehting, how do we KNOW that the child playing next to him doesn't have it too? We don't, so I think that what this provider is doing is the right thing. We cannot shield our kids from everything so we do the best we can.

Parents don't inform us of every little thing their child came in contact with at Wal-mart or anywhere else they go because there is NO WAY they could so who really knows what kind of communicable things get passed around and how.

It isn't like we can tell parents they can't bring their child to the grocery store in case they might pick up something super contagious. This is the same line of thinking as the sibling clause where if one kid is sick the other has to stay home too.....I personally just don't see how that can work when not everyone gets the same illnesses and people can be carriers without ever being sick.

Impossible to predict or tell who has and who hasn't, so the space is available and you pay for it whether you use it or not. If they weren't comfortable with that rule, they should never have agreed to sign it in the first place.
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Willow 08:02 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
There is a case of lice but the children have NOT been exposed directly to it. The provider is simply informing the parent that there has been a case. Not that their child HAS come into contact with it.
How do you figure?

It's the providers child which means the entire house has been exposed.



Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have extensive experience and training in lice and it's removal due to a previous place of employment and lice is contagious when a person comes into direct contact with items, people and places where there are live nits, eggs and bugs. (Contrary to popular belief, lice do NOT jump or fly.) Others aren't going to get it if the provider performs the required activites to eradicate the nits, eggs and bugs and is diligent in checking everyone upon admittance into care.

http://headlicecenter.com/

To say I too have "extensive experience and training in live and it's removal" too almost makes me laugh lol. Almost every single one of my foster children (14 total in the span of the last 6 years) has come with a case ranging from minor to severe. I've been down this road far too many times to even want to be reminded of...

If a kid in my home has it, my home has it too. Or at least that's how I believe the situation should be handled. I would never declare my home eradicated in a days time. More like a week, and that's IF after multiple head and house checks I find no more evidence of infestation.


I guess we have simply reached different conclusions.
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familyschoolcare 08:05 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I'm glad you're staying open minded.


Schools here (both where we lived before and where we live now) notify parents immediately both with an automated phone call AND with notes sent home from school if a single child is found to have it in the class room.

School nurse does daily checks of every child in that particular classroom until it's cleared as well as a single sweep of the entire school to identify if it's spread. Kids are sent home immediately if even so much as a single nit is found for a minimum of 48 hours and there has to be proof of treatment before they're allowed back.


It doesn't gross me out, and I get that it happens. 1st grade year school nurse sent my daughter home because of two measly nits and she was required to stay home for the required two days. It didn't bother me in the least if it meant keeping her from exposing it to other kids. I told my daycare parents and let them decide what they felt comfortable with. I'd NEVER force them to bring their kids into my home knowing what was going on or force them to pay (potentially losing their spot in my daycare if they decided to be cautious).


The word here is COMMUNICABLE. No different than if you said "Sure! Daycare kid who has Influenza A can attend, all other parents better bring their kids to play in his same space or pay up if they'd prefer to keep their child away until the threat passes."

There is no such universe in which that would ever make a stitch of sense to me.
If the schools here took this aprouch then I would feel and think differently about what I should do. Howeve, the fact is here in Santa Clara county child will get exposed to lice at school and the county has decied that is ok and is better than children missing school because of something that is not a health risk.

FYI--from the parent point of view on my side this is very fustrating because I can only do so much to keep my own child from getting it because she will be exposed to it at school.
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MarinaVanessa 08:08 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Lice IS highly contagious. Whether you've got a grip on it or not doesn't change that fact.


I don't think it's fair to force a parent to pay if they choose to keep their child home out of fear of threat of a communicable parasite -or- force them to go to your home and continue to subject that child to the risk.

Neither would be an acceptable option for me.

I realize it came from your child's school, is not your fault, and you're doing all you can but this isn't the parents fault either and you're essentially punishing them either way they decide for a situation they didn't create or have anything to do with.
But it isn't punishing at all, at least I don't see it that way. My policies are very similar in the sense that tuition is based on enrollment and not on attendance. If any child misses daycare for any reason whether illness, personal etc. there is no credit or reimbursement for that day. I do not charge by the day, it is a weekly rate and many providers choose to do it this way as well. If this policy is in the contract and the parents are aware and have signed the contract then it is their obligation to follow through with the agreement that they chose to sign and you can't punish someone by enforcing policies that they agreed to follow KWIM? That being said, I am sure that if the parents want to to they can look for childcare arrangements that do give credit for days missed.

Back to the OP. The letter good although I would have personally "softened it up" a little bit. To me it does sound a little harsh and I would have made the following minor tweaks.

