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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What If You Are Running A Fever?
Msdunny 07:33 PM 02-16-2013
I started running a low grade fever tonight. Do you close if you are the one with the fever? I am miserable! 
cheerfuldom 07:37 PM 02-16-2013
No I never close. Even if I have something contagious, I dont close. I do tell parents if I am contagious and they can choose to send their child or not (either way, I still get paid and they cant complain that I closed). I only say if I know for sure what is going and have never had a parent keep a child home while I was ill. I have had the flu twice, strep, and an assortment of colds and such. I worked through all of it.
EchoMom 07:37 PM 02-16-2013
I guess it depends what your contract says. If you've given yourself sick days that you are allowed to close, then close and take your sick day.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
Unregistered 09:32 PM 02-16-2013
Originally Posted by EchoMom:
I guess it depends what your contract says. If you've given yourself sick days that you are allowed to close, then close and take your sick day.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
I think regardless of what your contract says if you're sick and don't feel like you can work then close!! Even if you haven't told parents that you could potentially close, if you're sick, you're sick. It shouldn't be such a shock to them that sometimes everyone gets sick and can't work.I guess it depends what your contract says. If you've given yourself sick days that you are allowed to close, then close and take your sick day.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
The question of whether or not you'll be paid for the day is a different question altogether. I've given myself 5 personal days to be used however I want, so I would be paid. If you haven't given yourself the days or you've run out of your own paid days off then I wouldn't charge the parents for the day.
That being said, I have closed a few days when I haven't felt well. Once I did close due to a fever. I'm human and sometimes I don't feel well and can't work.
Starburst 09:44 PM 02-16-2013
If you are well enough to work then I would just wear a surgical mask and let parents know that you are a little under the weather but will take universal precausions to prevent spread.
If you are throwing up, dizzy, have difficulty breathing, disoriented, have oozing sores, have major diarriah, loss of bowle/bladder control, or have difficulty eating/ walking/ lifting/ moving then I would close.
If you are throwing up, dizzy, have difficulty breathing, disoriented, have oozing sores, have major diarriah, loss of bowle/bladder control, or have difficulty eating/ walking/ lifting/ moving then I would close.
EchoMom 03:53 AM 02-17-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I think regardless of what your contract says if you're sick and don't feel like you can work then close!! Even if you haven't told parents that you could potentially close, if you're sick, you're sick. It shouldn't be such a shock to them that sometimes everyone gets sick and can't work.
The question of whether or not you'll be paid for the day is a different question altogether. I've given myself 5 personal days to be used however I want, so I would be paid. If you haven't given yourself the days or you've run out of your own paid days off then I wouldn't charge the parents for the day.
That being said, I have closed a few days when I haven't felt well. Once I did close due to a fever. I'm human and sometimes I don't feel well and can't work.
Sure, she CAN close, she has the right to do whatever she wants. However, she's got to consider the consequences. If parents didn't know that you would/could close when you're sick, then that very well could be a deal breaker for them and I think very unfair. If you want the option to close when sick, put it in your contract or talk about it up front. If the OP did that then by all means close and don't feel one bit bad about it.I think regardless of what your contract says if you're sick and don't feel like you can work then close!! Even if you haven't told parents that you could potentially close, if you're sick, you're sick. It shouldn't be such a shock to them that sometimes everyone gets sick and can't work.
The question of whether or not you'll be paid for the day is a different question altogether. I've given myself 5 personal days to be used however I want, so I would be paid. If you haven't given yourself the days or you've run out of your own paid days off then I wouldn't charge the parents for the day.
That being said, I have closed a few days when I haven't felt well. Once I did close due to a fever. I'm human and sometimes I don't feel well and can't work.
I just think the OP has to weigh HOW sick she is against the result of closing. I just got a new DCfamily specifically because the previous provider closed on multiple occassions with extremely short notice.
LK5kids 05:07 AM 02-17-2013
I close. I can't imagine working with strep or flu. That said, I don't get sick often, so it's rare I close.
Blackcat31 07:37 AM 02-17-2013
Illness policies aren't about money or loss of income. Atleast they shouldn't be.
Illness policies should be about mutual respect and not spreading a contagious illness back and forth to others.
The illness policy should not only apply to your DCK's but to yourself as well.
