Recommending a child stay home?

So, in my policy I obviously have the "must" stay home illness policies. Fever, vomitting, diarrhea, etc.

The little girl I have mentioned before who can not seem to stay healthy for more than a few days in a row has had a cold for nearly 2 weeks. It hasn't been affecting her play at all, and I don't have parents keep their children home due to cold symptoms. However, today her cold is full blown. She is chest coughing constantly and her nose literally does not stop...I'm sure she's used most of a box of kleenex at this point. She has bags under her eyes and she's moving slowly today. She's still acting happy, and playing and eating, she just looks and sounds horrible. I would LOVE for her to a rest day at home tomorrow so she has 3 days of rest so she can hopefully recover over the weekend and come fresh on Monday (before she gets sick again, ha!)

My question is, have you ever recommended a child stay home but not enforced it? Like suggested it to Mom at pick up? How did you word it? Or should I just leave it be and have her continue to fight it out here since it's not a mandatory stay home illness?

I actually have in my contracts "excessive drainage" as well. I am a "big time" germ freak! and ALL my parents know it, that IS and has been one area I absolutely will not budge. If I have concerns over the childs illness or even their "need to be home with Mommy" I will tell the parent at pick-up or if I have to call them at work. I would see nothing wrong with explaining your concern for her "need for rest" and ask her if she could please keep her home tomorrow and hopefully she will be rested and better by monday. (I would also ask the parent to give a call sometime sunday evening to let you know how she is doing) In my contracts I also state: When a Child is ill, there is no better care than that of a Mommy or Daddy. sometimes thats just what I say: "I think she/he needs a day with Mommy to feel better" :)

Unfortunately, I can't turn children away at the door due to a virus, but I can suggest when they get as bad as the poor little girl you are describing that they take her to the doctor to check for chest infection and ear infection. I always tell the parents that those are things only a doctor can diagnose because they aren't visible to our eyes. Once the parents have gone to the doctor at least you will know if it's viral or bacterial and can warn the parents of the other children.

Something else I say to parents when a sickness is getting out of hand - I'm here to protect all the chidren and you wouldn't want me to allow another sick child in care to infect YOUR child. So I have to ask you if you could take a sick day with your child to protect the other children.

Well, Mom felt awful when she picked her little one up and heard firsthand how horrible her cough had become over the course of the day and how her eyes looked. We chatted for a minute and I suggested that dcg could use a day of rest with Mommy to get better. I said that I understand if it's not possible, "I know how work is", so it was definitely not an enforced thing. She said that she was going to bring her to the walk in that evening to have everything checked out to rule out infection and that she'd text me later. I guess the walk in was swamped so they turned around and left, and she texted me that she agrees she needs a day of rest. We had a planned outing today, so I'm so glad she was warm and cozy at her Grandmas house instead of playing hard with us. Hope she's feeling better for Monday! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Glad it all worked out for you Lou, sometimes thats all the "both of you" need, a little time to rest. It's not easy to have little "sickies", as much as we love them all.......sickness is draining on everyone involved. :)

I've recomended like that before. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they dont. I simply say

"little johnny had a rough day... a lot of coughing and a constantly runny nose... maybe a day home tomorrow would help him feel a bit better. Let me know tonight if you choose to send him or not"

I'm glad it worked out. Sounds like you're on the same page with this parent and that's what we all hope for!

Glad it worked out for you.

I too will call and give a 'heads up' that they are going downhill with the coping ~ the ole 'They are not sick enough to send them home just yet but wanted to let you know in case you want to make a DR appointment or give your boss the heads up that you might need a day off tomorrow' ~ i know there is nothing worse than showing up at pick up and seeing them so sick and now the DR office is closed, their boss has gone home for the day and so forth ~ if they have a little heads up they can 'plan' for the worse case scenario while hoping for the best!