[Beginning of letter]

Jason,

You are more than welcome to keep Gavin home from Day Care. Before, you make that final decision I think you should keep the following things in consideration.

1. If Gavin was exposed to head lice it was last week before I was aware of the situation. There is no guarantee that this child was here at the same time and day as Gavin or that the two of them interacted in a manner that would result in Gavin getting infected. Preventative measures are already in place for this situation and for other communicable diseases to prevent this sort of thing from spreading and now that I am aware of the situation I have taken measures to ensure that no other children are carriers and we have seen no signs of the lice being at my house.

2. I have dealt with this issue before, both from a teacher and a parents aspect, and I am aware of what can be done to prevent further infection. The last time I was faced with this issue (before the day care was open) it did not spread past the initial carrier.

3. All of the children that come into and my house attend a public school and that is most likely where the infected child contracted the lice and the school also has a protocol in place to reduce and prevent the further spread of lice.

I understand your concern from a parent's perspective and I respect your decision to keep Gavin home. I must remind you that as per ourcontract agreement your rate is paid weekly and is based on enrollment not on attendance and so any days missed are not deducted from the weekly fee. Our contract agreement states:

"This is a guaranteed rate, with no credit for non-attendance regardless of reason. Payments are due on Fridays for the following week."

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you have any more questions or concerns or if you decide to have Gavin attend afterall please don't hesitate to contact me.

[end if letter]

I took out #5 entirely because I thought it was going somewhere that it didn't need to go yet (cross that bridge when it comes sort of thing). If they bring up the "paying for the day that my child missed" again then you can address and remind them of #5 if it seems like they really don't want to pay for this day.

I suppose that for me my stance is that we as providers know what our policies are but most parents don't know or remember them all. Sometimes the parents try to pull a fast on on us but they are testing the boundaries and a simple courteous but firm reminder of the policies is all it takes to show them that you will not bend your policies KWIM? For me anyway, the letter in the OP sounded a little harsh and forceful which can sometimes create a bigger conflict (from a parent feeling attacked) when being firm yet polite can prevent and defuse these situations. But again, that's just me and that's just the way that I do things .

Good luck and don't forget to keep us posted.
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Willow 08:12 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I totally see your point but children are exposed to hundreds and thousands of things everyday in every place a parent, teacher, friend or guardian takes them. If someone at McDonald's has somehting, how do we KNOW that the child playing next to him doesn't have it too? We don't, so I think that what this provider is doing is the right thing. We cannot shield our kids from everything so we do the best we can.

Parents don't inform us of every little thing their child came in contact with at Wal-mart or anywhere else they go because there is NO WAY they could so who really knows what kind of communicable things get passed around and how.

The difference here is just that - that provider *knows* and the parents in those hypotheticals don't.

I'm not at all suggesting kids should live in bubbles, but when you're running a daycare preventing the spread of communicables should be a priority. Whether they are considered a mere nuisance or a major health threat, parents don't send their kids to daycare to bring home bugs of any kind any more than kids should be sent with the ability to bring them in.

The door should absolutely swing both ways.

Unless you as a provider are willing to take a child with an active head infestation (being treated or not) then you should also be understanding of why a parent shouldn't want to expose their child to that situation. You don't want your home and other kids exposed to it, they don't want theirs.




Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If they weren't comfortable with that rule, they should never have agreed to sign it in the first place.
Weren't comfortable with what rule? OP is just came up with this new policy last night I believe it was? Or at least the way it reads. As far as I know there wasn't any kind of lice policy stating a kid must continue to come even if the house has been exposed or pay if parents choose to keep them away until the threat passes.

OP, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
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Crystal 08:16 AM 05-30-2012
While I think Dad is overreacting, I totally see Willow's point here. It IS the provider's child who has it....I imagine her child spends time in every part of the house and around the DCK as well....so they and the house have all been exposed to it.

As a provider, I would NEVER follow the school's line of handling this, as the OP feels is okay. I work for a profit.....my livelihood is at risk if I allow things like head lice to become an issue.....The school and the teachers aren't making a profit, they have, really, no vested interest in ensuring that headlice is not an issue. UNLESS they send the child home and don't allow them to come unless nit free.....because they only get paid if the child is in attendance.....so, of course, it is in the school's best interest to allow the child to stay.
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MarinaVanessa 08:22 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Weren't comfortable with what rule? OP is just came up with this new policy last night I believe it was? Or at least the way it reads. As far as I know there wasn't any kind of lice policy stating a kid must continue to come even if the house has been exposed or pay if parents choose to keep them away until the threat passes.