Unless you are expecting to get some new teeth, you are running a fever because you are sick.
Eliminate the possibility of spreading whatever you have and close.
Illness policies should be about mutual respect and not spreading a contagious illness back and forth to others.
The illness policy should not only apply to your DCK's but to yourself as well.
Unless you are expecting to get some new teeth, you are running a fever because you are sick.
Eliminate the possibility of spreading whatever you have and close.
MamaBearCanada 09:31 AM 02-17-2013
Originally Posted by EchoMom:
I guess it depends what your contract says. If you've given yourself sick days that you are allowed to close, then close and take your sick day.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
This doesn't make sense to me. She's human - humans get sick and if it's severe enough she cannot and should not work. I don't think we need to tell parents "I might get sick" for that assumption to be made. How are they going to be shocked that someone doesnt work when they are severely sick or hospitalized?I guess it depends what your contract says. If you've given yourself sick days that you are allowed to close, then close and take your sick day.
If you haven't, then I don't think you can. If parents didn't know when they signed up you could potentially close then that would be quite a shock to them and IMO unfair.
If you can't close, you could let the parents know you have a fever and let them decide to still come or not. And for whoever does come, well, make it a super easy day. You don't have to clean up the toys that day, you don't have to do an activity that day, etc. The kids won't suffer because they had one boring day when you were sick.
I feel statements like this make daycare providers feel guilty for taking time off to care for themselves. Yes it might be an inconvenience to the parents but that doesn't mean that we are not worth it. Parents who can't accept that should probably choose a center or a provider with assistants/subs.
EchoMom 09:45 AM 02-17-2013
Originally Posted by MamaBearCanada:
This doesn't make sense to me. She's human - humans get sick and if it's severe enough she cannot and should not work. I don't think we need to tell parents "I might get sick" for that assumption to be made. How are they going to be shocked that someone doesnt work when they are severely sick or hospitalized?
I feel statements like this make daycare providers feel guilty for taking time off to care for themselves. Yes it might be an inconvenience to the parents but that doesn't mean that we are not worth it. Parents who can't accept that should probably choose a center or a provider with assistants/subs.
I see what you're saying. You're totally right, we're all human and we all get sick which is why I hope it was discussed at the interview already. I personally have always been asked what happens if I'm sick by every prospective client so I can't imagine the OP hadn't discussed it with the families already. All I'm trying to say is whatever was agreed upon should be followed through with or else lose credibility and reliability. However, since the OP is asking this question makes it seem like there probably wasn't already a plan or decision in place. Which is a big oversight that hopefully she'll make a policy addressing from now on so she doesnt' have to stress about it from now on.This doesn't make sense to me. She's human - humans get sick and if it's severe enough she cannot and should not work. I don't think we need to tell parents "I might get sick" for that assumption to be made. How are they going to be shocked that someone doesnt work when they are severely sick or hospitalized?
I feel statements like this make daycare providers feel guilty for taking time off to care for themselves. Yes it might be an inconvenience to the parents but that doesn't mean that we are not worth it. Parents who can't accept that should probably choose a center or a provider with assistants/subs.
She shouldn't feel guilty for closing if she needs to, she just has to count the cost and predict what the fallout might be.
Msdunny 09:56 AM 02-17-2013
Thanks for your input, folks. I had a root canal on Friday and I am assuming the fever was a side effect. I was definitely miserable last night and wouldn't have been able to work this morning, but I think I'll pull through for tomorrow. 
I will keep your suggestions in mind in case this comes up again. Especially if I have any oozing wounds or uncontrollable diarrhea! I will definitely take those days off!
I will keep your suggestions in mind in case this comes up again. Especially if I have any oozing wounds or uncontrollable diarrhea! I will definitely take those days off!
MamaBearCanada 10:11 AM 02-17-2013
Originally Posted by EchoMom:
I see what you're saying. You're totally right, we're all human and we all get sick which is why I hope it was discussed at the interview already. I personally have always been asked what happens if I'm sick by every prospective client so I can't imagine the OP hadn't discussed it with the families already. All I'm trying to say is whatever was agreed upon should be followed through with or else lose credibility and reliability. However, since the OP is asking this question makes it seem like there probably wasn't already a plan or decision in place. Which is a big oversight that hopefully she'll make a policy addressing from now on so she doesnt' have to stress about it from now on.
