Sibling threw up - healthy one attends?

[DCMom]

I have two sibling DCKs. One threw up last night. The other seems healthy this morning. Should I allow the healthy one to attend?

I told the parent that technically I would allow the healthy one to attend, but there is a chance that he would also have the virus and would bring it into the daycare. If he did, my children would get sick and when they throw up in a day or two, I would not be able to provide care to the now-healthy DCKs. But there is a chance that he is not/ will not get sick...

Would you do the same thing? Any other considerations?

[Inspired by Reggio]

I typically only exclude when the actual child is symptomatic ~ there is a chance that the other sibling WONT get it however I remind parents to be on 'standby' to get here ASAP if the second child develops symptoms so if one is home with a sick child the other parent better be prepared to drop everything to get here ~ typically when you remind them THAT than they just keep the sibling home 'just in case' cause they do not want TWO parents having to take sick time ;)

[mimi]

I agree with Reggio. You don't know if your children would become ill. I have a dcb who never gets sick even though he's been exposed to pretty much everything. It's a chance you take and you have to be comfortable with it.

[kidlove]

I think any provider (especially one with their own kids) is a little crazy to take the chance of infecting more children with a virus of that nature. My contract states, if anyone in the home contracts a virus such as the flu or any other contagious illness, ALL children are to refrain from attending my daycare until 48 hours after the sick are well. I am a big time advocate for keeping illness from spreading, the best way to do that is to keep ALL members of the household away from contact with others until the virus has passed. Drives me nuts to here a parent is home with the flu and the child has been dropped off to me. It can take up to 72 hours for the virus to show signs/symptoms in a person giving them 3 whole days to infect ALL they come in contact with including the rest of the day care kids and you and your family. I don't mess with illness and all my families know that. Better safe than sorry, I always say!!!

[treeholm]

I just don't understand why a parent who is home with a sick child would send the other child. They are home anyway, so shouldn't they be looking after their children? There is a chance the other child will get sick, and I'd rather give them a day of rest at home, just in case. Of course, I also think it is very strange that someone on maternity leave would send an older child to daycare as well. Could be a generation thing since I'm a grandma, but I never heard of such a thing until recently. I would have felt incredibly guilty sending my child somewhere if I were home.

[Crayola kiddies]

I have it in my handbook that if one child is sick the sibling must remain at home as well.

[apples and bananas]

It's hard to exclude a child that may or may not be sick.

However, if one is sick and staying home then why can't the other one stay too? It would be logical to keep both kids out of care. This is another reason why I don't charge then they're sick. I don't want anyone coming just to get their money's worth. Kids get sick, it's part of the deal. The part that sucks is that from my experiance, it's takes about 2 days until the next one is throwing up.

I think you were right to explain it like that to the parent. Very honest. You can bring her, however, if my kids get sick in 2 days I close which means no daycare for you. Get your back up care ready.

[sunnydays]

Unfortunetly, it seems many parents these days don't feel they need to have two kids at home at once! They send the older one to daycare through mat leave and send the unsick kid to daycare if one is sick...I have had this happen to me many times. They say things like "it is so hard to have two kids home at once when one is sick"...I think these parents just haven't built up the stamina for it because they haven't had to. I can take care of 5 kids at once plus my own and yet many parents can't manage their own two. I don't exclude a healthy child, but I have often thought about this...I hate having the sibling come to daycare when I know the other one has the flu...then it's a waiting game to see if the healthy one will fall ill after infecting us all!



I just don't understand why a parent who is home with a sick child would send the other child. They are home anyway, so shouldn't they be looking after their children? There is a chance the other child will get sick, and I'd rather give them a day of rest at home, just in case. Of course, I also think it is very strange that someone on maternity leave would send an older child to daycare as well. Could be a generation thing since I'm a grandma, but I never heard of such a thing until recently. I would have felt incredibly guilty sending my child somewhere if I were home.

[Lou]

Ideally, I would love to enforce that they keep a sibling home...however, I do not turn away non-symptomatic children. But, I do suggest they keep the other child home to prevent spread of the virus throughout the other children and myself, and have them on standby should the child be exhibiting any symptoms.

