What do I do about possible sick child in my in-home daycare?

Question

The mother of a 3yo just dropped off her son to my in-home daycare. She said "he just got over a 16 hour throw up session last night. I thought he was over the illness but I gave him pizza and obviously his stomach couldn't handle it. He said he's not hungry now but he will probably eat a lot today. And I don't think he's contageous anymore."

Ok, fine, but your son JUST got over (maybe not even yet??) a 16 hour vomit fest and you're bringing him to MY house less than 12 hours after he last vomited? I also keep a 19 month old, I have a 3yo and a 2yo of my own AND I'm 35 weeks pregnant. I don't want sick kids around me, my kids or the other boy I babysit. Even if he is over his sickness I don't know if it was food poisoning or something contageous. He seems fine and may be fine for the rest of the day. But if whatever he has is communicable we're probably all going to get eventually. These are kids, they breathe on each other, touch each other, share toys...What should I do?

Should I keep him all day and only call the mother if he gets sick. Or wait an hour or two and call her and say that I don't feel comfortable having her child who just got over an illness possibly passing it on to the rest of us? I don't want to be rude...but like I said if it's something contageous then we are all at risk here.

So I just called the mother and she said that yes whatever he has he got from the other kids at the other in home daycare he goes to Mon - Wed and a few of those kids were sick. But she thinks he's no longer contagious.

What the @&^&@&#^$!

I explained to her that I'm concerned about the health of my kids, the other boy I keep and myself. She said she understands and will make a few phone calls to see what she can do. I'm sorry..but I don't want a sick kid in my house.

Update: The mother just called back and said she is coming to get him. I feel bad, but...

Answer 1

You have every right to be concerned. I dont know how the 19mo olds parent would feel, but I would not want to drop my child off with other children who are sick. Plus hes around your children as well.

Answer 2

I would have refused to take the sick child. Being so far in your pregnancy with two kids of your own you can't risk being sick now that was unfare and inconsiderate of that mom. Part of being a mom is taking care of your sick child.

However, now that you've let the child stay it's hard to go back and change your mind now. If you notice ANY signs of sickness call the mom and have her pick up the child. Tell her the rules. Even make some and type them out for her. If her child has thrown up in the past 24 hours she can't bring them. If the child is running a temp beyond 100 she cannot bring the child. These are simple rules ANY daycare would provide.

My feeling is she is seeing how far she can push you because you are sitter. And, not a big corprorate daycare.

If she just dropped him off call her and tell her. I hate to say it but you could even lie and say he got sick and she needs to come and get him. But, because he's already there the damage is already done :((

Answer 3

I think you may want to ask this mom to find other care. You are expecting so it is a great way to move her out. Yes staying home and missing work isn't easy on any of us, but it is not fair to make enryone else sick and what sick child wants to go to day care? They want to be homeon thier own turf. Also, contact licensing about a Daily Health Assesment flyer. Most licesned day cares must due this with each child and it gives the standards they must meet to come to school. You could give this info to your families and tell them that this is your new policy-if they child doesn't meet it then they can't attend that day (it is stuff like no fever over 99.9, has not vomited in the last 24 hours, no visible contagious virus like pink eye). You can also check to see if the health dept has a listing like this.

Answer 4

Well..you let him stay when he was dropped off so if he seems fine, you have no reason to call up the parents at this point. I would put a policy in place as far as illness goes. I know that licensed daycare has to have one.

Children can't come if they have vomited, or had a fever in the last 24 hours are the standards I believe. As I recall, my childs daycare provider also said a child could not come if they had green or yellow nasal discharge as this is a sign of infection.

Answer 5

By keeping this little one at your home, you are putting the other children at risk for contracting the same illness. You need to call mom and have her come get the little tyke. She should have waited at least 24 hours. Also, see if he has a temp. There is a nasty stomach bug going around and it doesn't cause an elevation in temperature. My 18 month just got over it as well as myself and my 9 year old. It's no fun and we were pretty miserable. I'll be this little guy has bouts of diarrhea before the day is over. This strain of stomach virus is very contagious.Wash hands a lot.

Answer 6

I think that you should have a rule that states that they have to be over the "illness" by 24 hours before they can return to your daycare. Most schools have this rule. It is in your best interest to call this Mom up and tell her that her son cannot be there. It puts a lot of strain on you to protect yourself and the other children from the possible virus this child had or has. At 35 weeks, you yourself cannot catch this virus. Put your mind at ease and call the Mom. If you lose one child because of this than oh well. It's better than getting sick and infecting other children. Good luck.

Answer 7

You have every right to send the child home. My in home day care provider doesn't take the kids until they've been 24 hours fever free the same applies for throwing up....not until they've had a day free from being sick.

The mother should have called you last night or this morning to see if you would accept the child today. We call and talk to our provider when this type of thing happens and sometimes she does take our son...if there was no fever or throwing up associated with what ever illness he had....but sometimes she requests we keep him home.

Answer 8

If you think the child is sick, then you need to call the mother and have her pick him up. You do not want all the kids to get sick. Why would she bring him in anyway? Definitely call her. Ask her to make sure that he is not ill before she brings him back. This is for the benefit of the other children. It sounds like the flu to me and that is contagious. Good luck.

Answer 9

Call her and tell her to come back, just tell her he threw up again, your right for not wanting him there. That was a very selfish thing for her to do! #1 reason my daughter does not go to day care. Too many selfish parents that send sick kids in, by now the germs are on everything he has touched and the other kids are at risk, as well as your self!

Answer 10

you're right to be concerned. make sure the kids all wash their hands a lot. try to separate them a little but don't lock him in a room by himself. if he says he feels better, he may be. it could have just been something he ate that made him sick ( i had something similar last week). at this point, he's probably not even contagious anymore. if he shows any more symptoms, call his mother and have her pick him up asap. you have every right to remove him if he compromises the health of other kids