OP, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
I am not the OP but I believe this is what you are referencing:
Originally Posted by :
4. As per your contract you must pay me regardless of the reason that Gavin does not attend. See quote below.

"This is a guaranteed rate, with no credit for non-attendance regardless of reason. Payments are due on Fridays for the following week."
There is already a rule in place that states that the client must pay their weekly rate in full regardless of attendance or reason for absences. This is what the parents chose to sign and so they must abide by their choice to agree to the providers policies. This is in their contract already, not just something that she made up recently.

I think this is the point that Blackcat is trying to make.

Edited to Add: That being said, it is a difficult position to be placed in when you are a provider and it is your own child that has a symptom for exclusion. When my own children have been sick and have symptoms for exclusion I take preventative measures that go as far as my DH taking time off from work and he and my sick child(ren) being quarantined upstairs. None of them come into contact with me or any of the DC space or children/parents and that includes not coming downstairs at all for any reason including my DH. I cook for them, leave the meals at the top of the stairs, they eat it and place the dishes back, I collect them and wash them, wash my hands very well etc and I sleep downstairs and away from the quaranteened members of my family (I had to do this less than a year ago when my DS contracted HFMD). I also clean and disinfect everything including furniture, surfaces and toys. All soft toys, pillows, area rugs and blankets etc get washed each day etc. If it were lice I would do the same thing, if however I didn't have the option of DH staying with my sick child(ren) or of keeping them quarantined then I would close my DC until my child was well again and no longer contageous. For me I can always take up to 5 paid personal sick/personal days off to do this (but I have never used these days), if I had to stay closed longer than 5 days then I personally wouldn't charge my clients for these additional days.
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Lilbutterflie 08:29 AM 05-30-2012
There are two very valid sides to this argument.

However, I think it all comes down to the OPs contract. Her contract states the parent pays for days that are not attended NO MATTER the reason. Therefore, I think the parent is still obligated to pay if they CHOOSE to keep their child home.

As for the letter, I think MarinaVanessa gave excellent advice and I too agree the original was a little harsh. I love her letter, it still gives the same valid points but it softens it up a bit.
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Blackcat31 08:30 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
How do you figure?

It's the providers child which means the entire house has been exposed.


I figure because the OP said "1. If DCB was exposed to head lice it was last week before I was aware of the situation. There is no guarantee that this child was here at the same time and day as DCB or that the two of them interacted in a manner that would result in DCB getting infected. Now that I am aware of the situation it is under control at my house. We have seen no signs of the lice being at my house."

I can only go by the info she gives.


To say I too have "extensive experience and training in live and it's removal" too almost makes me laugh lol.

Sorry, but I am offended that you think I am being funny as I am not.

I have taken (more than once) an in-depth training certification course given by our local health department that trains us to check, identify and treat cases of lice properly. All of which credit (and a certificate) of this training is given. While working at Head Start we were exposed to some nasty situations, so I also think actual experience says alot as well.

At no time, did I make light of your comments, statements or knowledge.


Almost every single one of my foster children (14 total in the span of the last 6 years) has come with a case ranging from minor to severe. I've been down this road far too many times to even want to be reminded of...

I am quit familiar with the situations that foster children can bring into a home since I was raised with foster children as my parents were licensed foster parents for over 30 years and was a foster parent myself for a short time. Coupled with my 2 decades in child care as well as my years working in Head Start and with the Guardian Ad Litem agency, I too, have been down this road many many times as well.

If a kid in my home has it, my home has it too. Or at least that's how I believe the situation should be handled. I would never declare my home eradicated in a days time. More like a week, and that's IF after multiple head and house checks I find no more evidence of infestation.


I guess we have simply reached different conclusions.
Yes, I guess we have simply reached different conclusions which is a wonderful example of how there is a good fit for every family.

Child care providers all have the right to operate differently and in whatever manner works best for them.

Point being, the OP in this situation charges for space, whether the child uses it or not so the parent should have to pay.
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familyschoolcare 08:39 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
But it isn't punishing at all, at least I don't see it that way. My policies are very similar in the sense that tuition is based on enrollment and not on attendance. If any child misses daycare for any reason whether illness, personal etc. there is no credit or reimbursement for that day. I do not charge by the day, it is a weekly rate and many providers choose to do it this way as well. If this policy is in the contract and the parents are aware and have signed the contract then it is their obligation to follow through with the agreement that they chose to sign and you can't punish someone by enforcing policies that they agreed to follow KWIM? That being said, I am sure that if the parents want to to they can look for childcare arrangements that do give credit for days missed.

Back to the OP. The letter good although I would have personally "softened it up" a little bit. To me it does sound a little harsh and I would have made the following minor tweaks.