[gcj]

I've been in this situation and I allow them since they're not sick, but as soon as they step in my door I change them into their emergency change of clothes and we wash hands before entering the play area or touching ANYTHING. I've gotten some odd looks for parents changing them to enter, but oh well! :laugh:

[Dreamalittledream]

Of course, I also think it is very strange that someone on maternity leave would send an older child to daycare as well. Could be a generation thing since I'm a grandma, but I never heard of such a thing until recently. I would have felt incredibly guilty sending my child somewhere if I were home.. I had the fortune to time the birth of my second just as my oldest started school. It was nice to get a nap in in the afternoon when I was often up in the night with the little one. I currently have 2 part timers whose moms are on mat leave sharing a full-time spot (kind of nice because I get to see the little babies/siblings regularly too that will be starting with me as well when the time comes). I think by keeping their kids in daycare while on Mat leave it keeps their space, keeps the child in the routine, makes for a happier, more stimulated, social child, makes the adjustment to a new sibling a little easier (things are new at home, but same old at daycare...we all know how toddlers can resist change). I personally just don't know how families afford it. I remember things being pretty tight when I was on Mat. Leave!

[Crayola kiddies]

As some other posters said Moms often leave an older child part time while on mat leave so they get some stimulation since while mom is busy with the baby the tv often becomes the babysitter. I have one going on mat leave and the older child is staying full time for the first 6 weeks while mom gets her sea legs again and then the child is going to part time until the end of mat leave when both will cone here full time. It keeps their spot too!

[apples and bananas]

I have 2 parents on mat leave right now. One has been on mat leave for 2 months and I've had her child full time even though the plan was 2 - 3 days a week. The other hasn't had the baby yet but has started mat leave at one more day then origionally planned. I think it depends on how young the older child is. In my case both are only 18 months. I'm ok with it! More in my pocket. :)

[kidlove]

Don't the parents have to pay for the spot even though they are on leave? I always consider it a chance for the Mom to get some house work done or a much needed nap while the older sibling gets a little social stimuli from other kids his or her age. I can't really blame the parent for using the spot I require they pay for.

[DCMom]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I spoke with a public health nurse who agreed with my inclination to keep the healthy sibling home. While a daycare centre would not require this, in a home daycare the impact of me or my children getting sick is very different (I can't call in sick and have someone cover me and care for my group of kids). I also read some other forums and it seems that providers are divided 50-50 on whether to allow healthy siblings, so I guess like so many other things we stand for what feels best for us. Now to get through the week without anyone else catching the bug...

[apples and bananas]

[QUOTE=kidlove;28131]Don't the parents have to pay for the spot even though they are on leave? I always consider it a chance for the Mom to get some house work done or a much needed nap while the older sibling gets a little social stimuli from other kids his or her age. I can't really blame the parent for using the spot I require they pay for.[/QUOT

I can afford (and need the break) for both families to go part time for the year. So I've made an arrangment with them. I charge both $80 a week every week of the year regardless or sick, vacation, etc. For $80 a week they can choose to bring their child for 2 days a week if they wish. All days above this are the regular rate. But the one has chosen to still send him full time. And that's ok with me! :)

I've been very lucky this year that my schedule has just fallen into place. I had a rough go when I started but it's smooth sailing now. :)

[horsegirl]

Sometimes the rest of the family does not get ill, just the one member. I will not accept a child if they are sick, or show signs of illness as per my contract. I will not accept a child if they have a cold and have green/yellow or clear mucous running from their nose.

Some parents have gotten annoyed and have made comments that they can't take time from work. The same parents have taken a couple of days off from work to have a date with their spouse at the beach and lunch, to go shopping accross the border and to do Christmas shopping, just to name a few. They drop their child off and off they go for a fun day. When their child has to stay home because of illness I politely remind them that sometimes we have to save up our holidays/sick days from work so that we can look after our little ones when they are sick, because this is a more important job than they will every have.

I have even had parents drop off children that look a little pale and lethargic. When I ask the parents if their child is ok they answer yes I think he is just a little tired. Four hours later he has a high fever. Upon phoning the parents for pick up they tell me that the Tylenol must have worn off. I pack up the child for pick up, gave the parents a letter of termination and send them on their way. Most parents are very good about not bringing them even when they have a cold, but you get the odd few that try to sway the system to fit their needs. It doesn't work here.:no: