Sick policy during outbreak?

[yogamommy]

Hey there Ladies,

I need some thoughts on this:

So I have posted about this in another thread that I've got Hand Foot and Mouth Disease going through my DC but I need some specific advice on how to deal with one mom, so here's the run down:

2 yr old DCB went home with fever on Tuesday with his 4 yr old sister, they came for 1/2 day Wednesday (DCB had Tylenol unknown to me!), back on Thursday no fever, Friday morning I discover that DCB has spots on his feet! Turns out they were exposed to HFMD over the weekend. So far the sister has just been tired, no other symptoms.

1 yr old DCB went home early Wednesday with a fever and was home Thurs and Friday with a fever too. They went to the hospital for a 104 fever and the dr. gave them antibiotics for strep (but did not swab, just checked throat).

My 18 month old DD came down with a fever yesterday and I think she has HFMD spots in her mouth.

So far my 6 yr old DD and DCB have no signs.

So the mom of the 1 yr old wants to keep her son out all next week because she doesn't want him exposed to HFMD while having strep throat. I have made it clear that I am staying open for any child that is fever-free, blister free, and well enough to be here. (I called the health unit and Telehealth and they both said there is no need for exclusion beyond the fever and blister stage).

So I TOTALLY get her reasoning for keeping him home even though I think he has already been exposed (we haven't talked $ yet), but I am unsure whether or not I should still be charging her as it is her choice to stay home? I have a policy on "if the child is sick, you still pay, if I close, you don't pay" but this is in between!! I guess another addition to the contract is due!! I totally feel for her, but this is also my business.

Any advice?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Her choice - he should need to stay out for 48 hours on an antibiotic with the Strep anyway at least with our public health ... anything else above that is HER CHOICE and if I were open I would be expecting to be paid.... if you give her a break now for her 'extra caution' everytime something runs through your program and she wants to keep him home 'just in case' you are going to be expected to 'give her a break' cause she will use this time as a precident!

It is not your fault her child got strep throat, it is not your fault HFM came into the program and IMO your income should not be affected because of it if you are open and able to provide service - if they choose not to come or their child is too ill to come payment should still be expected because they 'space is there for them to occupy' !

[Momof4]

Fees are due at my daycare in full every week no matter what happens except for my vacations. I suggest you have that in your policies and contract because you can't budget otherwise. You are open and ready to work so you deserve to be paid. However, I agree with Reggio that the child should be kept home with strept throat anyway. That's in my sick policies also.

[playfelt]

I would be checking the boy very carefully for spots just in case the sore throat isn't strep since the doctor didn't test. He could very well have the same as the others. Just a little bit of a coincidence that he gets a sore throat just at the same time others get sick with a disease that causes a red sore throat.

He has already been exposed so it is too late to prevent that. I would be staying open and especially since health unit/telehealth said okay. If she chooses to keep him at home that is her choice but you are open and payment is due.

[Lou]

He has already been exposed so it is too late to prevent that. I would be staying open and especially since health unit/telehealth said okay. If she chooses to keep him at home that is her choice but you are open and payment is due.

^^^This! Good luck, I hope she doesn't give you any trouble!

[yogamommy]

Thank you ladies for all your help! It turned into a bit of a battle, but she finally came over and we talked about it like two civil adults (wow! amazing that this cannot be done with all parents!) and as it turns out my DD has it bad and I am going to close for a few days anyway - the mom was more frustrated with the fact that I was unsure whether or not I was closing (since I hadn't talked to the health unit yet at that point) and the dad took the week off just in case - now they are stuck with him off and still able to take him in - I get it. And lesson learned, to not inform the parents until I have made my decision on closing.

She agreed that payment should still be due whether they want to take him in or not (which was the goal of the conversation from my point of view).

Thanks again!

[Momof4]

Yogamommy, don't feel bad, there is definitely a learning curve to this job. It isn't easy until you get all your policies in place and know how to handle everything and even after several years in business new things happen all the time.

[sunnydays]

I totally agree with Playfelt here!!! My son was diagnosed with strep throat and put on antibiotics (no swab) and then it turned out to be HFM...it looks the same...white spots in the throat, painful swallowing, fever...until the spots show up on the hands and feet!

I would be checking the boy very carefully for spots just in case the sore throat isn't strep since the doctor didn't test. He could very well have the same as the others. Just a little bit of a coincidence that he gets a sore throat just at the same time others get sick with a disease that causes a red sore throat.

He has already been exposed so it is too late to prevent that. I would be staying open and especially since health unit/telehealth said okay. If she chooses to keep him at home that is her choice but you are open and payment is due.