[Beginning of letter]

Jason,

You are more than welcome to keep Gavin home from Day Care. Before, you make that final decision I think you should keep the following things in consideration.

1. If Gavin was exposed to head lice it was last week before I was aware of the situation. There is no guarantee that this child was here at the same time and day as Gavin or that the two of them interacted in a manner that would result in Gavin getting infected. Preventative measures are already in place for this situation and for other communicable diseases to prevent this sort of thing from spreading and now that I am aware of the situation I have taken measures to ensure that no other children are carriers and we have seen no signs of the lice being at my house.

2. I have dealt with this issue before, both from a teacher and a parents aspect, and I am aware of what can be done to prevent further infection. The last time I was faced with this issue (before the day care was open) it did not spread past the initial carrier.

3. All of the children that come into and my house attend a public school and that is most likely where the infected child contracted the lice and the school also has a protocol in place to reduce and prevent the further spread of lice.

I understand your concern from a parent's perspective and I respect your decision to keep Gavin home. I must remind you that as per ourcontract agreement your rate is paid weekly and is based on enrollment not on attendance and so any days missed are not deducted from the weekly fee. Our contract agreement states:

"This is a guaranteed rate, with no credit for non-attendance regardless of reason. Payments are due on Fridays for the following week."

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you have any more questions or concerns or if you decide to have Gavin attend afterall please don't hesitate to contact me.

[end if letter]

I took out #5 entirely because I thought it was going somewhere that it didn't need to go yet (cross that bridge when it comes sort of thing). If they bring up the "paying for the day that my child missed" again then you can address and remind them of #5 if it seems like they really don't want to pay for this day.

I suppose that for me my stance is that we as providers know what our policies are but most parents don't know or remember them all. Sometimes the parents try to pull a fast on on us but they are testing the boundaries and a simple courteous but firm reminder of the policies is all it takes to show them that you will not bend your policies KWIM? For me anyway, the letter in the OP sounded a little harsh and forceful which can sometimes create a bigger conflict (from a parent feeling attacked) when being firm yet polite can prevent and defuse these situations. But again, that's just me and that's just the way that I do things .

Good luck and don't forget to keep us posted.
Thank you for your in put and I have already made most of the changes to the letter/E-mail.

Just because I am enjoying the conversation this has started the two major things I was not comfortable saying was

1. "the school also has a protocol in place to reduce and prevent the further spread of lice"

Because, I do not consider the way the school handels this to be preventing the spread I actualy think the school is helping to spread it.

2. "I understand your concern from a parent's perspective"

Because, I do not understand his concern children get headlice and other things, it is part of being a child.


Any way with all that being said if anyone has any other constructive in put about the letter itself please give it soon as I will soon be sending it out via E-mail will send it certified mail if I have not gotten a response by 9:00 Am on Friday.
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Willow 08:40 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I am not the OP but I believe this is what you are referencing:


There is already a rule in place that states that the client must pay their weekly rate in full regardless of attendance or reason for absences. This si what the parents chose to sign and so they must abide by their choice to agree to the providers policies. This is in their contract already, not just something that she made up recently.

Again, I think it's an issue of ethics and common sense.

As a parent I would never assume that policy would apply to a situation like this.

Every morning I am required to make sure my house is suitable to provide care. In the case of lice, it wouldn't be suitable, and parents shouldn't be penalized for that.

Unless there was a specific lice policy in place I couldn't imagine being forced (and I'll continue to use that word as that's exactly how I see it as would parents with any sort of budgeted income) to either bring my child and risk exposure or pay someone else to watch them while also having to pay the original providers home, that I would for the time being, deem unavailable until the house and occupants have been cleared of the parasites.


No different than if the provider came down with some other sort of communicable something or other. But I also refuse to charge for time I'm not actually working, so that could be where that line of thinking comes from.
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familyschoolcare 08:44 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Again, I think it's an issue of ethics and common sense.

As a parent I would never assume that policy would apply to a situation like this.

Every morning I am required to make sure my house is suitable to provide care. In the case of lice, it wouldn't be suitable, and parents shouldn't be penalized for that.

Unless there was a specific lice policy in place I couldn't imagine being forced (and I'll continue to use that word as that's exactly how I see it as would parents with any sort of budgeted income) to either bring my child and risk exposure or pay someone else to watch them while also having to pay the original providers home, that I would for the time being, deem unavailable until the house and occupants have been cleared of the parasites.


No different than if the provider came down with some other sort of communicable something or other. But I also refuse to charge for time I'm not actually working, so that could be where that line of thinking comes from.
What???

What is not suitablenfor my house to provide child care.