She shouldn't feel guilty for closing if she needs to, she just has to count the cost and predict what the fallout might be.
I see what you're saying. You're totally right, we're all human and we all get sick which is why I hope it was discussed at the interview already. I personally have always been asked what happens if I'm sick by every prospective client so I can't imagine the OP hadn't discussed it with the families already. All I'm trying to say is whatever was agreed upon should be followed through with or else lose credibility and reliability. However, since the OP is asking this question makes it seem like there probably wasn't already a plan or decision in place. Which is a big oversight that hopefully she'll make a policy addressing from now on so she doesnt' have to stress about it from now on.
She shouldn't feel guilty for closing if she needs to, she just has to count the cost and predict what the fallout might be.
I see what you're saying, especially about credibility. Sorry if I misunderstood your first post.
Originally Posted by Msdunny:
Thanks for your input, folks. I had a root canal on Friday and I am assuming the fever was a side effect. I was definitely miserable last night and wouldn't have been able to work this morning, but I think I'll pull through for tomorrow.
I will keep your suggestions in mind in case this comes up again. Especially if I have any oozing wounds or uncontrollable diarrhea! I will definitely take those days off!
Hope you feel much better tomorrow. I think EchoMom makes a good point about having a wellness policy in place. In mine I state that I get 5 paid sick days a year, though I might not use them all, any sick days after that are unpaid, and that parents are responsible for backup care for any days I am closed.Thanks for your input, folks. I had a root canal on Friday and I am assuming the fever was a side effect. I was definitely miserable last night and wouldn't have been able to work this morning, but I think I'll pull through for tomorrow.
I will keep your suggestions in mind in case this comes up again. Especially if I have any oozing wounds or uncontrollable diarrhea! I will definitely take those days off!
Msdunny 05:56 AM 02-18-2013
Well, my temperature went back up to 101.5, so I let all the parents know. Only one family didn't have alternate care, so my daughter is babysitting for them today. The "funny" thing is I am pretty sure I am sick because this family brought their son to me last week when they knew he was sick. This was the mom who picked up dcb and left dcg with me. I have the same symptoms he had. Why do parents not understand why we don't need to keep their sick children? Two of my families (totaling 4 children) are like this. I started doing child care again in Nov., and this is the one thing that is making me want to quit. This is the second time I have been sick, and both times are as a result of having sick kids here. Before this, I never got sick much at all.
One of my friends says, "It is that Petrie dish of germs you are living in".
One of my friends says, "It is that Petrie dish of germs you are living in".
providerandmomof4 06:10 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
No I never close. Even if I have something contagious, I dont close. I do tell parents if I am contagious and they can choose to send their child or not (either way, I still get paid and they cant complain that I closed). I only say if I know for sure what is going and have never had a parent keep a child home while I was ill. I have had the flu twice, strep, and an assortment of colds and such. I worked through all of it.
This has been my policy thus far and truthfully, I am tired of it. Last Friday I was miserable....my own dd was home from school sick with a fever and I had a stomach bug that had me running to the bathroom every five minutes. If I worked out of the home, I would've called in sick. I advised dp's of the situation and not one cared....still brought their kids. I need to change my policy in a hurry. No I never close. Even if I have something contagious, I dont close. I do tell parents if I am contagious and they can choose to send their child or not (either way, I still get paid and they cant complain that I closed). I only say if I know for sure what is going and have never had a parent keep a child home while I was ill. I have had the flu twice, strep, and an assortment of colds and such. I worked through all of it.
I'm feeling much better today though so...toughed it out, but I don't feel I should have to work that ill. I know for a fact that dp wouldn't. They'd call into work and bring their kids to me! It just happened a few weeks ago!
youretooloud 06:14 AM 02-18-2013
I never close either. We just watch lots of tv that day, and maybe order a pizza, or I'll even make those frozen chicken nuggets, and open a can of peaches, and serve that for lunch.
I have a big screen tv with cable channels that the kids never get to watch. So, it's like a special day and nobody minds.
I have a big screen tv with cable channels that the kids never get to watch. So, it's like a special day and nobody minds.
