Need opinoins - frustrated and don't know what to do

[Sandbox Sally]

I beg to differ...croup is EXTREMELY contagious, and can be very dangerous. My son lost consciousness from lack of oxygen as a result of croup. His oxygen saturations were so low that he was hospitalized for four days and placed on a nebulizing mask.

If a child has a barking cough and is struggling for air (that's what that hoarsness sound was when he was breathing in air), one should treat this as an emergency, and insist that his parents come immediately. It means his airway is compromised. If, for whatever reason they don't come and get him, I would transport him to a hospital myself. It is my firm belief that whenever a child is having breathing issues, there is no such thing as an overreaction.

I would not accept the child back into care until he had doctor's clearance. But...hindsight is 20/20 as they say. As for how to go about it, you just say so. "I am sorry, I am uncomfortable accepting DCK back into my care until he's been seen and cleared by a doctor, and I'm going to need confirmation of that in writing. I'm sorry, but I have other children to think about, and I'm sure you'd appreciate the same if it was another DCK".

[jazmic]

"I am sorry, I am uncomfortable accepting DCK back into my care until he's been seen and cleared by a doctor, and I'm going to need confirmation of that in writing. I'm sorry, but I have other children to think about, and I'm sure you'd appreciate the same if it was another DCK".

This is great advice. I would probably say this word for word.

[apples and bananas]

I beg to differ...croup is EXTREMELY contagious, and can be very dangerous. My son lost consciousness from lack of oxygen as a result of croup. His oxygen saturations were so low that he was hospitalized for four days and placed on a nebulizing mask.

If a child has a barking cough and is struggling for air (that's what that hoarsness sound was when he was breathing in air), one should treat this as an emergency, and insist that his parents come immediately. It means his airway is compromised. If, for whatever reason they don't come and get him, I would transport him to a hospital myself. It is my firm belief that whenever a child is having breathing issues, there is no such thing as an overreaction.

I would not accept the child back into care until he had doctor's clearance. But...hindsight is 20/20 as they say. As for how to go about it, you just say so. "I am sorry, I am uncomfortable accepting DCK back into my care until he's been seen and cleared by a doctor, and I'm going to need confirmation of that in writing. I'm sorry, but I have other children to think about, and I'm sure you'd appreciate the same if it was another DCK".

I aggree... if a child is haveing trouble breathing that's an emergency. And you're right, I've looked it up and Croup is contagious. Just about as contagious as the common cold.

So, I guess I would go back to my policies on this one. If a child is not running a fever and can participate in normal activities then I would allow them into care.

The only place i would have questioned the health of the child is the barky, raspy cough. However, without a fever, it would be hard to determine if it's something I would send the child home for.

[Mamma_Mia]

I would not accept the child back into care until he had doctor's clearance. But...hindsight is 20/20 as they say. As for how to go about it, you just say so. "I am sorry, I am uncomfortable accepting DCK back into my care until he's been seen and cleared by a doctor, and I'm going to need confirmation of that in writing. I'm sorry, but I have other children to think about, and I'm sure you'd appreciate the same if it was another DCK".

Yup exactly!!
I'd have no problem telling the parents (in your case of a constant 'sickness') that come Monday morning you'd need to see a doctors note before caring for the child. As a mom of a little on in the house too I see and KNOW where you're coming from. Sorry, I know all kids get sick and it's bound to happen in group care but in MY house with MY child I make up the rules as to how much I will allow.