Maybe you missed to key points here.

I was not aware of the situation untill the weekend when no daycare children where here and the house was cleaned and all preventaive messure taken under the old guidlines to prevent the spread.

FYI the new guidlines for a school or day care center (not a family home) is to do nothing because the lice can not live with out a host form more then 48 hours and since the children are gone from more than that every weekend not cleaning is needed.
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Willow 08:53 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Sorry, but I am offended that you think I am being funny as I am not.

I never said I thought you were being funny. Nor did I think you were making light of what I'd gone through.

All I said was:

"To say I too have "extensive experience and training in live and it's removal" too almost makes me laugh lol."


Recalling what I went through with the kids that came in with it, with my own kids in preventing the spread to them, with what I had to do with my home to keep everyone free of it, with how I had to handle visitors, and those that handled the kids in my care outside of our home...I *have* to laugh. If I didn't I'd cry. It's an incredibly overwhelming thing to recall.

I lived and breathed it plenty enough to ever want to take any sort of class on it, although I'm glad there are others that do. They're exactly who prevent the spread and the exact situations in the past I'd just as soon forget! Bless your heart! (no joke, anything and anyone to keep it from getting back into my house...) I just choose to look back and make light of those times rather than let the memories upset me is all.
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Willow 09:06 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
What???

What is not suitablenfor my house to provide child care.

Maybe you missed to key points here.

I was not aware of the situation untill the weekend when no daycare children where here and the house was cleaned and all preventaive messure taken under the old guidlines to prevent the spread.

FYI the new guidlines for a school or day care center (not a family home) is to do nothing because the lice can not live with out a host form more then 48 hours and since the children are gone from more than that every weekend not cleaning is needed.


I'm not sure what guidelines you're referring to.

I prefer to reference the CDC for national guidelines over county ones as I tend to take a conservative route for treatment of all communicables.

They certainly don't recommend doing NOTHING. Not only do they recommend treatment but REtreatment as well as no one anti-parasitic is completely ovicidal. Treatment needs to be spread out over the course of a couple of days.

If you're interested:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/he...als/index.html


Although they don't support "no-nit" policies in schools they are obviously strong advocates for taking a hard line on treatment and preventing the spread.
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MarinaVanessa 09:11 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
Thank you for your in put and I have already made most of the changes to the letter/E-mail.

Just because I am enjoying the conversation this has started the two major things I was not comfortable saying was

1. "the school also has a protocol in place to reduce and prevent the further spread of lice"

Because, I do not consider the way the school handels this to be preventing the spread I actualy think the school is helping to spread it.

2. "I understand your concern from a parent's perspective"

Because, I do not understand his concern children get headlice and other things, it is part of being a child.


Any way with all that being said if anyone has any other constructive in put about the letter itself please give it soon as I will soon be sending it out via E-mail will send it certified mail if I have not gotten a response by 9:00 Am on Friday.
I can see why you are not comfortable with #1 because obviously your schools don't handle lice the same way that schools in my area handle them. Here too if one child is seen "scratching" they are sent to the nurses office for a private lice check. If lice is found the child stays in the office and a parent is called and the child stays home for a mandatory 48 hours. The other children in the class are then checked one by one using the same process. If more than one child in the class has it, all parents get a letter. If more than one child has lice in two different classrooms then the whole school gets a note. Infested children must go into the office for another check the first day after the 48 hours to make sure that the lice and nits are gone etc.

Maybe instead of adding the stuff about the school you can insert information about what measures you have taken to ensure that there are no lice in your home like vacuumed/shampooed all soft furniture like chairs and sofas. Wiped down, dusted and disinfected all surfaces and hard toys. Laundered all area rugs, bedding, plush animals, curtains, laundry and pillows in hot water and dried in high heat for a minimum of 50 minutes. Sprayed mattresses and large furniture with lice spray (don't forget about your vehicles). Steam cleaned the carpet. Treated DS with lice shampoo with 2 treatments, checked and combed DS's hair several times a day to ensure that there are no more lice etc.

As for #2 just keep in mind that all you're really saying is that you understand that they have a need to feel like they have a right to keep their child home, which they do. That's all you're saying. You're not agreeing to their choice, you are just acknowledging that they have a right to do as they wish (keep their child home). You have already addressed in your note that they aren't going to get a "break" in the weekly fee.
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familyschoolcare 09:25 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I'm not sure what guidelines you're referring to.

I prefer to reference the CDC for national guidelines over county ones as I tend to take a conservative route for treatment of all communicables.

They certainly don't recommend doing NOTHING. Not only do they recommend treatment but REtreatment as well as no one anti-parasitic is completely ovicidal. Treatment needs to be spread out over the course of a couple of days.

