Sometimes the rest of the family does not get ill, just the one member. I will not accept a child if they are sick, or show signs of illness as per my contract. I will not accept a child if they have a cold and have green/yellow or clear mucous running from their nose.

Some parents have gotten annoyed and have made comments that they can't take time from work. The same parents have taken a couple of days off from work to have a date with their spouse at the beach and lunch, to go shopping accross the border and to do Christmas shopping, just to name a few. They drop their child off and off they go for a fun day. When their child has to stay home because of illness I politely remind them that sometimes we have to save up our holidays/sick days from work so that we can look after our little ones when they are sick, because this is a more important job than they will every have.

I have even had parents drop off children that look a little pale and lethargic. When I ask the parents if their child is ok they answer yes I think he is just a little tired. Four hours later he has a high fever. Upon phoning the parents for pick up they tell me that the Tylenol must have worn off. I pack up the child for pick up, gave the parents a letter of termination and send them on their way. Most parents are very good about not bringing them even when they have a cold, but you get the odd few that try to sway the system to fit their needs. It doesn't work here.