Msdunny 06:29 AM 02-18-2013
I guess my question is, "why?" For those of you who never close, why not? I am not interested in sharing this with all the children in my care. If I worked at a job where I didn't interact with people, I would work. But I just can't understand risking making others sick. I do this job because I need the money, and believe me, I really struggled with just letting the parents know versus closing. I knew that at least one family would want care no matter what (they were a little upset that i closed early for my mother's memorial service). That is why my dd volunteered to "babysit" for them today. If I were a parent, I wouldn't want someone with a 101+ temperature (along with other symptoms) caring for and feeding my kids. They may decide to go elsewhere, but I am concerned with the well being of their kids, first and foremost.
youretooloud 06:39 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by Msdunny:
I guess my question is, "why?" For those of you who never close, why not?
If I were vomiting, or had something that would keep me locked in the bathroom, I'd cancel. But, for a virus, I don't. I guess my question is, "why?" For those of you who never close, why not?
It's very, very hard for my parents to get a substitute for their classrooms. Especially since five of them teach in the same school. The normal amount of teachers would have already called for a sub, then because of me, five more would have to try to find a sub. Then, they still need to go into school to get things ready for a sub. So, I just never call in sick. I can usually manage on the couch for a few hours, take massive doses of motrin, and just get through each day.
Blackcat31 06:48 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by youretooloud:
If I were vomiting, or had something that would keep me locked in the bathroom, I'd cancel. But, for a virus, I don't.
It's very, very hard for my parents to get a substitute for their classrooms. Especially since five of them teach in the same school. The normal amount of teachers would have already called for a sub, then because of me, five more would have to try to find a sub. Then, they still need to go into school to get things ready for a sub. So, I just never call in sick. I can usually manage on the couch for a few hours, take massive doses of motrin, and just get through each day.
So I am curious then, if you had a fever of 101.5 like OP did, would you have remained open?If I were vomiting, or had something that would keep me locked in the bathroom, I'd cancel. But, for a virus, I don't.
It's very, very hard for my parents to get a substitute for their classrooms. Especially since five of them teach in the same school. The normal amount of teachers would have already called for a sub, then because of me, five more would have to try to find a sub. Then, they still need to go into school to get things ready for a sub. So, I just never call in sick. I can usually manage on the couch for a few hours, take massive doses of motrin, and just get through each day.
If so, do allow kids to come to daycare when they have a fever of 101.5 or do you exclude them?
Do parents pay either way? Absent or not? If you are closed? Do you tell the parents you have a fever or are sick?
Not judging, just wondering how illnesses/exclusion works for you.
youretooloud 07:02 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
So I am curious then, if you had a fever of 101.5 like OP did, would you have remained open?
If so, do allow kids to come to daycare when they have a fever of 101.5 or do you exclude them?
Do parents pay either way? Absent or not? If you are closed? Do you tell the parents you have a fever or are sick?
Not judging, just wondering how illnesses/exclusion works for you.
I would still work, even with a higher fever. I have worked full days with the worst case of strep throat I could imagine. I've worked through horrible, miserable pain. But, I still never take a day off.So I am curious then, if you had a fever of 101.5 like OP did, would you have remained open?
If so, do allow kids to come to daycare when they have a fever of 101.5 or do you exclude them?
Do parents pay either way? Absent or not? If you are closed? Do you tell the parents you have a fever or are sick?
Not judging, just wondering how illnesses/exclusion works for you.
I DO text the parents the day before, or that morning. So, they are made aware of it. Usually I caught it from the kids though, so they don't worry.
No. I would not allow a sick child to come over. Just because I am willing to work, I am not willing to take care of a sick child. (mildly sick, yes) I do take kids with colds, chicken pox, 5ths disease HFM, those things that we were all exposed to long before we figured out what it was. Since the parents all work together, they are all aware of what is going around.
I do not charge if I take the day off, but if they choose not to come, I do charge. I have only taken one sick day off, and that was planned for a surgery. I gave the parents almost a week's notice.
Blackcat31 07:12 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by youretooloud:
I would still work, even with a higher fever. I have worked full days with the worst case of strep throat I could imagine. I've worked through horrible, miserable pain. But, I still never take a day off.
I DO text the parents the day before, or that morning. So, they are made aware of it. Usually I caught it from the kids though, so they don't worry.
