DCK with broken collar bone

So I received a text this morning to say 19mth dcb had broken his collar bone and would be staying home all week. I am calling mom at naptime to find out more surrounding the incident and I imagine to make plans moving forward for safe care of her son.

I wanted to pick peoples brains prior to speaking to her this afternoon about peoples thoughts and experiences with caring for children with broken bones. If it were my child I would plonk them on the sofa away from all the other kids but this isn't my child. I think the risk of being bumped is pretty big when this boy is playing in the daycare room with 3 other rambunctious boys and I worry about the consequences of his injury being jarred.

Should I be insisting on the child staying at home longer....a week doesn't seem even remotely long enough, or do I just say that if he comes he will be separated from the rest of the group to minimize the risk of further injury? My daycare space can not be separated into two so its not like I can give him a decent separate space to play in. The more I think about it, the more I consider the limitations for the group. Walking in the quad stroller going over bumps etc is going to hurt this child right? Or am I overthinking things? It isn't a question of "great one less child" because I'm still working anyway, I'm just thinking realistically if his injury will restrict the activities of the group enough to be a problem, e.g restricting outdoor time, and whether I can keep this child safe during his recovery period.

What are your thoughts/experiences on how I should proceed??

A broken collar bone doesn't get a cast just a sling so it will be up to the child to determine his comfort level in the sense that he can use it as soon as he feel able I think. My daughter's was only cracked but she was only in real pain at the very beginning.

I had a little girl with a broken collar bone and another with a broken leg. Both were fine. They gauged their own comfort levels with play. Of course, we discussed it as a group (the kids and I) during circle time and talked about the need for being careful. I did a similar thing before my surgery, explaining to the kids what was going to happen and performed a little surgery on an IKEA doll and drew stitches on all the kids. Worked like a charm. They all took care of the doll and were very gentle with me following my surgery. It's amazing how sensitive and intuitive the little guys are :) This daycare would be ripped apart....except the doll in it's little bed. It always sat, undisturbed. I'd see kids going over now and then to pull the doll's blanket up and kiss it's forehead. You could probably do something similar with your kids to help them understand the need to be more gentle.

I had a 16/17 month dcb who had a broken arm and was in a cast. His parents put a sling on as well and he came to dc and was fine. He was in a bit of pain obviously but actually did very good at playing!! The other kids were very careful of him and it was a good teachable moment of we have to be aware of others around us.

Just a side note then.....2 of my 3 other dckids are 12 & 13mths and can not comprehend the meaning of gentle. Talking to them about this is like talking to a brick wall, they just aren't able to understand at this stage. They are already going through a swatting stage where we are working on hands off play and they are rough and tumble kiddos. One is cruising too which I also have to watch out for because he will grab hold of anything, even if its another child. For the most part I can shadow them and I cant see it being a huge issue. What do you guys think about outdoor restrictions such as walks in the stroller?

Personally, 19 months is a bit young for me to trust them to be careful with it. Especially considering it's a collarbone - as others have said, it doesn't get a cast, and they can be difficult to heal unless the child keeps it still. It's easy for a child that age to get excited about playing and forget that they are hurt.

I might suggest mom see about having a grandparent or friend (with fewer kids) watch him for a few weeks. If there's no chance for back up, I'd take him, but strongly suggest he take a bit of a break.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

I had a 16/17 month dcb who had a broken arm and was in a cast. His parents put a sling on as well and he came to dc and was fine. He was in a bit of pain obviously but actually did very good at playing!! The other kids were very careful of him and it was a good teachable moment of we have to be aware of others around us.

---

I think being in a cast would be easier than just in a sling and a broken collar bone is very different than a broken limb.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2cuteboys

Personally, 19 months is a bit young for me to trust them to be careful with it. Especially considering it's a collarbone - as others have said, it doesn't get a cast, and they can be difficult to heal unless the child keeps it still. It's easy for a child that age to get excited about playing and forget that they are hurt.

I might suggest mom see about having a grandparent or friend (with fewer kids) watch him for a few weeks. If there's no chance for back up, I'd take him, but strongly suggest he take a bit of a break.

---

This was my initial feeling to be honest.

It's up to you but I would still take the child and adjust our days accordingly. If you're not wanting to do this than you could ask the parents to find alternate care until the collar bone is healed. Would you still charge for these days though? Might be something worth considering putting into your contract or sick policy for future in case it happens again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

It's up to you but I would still take the child and adjust our days accordingly. If you're not wanting to do this than you could ask the parents to find alternate care until the collar bone is healed. Would you still charge for these days though? Might be something worth considering putting into your contract or sick policy for future in case it happens again.

---

Why wouldn't I charge for the days they were away?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bright sparks

Why wouldn't I charge for the days they were away?

---

My thought with this is because I have nothing in my contract or sick policy that addresses broken bones etc, it kinda leaves it open to the parents to decide if they send their child. If the child is in too much pain to complete a full day at dc than I do have that in my sick policy and wouldn't feel bad about asking them to stay home and still charging them. I don't know what your sick policy covers though so that is why I asked. Your situation makes me aware that I should maybe add in a blurb about broken bones etc.

Two of my kids broke their collar bones .... My oldest daughter when she was two ...she refused to wear a sling and I don't remember ever having a problem .... She would hold her arm bent but this was 20 years ago so my memory is fading a bit and my oldest son broke his just as we were leaving for Florida .... He was three and would wear the sling .... We were driving to Florida so by the time we got there ( 3 days ) he took the sling off and never complained once about his shoulder. So I would think after a full week at home he will be just fine and no major precautions will be needed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

My thought with this is because I have nothing in my contract or sick policy that addresses broken bones etc, it kinda leaves it open to the parents to decide if they send their child. If the child is in too much pain to complete a full day at dc than I do have that in my sick policy and wouldn't feel bad about asking them to stay home and still charging them. I don't know what your sick policy covers though so that is why I asked. Your situation makes me aware that I should maybe add in a blurb about broken bones etc.

---

I understand what you are saying. I could add to my sickness policy year after year with a never ending list of reasons and I find it much easier for myself and very clear for all parents to understand by simply stating that if for any reason your child does not attend daycare and I am open for business then full fees are due. It makes it much easier to understand and prevents parents from finding any loopholes not to pay. If I take time off for any reason, no payment. If you take time off for any reason, full payment. Sometimes simplicity makes things easier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Crayola kiddies

Two of my kids broke their collar bones .... My oldest daughter when she was two ...she refused to wear a sling and I don't remember ever having a problem .... She would hold her arm bent but this was 20 years ago so my memory is fading a bit and my oldest son broke his just as we were leaving for Florida .... He was three and would wear the sling .... We were driving to Florida so by the time we got there ( 3 days ) he took the sling off and never complained once about his shoulder. So I would think after a full week at home he will be just fine and no major precautions will be needed.

---

Interesting...that's very helpful, thank you.

I had a 3 yo boy break his collar bone last year. He came back to care a few days later, and it was really no big deal. Mom is extremely laid back and said that yes, he just has to do his best to favour the arm but not to worry too much. I asked her if she wanted me to have him refrain from any activities and she said no, just to calm him down if he gets too excitable. DCB naturally favoured the bad side, and he did have falls and scuffles, etc, and I always told Mom about it at the end of the day but really a child can trip and fall anywhere...not just at daycare. So, in my experience it worked out just fine, so I would just go with it.

Your welcome !!!!

Thanks for all the feedback ladies. Knowing that this type of injury doesn't involve a cast just had me questioning how this would actually work in a home daycare's unique environment and I feel much better about talking to mum about things this afternoon now. :)

Also maybe set up a table where child can go and rest his arm on a pad for a bit to take the pressure off it if he wants to but put it in an out of the way space so it is like a safe area for him. Even little ones soon comprehend XXX has a booboo on his arm and we have to not touch.

Great idea playfelt.

I spoke with mum and I am so glad I got some insight on here prior to doing so. If I had verbalized my shock and concerns initially with her I think I would have just fed into her anxiety and fear on the situation. Mum is keeping him home for the week and after that we are going to take things 1 day at a time. After 1 week here he will have his sling off which makes mum nervous and me too to be honest, but again we will just be cautious and see how he goes. I think he will be fine with some minor adjustments and if he is in to much discomfort and can't partake in the days activities, for the most part, then I will call parents for a pick up. This approach really seemed to reassure mum that I would use my best judgement in keeping him safe during the day while not down playing his needs and assuring her that I would be calling if it would be a better alternative for him to be at home.