If you're interested:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/he...als/index.html


Although they don't support "no-nit" policies in schools they are obviously strong advocates for taking a hard line on treatment and preventing the spread.
I am aware of the nation; guidelines howver, the schools do not follow them
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familyschoolcare 09:29 AM 05-30-2012
So I am getting ready to send the E-mail and then I have some things to take care of for my family before I pick DCK up today. I will keep everyone posted any updates.
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small_steps 09:46 AM 05-30-2012
I agree with the majority here that he is paying for a space and not the actual attendance of the child. Most daycare's that I know of would still charge in this case. In my opinion if you were to allow him to get away with this what's to say he won't come back and say this again when one of your other daycare children has a stomach bug or anything for that matter. For example: DCB goes home and says "Anna threw up today and teacher sent her home"...dad could email you and say "my sons staying home today and tomorrow because I don't want him exposed to what little Anna had and what seems to be going around at the daycare. Can you credit me 2 days for next week since I'm keeping him home for the next 2 days due to your him being exposed to a stomach bug in your home".

There has to be a line drawn. He doesn't even know that it's your child correct? He assumes its a daycare kid. That would be my biggest worry. And children are exposed to things everywhere. I'm glad you changed the note up but I still think you're doing the right thing. Good luck
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My3cents 09:53 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
To those that think that sort of response is perfectly acceptable, do you always require payment if parents choose not to expose their kids to something communicable literally right there in your daycares?

If a kid comes in with rotovirus you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

If they're vomiting you send them home right? Why? Because they can infect others.

Influenza?

TB?

Ringworm?

Coxsackie?

Chicken Pox?

If the child in question cannot be quarantined from the rest of the group because it's literally the providers child and the affliction inside the home what else is a parent to do?

Do you seriously say tough beans? Bring your kid or pay up anyway even though you have to pay someone else for alternative care to keep your own child disease/illness/parasite free?

To me this isn't about money, or policy, it's purely about ethics. It would be RIDICULOUSLY unethical to stick parents in that position.



DaisyMamma - you'd put in an option to terminate THEM?? I cannot tell you how floored I was to read that....just...straight unbelievably shocked and literally horrified. As a parent ***I*** would absolutely terminate contract if that was the rock and a hard place a provider presented and attitude they had.

Seriously. Just wow....
Willow-

Most daycares- the parents pay if the child is in attendance or not. The provider needs to be able to anticipate a weekly income- The provider is providing a service and is open no matter if the child is there or not. This is good business practice. In answer to your question, yes I charge if the parent decides to keep the child home, or if I send the child home sick.

Lice is different then a disease that will make you sick. Keeping your child home because she might get it.......come on. You might get all those illness's just walking into your local wal-mart- should you stay home forever? This provider has assured her client that the situation is under control- but to be on the look out just in case. The client should trust her provider and go from there. If Lice was rapid in the house and on the kids- the provider would shut down and take precautions to do what needs to be done.

Be nice to your fellow providers- we are a team of knowledge and experiences that will help you as you venture down the path of daycare. We come here to vent to each other our frustrations.
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My3cents 10:01 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
Not a health risk? Just an annoyance?

Because they don't bite and cause infection...or spread like wildfire.....


You wouldn't believe how bad lice can get until you saw the shaved completely ulcerated and infected head of a toddler....multiple times.
The provider is not letting it get to that point!

There is a big difference between a disease and lice-
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Willow 10:39 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by My3cents:
Willow-

Most daycares- the parents pay if the child is in attendance or not. The provider needs to be able to anticipate a weekly income- The provider is providing a service and is open no matter if the child is there or not. This is good business practice.
That's pretty insulting to everyone who does things different than you do.

I don't agree that taking money for time not spent working is good business practice. That doesn't mean I'm right and the way you operate your daycare is using bad business practices.

We just see that issue differently is all.




Originally Posted by My3cents:
Lice is different then a disease that will make you sick.
Lice can make people sick though, and does all the time. Not like *cough cough* sick but as far as skin infections via the bites and scratches from the itching go they can really get out of control, and fast. I've seen it first hand.

Whether you think it's worth the risk of you or your child getting it that's fine, but not everyone lives in your world and has to agree.
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littlemissmuffet 11:28 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I don't agree that taking money for time not spent working is good business practice.
I am curious how long you have been doing daycare for?

Many of us have been doing daycare for 10 years, 20 years or longer. Many of us know that if we didn't charge for SPACES vs time then we likely wouldn't have businesses because there are MANY parents out there who would rip us off. It happens. Every single day. We need to be able to DEPEND on our incomes... not guess week to week or month to month how much we will be bringing in.

