Well baby doctor visits for infants/toddlers

[Busy ECE mommy]

Do any of you have in your policies that infants/toddlers are required to attend their well baby checkups?(I'm referring to 12mos/15mos/18mos) To me these visits are very important for developmental reasons, and to asses growth etc.
I have one parent refusing to take the child, and this child has continued health issues and I suspect some developmental delay. I have never had a parent refuse these ones before, especially when I have discussed issues of concern with these parents. Suggestions on what to do???

[Secondtimearound]

For me personally I do not feel this is any of my business . Even if I knew for sure a child had a particular diagnosis I would do my best to inform a parent of my concern and then I would decide if I wanted to continue providing care . ( I'm experiencing this right now )

[Rachael]

Do any of you have in your policies that infants/toddlers are required to attend their well baby checkups?(I'm referring to 12mos/15mos/18mos) To me these visits are very important for developmental reasons, and to asses growth etc.
I have one parent refusing to take the child, and this child has continued health issues and I suspect some developmental delay. I have never had a parent refuse these ones before, especially when I have discussed issues of concern with these parents. Suggestions on what to do???

Unless it was stipulated as a requirement in your contract, I don't feel there is anything you can do!

I don't stipulate anything like this as I feel very, very strongly that it's the parent's choice. For my own children, I decided to have them immunized but I struggled with certain vaccinations.

I have one sibling, a sister, who is 13 months older than me and who has learning disabilities. According to our parents, he development was normal until she received the whooping cough immunisation. To this day, my parents are fully convinced that this was the cause of her developmental issue. They were so convinced for this, that when it came my turn, my father refused to allow me to have it.

I don't know if he's right or wrong in his belief but having seen what they believe, the guilt they still carry with them for permitting what they deem the cause of it, I don't think anyone has the right to insist on medical interaction for anyone but themselves and their own child.

Personally, I strongly believe that immunisations and routine testing are crucial but I wouldn't dream of insisting someone take their child to what I consider correct. I have no medical training and it's not my place for force my views on someone else.

The same applies to routine checks. A parent might opt not to do this for any number of reasons and it's wholly their decision to make.

If you strongly feel that your day care children are to be immunised and to have their routine checks, then I think that needs to be very clear from the beginning and in your contract so the expectation is laid out. A parent can then determine that you aren't a good fit for their own beliefs and you, can ask for these records as and when they become due and anyone who fails to have it done, is then in breach of contract and can be terminated according to your own policies.

But for a day care provider to try and force a parent into such a thing with no prior discussion, is way over-stepping the mark, IMO, regardless of intentions.

[5 Little Monkeys]

No I don't have it in my policies. I agree with the other ladies, I don't feel it's my place to tell parents that they have to attend these visits.

I would express my concerns to the parents but what they do after that is up to them IMO

[mickyc]

Same here. I don't have it in any of my policies and feel it is up to each parent.

[Fun&care]

It depends I think. What kind of health issues and developmental delays are we talking?

[playfelt]

Do you have expectations that the children in care will have up to date vaccinations - if so those are done at the scheduled wellness visits as well as an extensive developmental screening at the 18 month one.

Sounds like mom is in denial and not much you can do till she gets over it