No. I would not allow a sick child to come over. Just because I am willing to work, I am not willing to take care of a sick child. (mildly sick, yes) I do take kids with colds, chicken pox, 5ths disease HFM, those things that we were all exposed to long before we figured out what it was. Since the parents all work together, they are all aware of what is going around.
I do not charge if I take the day off, but if they choose not to come, I do charge. I have only taken one sick day off, and that was planned for a surgery. I gave the parents almost a week's notice.
Oh I hear what you are saying about working through the sickness...I would still work, even with a higher fever. I have worked full days with the worst case of strep throat I could imagine. I've worked through horrible, miserable pain. But, I still never take a day off.
I DO text the parents the day before, or that morning. So, they are made aware of it. Usually I caught it from the kids though, so they don't worry.
No. I would not allow a sick child to come over. Just because I am willing to work, I am not willing to take care of a sick child. (mildly sick, yes) I do take kids with colds, chicken pox, 5ths disease HFM, those things that we were all exposed to long before we figured out what it was. Since the parents all work together, they are all aware of what is going around.
I do not charge if I take the day off, but if they choose not to come, I do charge. I have only taken one sick day off, and that was planned for a surgery. I gave the parents almost a week's notice.
I am a pretty stubborn old gal myself and refuse to let any type of illness/ailment keep me down.
I was just curious about how you handled sickness since you do work through it.
One thing I don't agree with though is charging parents who choose to NOT expose their child to whatever it is you have. I don't really see that as fair and view it more or less as though the parent is having to pay for choosing to keep their child healthy. kwim?
But I guess it is just another example of how we all do what works for us and as long as your parents are all aware of your policy BEFORE signing on, it's all good.
Like I said NO judgment....just curious.
Holiday Park 07:20 AM 02-18-2013
Im posting because I rarely get sick maybe once a year and it's always something really severe. But I do get over it and am ok after a few days. Last year I had rsv with my 5 month old ( he's now almost 17 months). We both had our sick days (together) for 2days .
It's been almost 12 months and I woke up at 4am today throwing up . I felt miserable ever since, stuck under a blanket and feeling very physically weak. I don't have the strength to open a bottle water cap, and my joints are sticking when I move my hands (I aways suspected I am developing arthritis). Any way, I texted the only client who comes on monday that I couldnt keep her child today and why.
My problem is I planned to give her 2 weeks notice and use her deposit for next week being free (she paid for last wk of care). I gave myself 2 paid sick days but my question is, are 2 day enough to not be contagious if I have the stomach flu? Also, I was supposed to close today & tomorrow but let her pay to reserve the spot, which she did. So her kid would be the only one because I only wanted to take 1 kid on these days. She paid for the entire week almost 2 wks in advance to reserve these 2days. Now if I use my sick days will that look unfair ?
And I'm still desperate to terminate care so he's gone at the end of next week. Because I'm unable to meet the needs of my own family and 16.5 month old. One reason being is my milk has almost dried up from being too busy working. The clock is ticking and I'm nearly dried up. Once he's gone I will be desparately pumping every 2 hrs to get my supply back. I really wanted to tell her in person but I'm going to have to text her .
It's been almost 12 months and I woke up at 4am today throwing up . I felt miserable ever since, stuck under a blanket and feeling very physically weak. I don't have the strength to open a bottle water cap, and my joints are sticking when I move my hands (I aways suspected I am developing arthritis). Any way, I texted the only client who comes on monday that I couldnt keep her child today and why.
My problem is I planned to give her 2 weeks notice and use her deposit for next week being free (she paid for last wk of care). I gave myself 2 paid sick days but my question is, are 2 day enough to not be contagious if I have the stomach flu? Also, I was supposed to close today & tomorrow but let her pay to reserve the spot, which she did. So her kid would be the only one because I only wanted to take 1 kid on these days. She paid for the entire week almost 2 wks in advance to reserve these 2days. Now if I use my sick days will that look unfair ?
And I'm still desperate to terminate care so he's gone at the end of next week. Because I'm unable to meet the needs of my own family and 16.5 month old. One reason being is my milk has almost dried up from being too busy working. The clock is ticking and I'm nearly dried up. Once he's gone I will be desparately pumping every 2 hrs to get my supply back. I really wanted to tell her in person but I'm going to have to text her
.
Texasjeepgirl 11:52 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by LK5kids:
I close. I can't imagine working with strep or flu. That said, I don't get sick often, so it's rare I close.
DITTOI close. I can't imagine working with strep or flu. That said, I don't get sick often, so it's rare I close.
I do not get sick very often..
Sometimes only once every 2-3 years that I am so ill I close the daycare...
But.. when I've been sick enough to close.. I'M SICK.. high fever... or.. throwing up...
I am LICENSED for 12 children.. and I'm usually always full..there's just no way I could properly care for a full group of small kids with a high fever...or throwing up...
and I don't attempt it..
I do have it in my policies that I have sick days...
I make it very clear to all clients that if they enroll their child in my daycare.. I'm NOT a 'facility' style daycare... I'm a family home provider..
I don't have substitute teachers that can work for me if I'm too ill..
it's MOSTLY just me...
I let all clients know when they enroll that I am RARELY sick...
BUT... I am a human being.. people get sick..
As one poster stated.. I usually catch it from the daycare children...but.. regardless.. I can't imagine anyone providing care to a group of children when they are running high temp... throwing up.. and feeling completely miserable..
MarinaVanessa 02:05 PM 02-18-2013
I stay open when I am sick unless I have diarrhea or I'm vomiting or unless I feel too sick to stay open.
I feel secure about doing this because I do a really good job of containing germs as it is. I'm an adult not one of the DCK's and I know very well how easily germs can spread as well as how to properly contain them. If I have a cough I wear a face mask just in case but otherwise I just use universal health precautions to keep anyone else from getting sick ..
Proper and frequent hand-washing, diapering with gloves, blowing my nose frequently in to a new and clean tissue if I have a runny nose, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and toys/equipment, food handling with food prep gloves etc. are all a normal part of my day now anyway. And I'm talking about mild sickness here not like gut-wrenching, I'm going to fall over and pass out type sickness. If I feel too sick to properly care for my DC kids then I will close or I will have someone take over for me. In all of the years that I've stayed opened when I was mildly ill I've never had another person get sick because of me. I have however gotten sick from other DCK's who's parents said that they were fine
.
I am also one of those that will alert my DCF's that I'm sick and let them decide whether or not to bring their child. I can't say that I remember having one client choose to keep their child home when I was sick.
I feel secure about doing this because I do a really good job of containing germs as it is. I'm an adult not one of the DCK's and I know very well how easily germs can spread as well as how to properly contain them. If I have a cough I wear a face mask just in case but otherwise I just use universal health precautions to keep anyone else from getting sick ..
Proper and frequent hand-washing, diapering with gloves, blowing my nose frequently in to a new and clean tissue if I have a runny nose, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and toys/equipment, food handling with food prep gloves etc. are all a normal part of my day now anyway. And I'm talking about mild sickness here not like gut-wrenching, I'm going to fall over and pass out type sickness. If I feel too sick to properly care for my DC kids then I will close or I will have someone take over for me. In all of the years that I've stayed opened when I was mildly ill I've never had another person get sick because of me. I have however gotten sick from other DCK's who's parents said that they were fine
. I am also one of those that will alert my DCF's that I'm sick and let them decide whether or not to bring their child. I can't say that I remember having one client choose to keep their child home when I was sick.
cheerfuldom 03:26 PM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by providerandmomof4:
This has been my policy thus far and truthfully, I am tired of it. Last Friday I was miserable....my own dd was home from school sick with a fever and I had a stomach bug that had me running to the bathroom every five minutes. If I worked out of the home, I would've called in sick. I advised dp's of the situation and not one cared....still brought their kids. I need to change my policy in a hurry. I'm feeling much better today though so...toughed it out, but I don't feel I should have to work that ill. I know for a fact that dp wouldn't. They'd call into work and bring their kids to me! It just happened a few weeks ago!