Anyhow, this "good business practice" isn't not just used by the majority of home daycares.... I cannot think of a single daycare center that would reimburse for a child's absence from daycare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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familyschoolcare 11:51 AM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:


Lice can make people sick though, and does all the time. Not like *cough cough* sick but as far as skin infections via the bites and scratches from the itching go they can really get out of control, and fast. I've seen it first hand.

Whether you think it's worth the risk of you or your child getting it that's fine, but not everyone lives in your world and has to agree.
That is intresting information do you have a source to back it up I would like to read/see it first hand
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familyschoolcare 12:02 PM 05-30-2012
When I came back from taking care of stuff I had two E-mails form DCD this is what their where.


The first on was …

Day Car Provider,

Since the contract essentially says that payment is still required whether or not DCB attends your daycare, no final decision will really need to be made at this time. So, go ahead process the payment made as you need. Ill be in touch with you again to let you know if DCB will be requiring your services on Monday and Tuesday.

Thanks,

The second was …

By the way, will the child who is reported to have lice be at your daycare any day of this week?

Please let me know


I sent the following response …

DCD,

As per Santa Clara county health department guidelines the child who was reported to have head lice will be allowed back into day care as soon as their head has been treated and there is no signs of the bugs or the eggs. Also, please see the attachment. I have decided that while I am not required to give parents a written notice that I will be handing out the County of Santa Clara public Health Department exposure notice starting today when parents come and pick up. I have attached your copy and will give you the hard copy when I see you next. I am not sure it scanned very clearly however you should get the general idea.

I will wait to hear from you about your final answer in regards to Gavin requiring my services on Monday and Tuesday.

Thank You
ME

FYI the exposure notice amongst other things says …

Need to keep child home? Yes at the end of the program or school day
Return to school/childcare? Children may return to school/childcare after treatment is completed
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My3cents 12:06 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
That's pretty insulting to everyone who does things different than you do.

I don't agree that taking money for time not spent working is good business practice. That doesn't mean I'm right and the way you operate your daycare is using bad business practices.

We just see that issue differently is all. Anyone that knows me or has followed my postings knows the last thing I like to do is to insult another provider. I am able to agree to disagree. My point, is that you are working, if your client needed you, you would be there. I have been doing daycare for a very long time. I know what works and I know what doesn't work.






Lice can make people sick though, and does all the time. Not like *cough cough* sick but as far as skin infections via the bites and scratches from the itching go they can really get out of control, and fast. I've seen it first hand.The OP was not talking about out of hand Lice Infestation. She had the issue under control and was just letting the parent know as one more precaution. The parent was wrong in this situation. Looking for a way to not have to pay her for a week- maybe even pull the child from her care. The parent was looking for free- he signed the contract that she went over with him.

Whether you think it's worth the risk of you or your child getting it that's fine, but not everyone lives in your world and has to agree.
I will say I too thought Op's first response was a bit much, but she quickly fixed it to be more suited to the problem- very nicely I might add.

When you send your child to public school- you stand the risk of them coming home with lice, wal-mart etc....

The OP was not letting lice take over and make anyone sick, like a disease would from the get go. Big difference

We can agree to disagree. I don't agree with you~
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sharlan 12:07 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
That is intresting information do you have a source to back it up I would like to read/see it first hand
Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Lice may cause you to scratch your head so vigorously that you break the skin. See your doctor if these scratches become infected.
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MarinaVanessa 12:09 PM 05-30-2012
Well the good thing is that the parent understands that they are still obligated to pay for their child's absences and it looks like they aren't going to press you about this issue any further so that's good news for you.

Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
That is intresting information do you have a source to back it up I would like to read/see it first hand
I was curious about this also as I had never heard of it so I did research of my own. The onlything I did find so far is on WebMD (slide 7 of 16) which says "The itching associated with lice is caused by an allergic reaction to the bug bites. Frequent scratching may lead to sores or raw skin on the scalp. Although uncommon, sores related to scratching can become infected by skin bacteria. Call a doctor promptly if the skin becomes red, swollen, or painful; or the lymph nodes in the neck become tender. These are signs of a skin infection." Slide 13 of 16 also said that lice are not carriers of any disease. I thought slide 15 was also interesting "If you have young children, there's unfortunately very little you can do to ward off head lice. Kids will be kids ..." and goes on to talk about how catching them early can prevent the rest of the family from getting them.

It makes sense about getting a bacterial skin infection due to excessive scratching however it does say that it is uncommon.

I did read from this site that actually washing items like toys is not necessary and that popping them into the dryer for 20 minutes is sufficient heat to kill any lice that could be on them. It did also mention (as did many other sources) that lice don't survive without a host longer than 48 hours. I also read that only the bedding and clothing used within the past 48 hours of the ones being treated for lice need to be washed.
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itlw8 12:50 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:

Recalling what I went through with the kids that came in with it, with my own kids in preventing the spread to them, with what I had to do with my home to keep everyone free of it, with how I had to handle visitors, and those that handled the kids in my care outside of our home...I *have* to laugh. If I didn't I'd cry. It's an incredibly overwhelming thing to recall.

.
There is HUGE difference between finding a few live lice and nit and taking care of them and a neglected child entering the fostercare system because the parents did not take care of them including a severe case of head lice that had gone on for months.

One may take some work that can be done in a day and the other may take weeks.
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Willow 03:31 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Yes, I guess we have simply reached different conclusions which is a wonderful example of how there is a good fit for every family.

Child care providers all have the right to operate differently and in whatever manner works best for them.

I couldn't agree more




littlemissmuffet - although I agree that time sometimes changes how we feel about things, this is one thing I hope I am never inspired or required to change for the families of the kids I care for. I depend on my income too, and up until a year ago I was a single mother of two to boot. That didn't change what I felt was fair or right.
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familyschoolcare 03:36 PM 05-30-2012
I can see how too much stratching can cause an infection.

So if I read all the reports here corectly the lice themselves do not cause any health issues. However, too much scratching can cause an infection. That is true reguardless of the reason for the scratching. If a child is scratching that much then the treatment is not working.
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Willow 03:42 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by familyschoolcare:
That is intresting information do you have a source to back it up I would like to read/see it first hand
The other links I provided touched on secondary bacterial infections but here are a few more:

http://www.dermatologyinfo.net/engli...hapter12_2.htm
"PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS

Pediculosis capitis is a common infestation of girls and boys with long hair. A school child is commonly infested due to direct contact with others in the classroom or in the playing ground. Infestation from personal fomites such as combs , hairbrushes and hair covers is common .

The commonest area infested is the occipital area and that which is near the ears. Lice are sometimes not easily found in the infested area but the nits are seen on the hair shaft .

Clinical Manifestations

Severe scalp itching .

Secondary bacterial infection causing folliculitis, impetigo and furunculosis.


Fig. 134. Pediculosis capitis
(Secondary bacterial infections)

The hair may be matted together with offensive smell due to the oozing and crusted bacterial lesion.

Cervical and occipital lymph nodes are enlarged .

Constitutional symptoms especially in infants and children are due to toxic bacterial absorption.

Diagnosis

Detection of the nits on the hair shaft or the parasitic lice .

The disease should be suspected in any case of :

Continuous scalp itching.

Inflammatory scalp lesions .

Enlargement of the occipital or posterior cervical lymph nodes especially in young girls.

Treatment

Secondary bacterial infection is treated first.

Wet crusted lesions are treated by wet compresses such as Potassium permanganate 1:9000 twice daily followed by topical antibacterial preparation such as Muperacin (Bactropan Cream).

Oral antibiotics.

A antihistamines orally may be required to alleviate itching .

Gamma benzene hexa chloride ( Kwell lotion or shampoo ) is applied and rubbed to the scalp at night and shampooed next night .

Another application may be required after two weeks ."



http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio...ediculosis.htm

"Clinical Presentation in Humans

P. capitis:

Typically asymptomatic. Symptoms that may appear are itchiness of the neck, scalp and ears, pruritis, as well as puss in affected areas (bites). In more severe cases secondary bacterial infections can develop which may lead to febrile episodes as well as enlargement of the cervical and nucal lymph nodes.
"


http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/es/d/Jh2918e/3.html

"Pediculosis is characterized by intense pruritus, which results in excoriations from scratching, hive-like lesions and dermatitis and often in secondary bacterial infections. Close inspection of the skin reveals both the characteristic red punctae from the bites and the species responsible."



If you google up "pediculosis bacterial infection" loads will come up if you're wanting more information.


I sincerely hope all works out for you and your child's school gets a grip on the problem so YOU don't have to deal with it anymore!
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familyschoolcare 03:46 PM 05-30-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:


Another application may be required after two weeks ."
[/i]




I sincerely hope all works out for you and your child's school gets a grip on the problem so YOU don't have to deal with it anymore!
We treat every wek for 4 weeks after seeing no signs of bugs or eggs

The school has no intentions of doing anything because one child does not a pattern make.
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Tags:communicable disease, communicable illnesses, lice, lice treatment
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