When to tell parents that you are sick?

[Poppy]

I have been feeling pretty flu-ish on and off today. Hot/cold, headache and upset stomach. It's gettinfb worse and not better. If it continues I won't be able to look after the children tomorrow. In a normal work situation I would see how I felt in the morning, but I am worried that it will leave parents too late to find alternate care. When do you tell parents that you will be closed because you are sick?

[jodaycare]

I would call them this evening if you are really feeling horrible.

[Rachael]

As soon as I get to the stage that I am questioning my ability to work the next day, I let parents know.

If that's before pick up time on the prior day, I'd mention that I wasn't feeling well, planned an early night to see if that helped but be prepared with back up care in case I feel worse. If it's the middle of the night, then I would e-mail all client plus post in my FB group for current parents. I tend to request that they respond to the e-mail or FB post so I know they have seen it, and that for anyone who hasn't responded, I'd set my alarm for 6am and call them. My earliest arrival is 7am.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I just had to deal with this, this week! I woke up Monday feeling terrible! I let them all know an hour before opening that I would be closed. It sucks but it's a risk they take when signing on with a home daycare. This is why I stress during interviews how important it is for them to have a backup provider or plan for when I am sick. I was closed Tuesday for Remembrance Day. I texted them all that night saying that I thought I would be able to open Wednesday but to check their phones in the morning as I would text asap if I had to close. I woke up feeling horrible again so closed. Last night I then texted that I would for sure be open today but that I was still not well but that my husband would be home and he would be looking after the children for me until he had to go to work at 3pm. They all chose to send their child....even the mom who was on holidays. Apparently the risk of her child getting sick wasn't a big deal lol.

I have had a horribly high fever since Monday and it just finally broke late last night. It's come back a bit this evening but not enough that I will close tomorrow. I have a new family starting tomorrow and it would be horrible if I had to close on their first day....talk about bad first impression!! This is the only time that I truly miss an outside job....I miss paid sick days and knowing that my sick days don't affect so many others!!

HOpe you feel better!! I thought I just had the flu so I didn't go to the dr until Wednesday. Guess I have a bacterial infection and she gave me meds...seems to be sorta working I guess. This fever crap can take a hike anytime soon though!!