I agree....it sucks doing it this way. but overall, its better for me. I know that sounds bad but i am tired of caring about something that the daycare parents dont care about. I am still up and moving no matter what because I have four young children of my own, doesnt make a huge difference in the work load to close the daycare...its not like i am going to sleep in anyway. so if i open and leave it up to the parents, they almost always send their kids and then i dont have to hear complaints about finding backup care. by the time i figure out what i have, everyone is exposed anyway. normally i dont slow down or even notice i am sick until it is really bad and almost all of my sickness started with the daycare kids anyway so again....they are all exposed or already have it at that point anyway.This has been my policy thus far and truthfully, I am tired of it. Last Friday I was miserable....my own dd was home from school sick with a fever and I had a stomach bug that had me running to the bathroom every five minutes. If I worked out of the home, I would've called in sick. I advised dp's of the situation and not one cared....still brought their kids. I need to change my policy in a hurry.
I'm feeling much better today though so...toughed it out, but I don't feel I should have to work that ill. I know for a fact that dp wouldn't. They'd call into work and bring their kids to me! It just happened a few weeks ago!
cheerfuldom 03:32 PM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by Msdunny:
I guess my question is, "why?" For those of you who never close, why not? I am not interested in sharing this with all the children in my care. If I worked at a job where I didn't interact with people, I would work. But I just can't understand risking making others sick. I do this job because I need the money, and believe me, I really struggled with just letting the parents know versus closing. I knew that at least one family would want care no matter what (they were a little upset that i closed early for my mother's memorial service). That is why my dd volunteered to "babysit" for them today. If I were a parent, I wouldn't want someone with a 101+ temperature (along with other symptoms) caring for and feeding my kids. They may decide to go elsewhere, but I am concerned with the well being of their kids, first and foremost.
I explained in my last post. I guess my question is, "why?" For those of you who never close, why not? I am not interested in sharing this with all the children in my care. If I worked at a job where I didn't interact with people, I would work. But I just can't understand risking making others sick. I do this job because I need the money, and believe me, I really struggled with just letting the parents know versus closing. I knew that at least one family would want care no matter what (they were a little upset that i closed early for my mother's memorial service). That is why my dd volunteered to "babysit" for them today. If I were a parent, I wouldn't want someone with a 101+ temperature (along with other symptoms) caring for and feeding my kids. They may decide to go elsewhere, but I am concerned with the well being of their kids, first and foremost.
and will add that as far as I know, everytime I have been sick in the past 5 years (maybe twice a year) has always come from the kids to me...not the other way around. at that point, the daycare kids already have it or have been exposed for days. damage is already done.
Country Kids 04:59 PM 02-18-2013
I always base it on-if I can barely get up to take care of my own kids, there is no way I can be chasing after 6 kids all day long.
CedarCreek 08:51 PM 02-18-2013
If its just a cold or something small,no I am open. If I have a fever I alert the parents and if they have to get alternate care, I don't charge for that day. If I am well enough to get through the day with the kids and a parent chooses to expose their child,they can come but they were warned. If I'm feeling like I can't get through the day, no way am I accepting them.
Msdunny 10:08 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by CedarCreek:
If its just a cold or something small,no I am open. If I have a fever I alert the parents and if they have to get alternate care, I don't charge for that day. If I am well enough to get through the day with the kids and a parent chooses to expose their child,they can come but they were warned. If I'm feeling like I can't get through the day, no way am I accepting them.
This is how I feel, and what I did. And I am so glad - my plan was to stay in my room all day and go through things and really straighten up while my daughter kept the two that came, but I ended up sleeping most of the day. I was so drained. Then I find out that the one mom that "really had to send her kids so she could work" actually stayed home yesterday and today, sick! She can't watch her kids sick, but I can. I'm thinking I am going to need to term this family. I am too resentful if how they use me.If its just a cold or something small,no I am open. If I have a fever I alert the parents and if they have to get alternate care, I don't charge for that day. If I am well enough to get through the day with the kids and a parent chooses to expose their child,they can come but they were warned. If I'm feeling like I can't get through the day, no way am I accepting them.
itlw8 11:45 AM 02-19-2013
I used to never close unless I was dying. Lt summer I got sick Friday I barely made it until 3:30 when dh got home and took over. Sat he stuck me in the car and we went to urgent care. I was the 5th patient of the morning. Dr says I rarely see adults with strep and you are the 2nd this morning. both work with children.... then he looked at me and said when did you start to feel bad.... Thursday. So you exposed how many children?
I now close if I need to. ( none of the children got sick)
I now close if I need to. ( none of the children got sick)