Sick children at Childcare Centres

Thomas started daycare when he was 9 months old, hes now 1.5. He goes to a BIG kindy - theres on average 10 babies/toddlers in the nursery at one time, and god knows what else in the over 2's. Theres been all sorts of weird and wonderful bugs and diseases etc going round since he started, but because the kindy is really onto it with sending a child home when they get the slightest bit of the runs/temp etc he's not really been sick too much! He's had a couple of colds in winter, but nothing so bad that hes been off kindy for too long.

I luckly dont work, so it's not put me out at all by having to pick him up etc - but thats just part of normal kindy life really. They're in a public place for any length of time with other monsters and they're bound to get something!

My son started daycare around 11 months (he is now 20 months)    He has hardly been sick at all so have hardly had to take time off. I have had to pick him up twice for high temp and it was around when he was teething and his last daycare (changed recently) wouldn't give pamol.

At his new daycare he got a runny nose in the first week (not enough to stay home) but it cleared up quick and has been fine ever since. He loves going.

On the other hand, my friends son has been sick heaps with lots of ear infections and tummy bugs and first few months had so much time off but now ok.

So it may be luck of the draw, but I think my son has a good immune system and I also think that if the daycare clean their toys regularly that also helps.

I forewarned my work that he may get sick in the first 3 mths a she gets use to the new environment etc (just so they would be more understanding) but didnt have a problem luckily.

Good luck :-)

I think starting in summer weather would be easier than winter. Daniel got hand foot and mouth and 2 colds since hes started. He only had to come homr when he had hf&m not the colds. But our daycare is also a fairly new one and very clean

Thanks guys, I'm so much happier for reading the positive posts but will be prepared for the worst. Since I have 2 bubs they'll most likely catch everything because if one doesn't the other will and then the other one follows latter. I've already visited the daycare and LOVED it, clean and modern with excellent carers. They allow clear runny noses but temps etc are a no no.

Good point about starting in summer, I didn't think about that so hopefully it helps build up their immunity a bit.

Starting my own business so can only ask myself for time off but will make sure there are measures to cover work when required.

I definitely recommend starting in summer, when there's less bugs around. My DD didn't pick up any bugs until the winter (started in Feb), but I don't think she got any more colds than her non-DC buddies.

Ethan has only got sick twice since starting day care and both times (chicken pox and slap cheek) came from other places and not DC. No colds yet, and he's been there for coming up 6 months.

It's so interesting to hear these, I suppose it's like with anything you always hear the worst stories. Had a natter with DH and he's not convinced on doing daycare and still wants to get another Nanny but that's another story altogether.

My two started this time last year at 19 months and 3 years old. They have been sick a wee bit but no more than any other years. I have these chewable immunity boosting tablets from the health food shop, not sure if they do anything but they aren't doing any harm either.

My ones have been sick constantly all winter, it's sort of like one week on, one week off - but Dunedin is really bad for winter illnesses, especially when all the students come back from holidays and bring bugs back from the whole country. But I've heard that 3 years things start getting much better - that seems to be the trend down here.

You know as a teacher and mum every daycare is different.

My little girl started at my work/daycare at 3 and a half months and we have had about 2 days off for her two for me (I got a throat infection and tummy bug, but kept her at home with me).

Our centre states if you have conjunctivitis you can attend if you have drops or cream for the eye.

If vommitting or diarrhoea you must be at home for 48 hours.

Colds and sickness it is a good idea to keep them off.

Our centre offers reduced fees for 20 days in the year if your child is there 5 days, this is for holidays, if they are sick etc. They charge a holding fee of $2.

If you want I can pm you more information.

I know its hard being off work, but if they are going to be sick it is usually the first year, and some kids who don't attend daycare and head off to school they get really sick at school while the daycare kids are tough cause they have been through it.