Kid that's always sick

[loulou]

I have one boy who is constantly sick. He always has a crusted face, green snot dripping down past his mouth, is always coughing, and often has a rash. It's really starting to bug me because the other kids will get sick then get better then get it again. I have got his mom to bring him to the DR's a couple of times for the rash to prove it isn't contagious. She always says the snot is because of teething but the other symptoms just don't add up and it's constant. I always have boogers all over my house and clothes from him. I think it's bothering me the most now because it's my families time off and my son is sick with a cold from him.
My contract allows kids to come who have a cold as long as it isn't serious/ they don't have a fever. But I'm not sure what I should do about this constant sickness! It's been likes this since he started in June. His Mom never gives him anything for it either
Anyone have any experience with this?

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Ugh....it's parents like this that just drive you to drink ! I've had two kids like this. One is no longer with me, and the other one just started up this fall. Just last week his parents brought him to daycare the day after he went to see his doctor, and was diagnosed with an ear infection. They brought his Amoxicillan and everything - expecting me to medicate him while he's here. Bold as brass. Sure - 2 days before Xmas holidays - come to daycare and share your bugs so that four other families can (potentially) have sick babies for Christmas. Sheesh ! For your situation, if you're lucky and the child has been taken to a doctor and diagnosed as sick, I think the best thing you could do would be to word your sick policy in such a way that it states a child receiving antibiotic treatment for something must have been taking antibiotics for a designated period of time (24 or 48 hours - whatever you decide on) before they can return. If it's just general mucus and other stuff, or if you have nothing solid that you can clearly identify as "sick" (as opposed to "oh he's just tired today" or "he's teething") I would simply tell the parents at pick up "I'm sorry, but Baby X is just miserable today - you can see his nose is really running. When he is this bad, he needs to be at home. Why don't you plan on bringing him back on "Thursday" after he's had a couple of days to rest ?" Clearly identify to the parents what symptoms are causing you concern, and explain why. This way, they can't plead ignorance Why do they even try this stuff on ? Anyways - once you've explained to them what a sick baby looks like, and it will allow you in the future to bar the child from your daycare without the parents claiming "that's not fair !" or you feeling guilty (hopefully) Sadly though, if this is just a "sicky" kind of kid, the parents will likely continue to bring him when he shouldn't be there. My advice - start looking for a replacement for him.

[Crayola kiddies]

Generally ear infections are not contagious and I would admit a child into care with an ear infection and I also administer dr prescribed medications I will not administer tylenol/advil. My illness policy states no "colored mucus" coming from nose, ears, or eyes is permitted in daycare. However if it's just a little then I will over look it but if it's a constant double barreled stream of green snot coming from the child then I will ask them to stay at home for a day or two to clear it up. But if I asked every parent to keep their kid at home that had a runny nose or cough I wouldn't have anyone all winter

[apples and bananas]

Are you certain it's a cold and not allergies?

I'm not sure how old this child is, but my daughter, who is 8, has a runny nose from September until at least Jan. Some days it's gross and some days it's clear, but we can never seem to get it to go away.

It may just be seasonal allergies and for that there's really nothing you can do just deal with it.

I keep a bib on my little ones that have runny noses. That way I can wipe quick and move on. When it gets too yucky I change to a new one.

[Serendipity]

I agree that it can be gross and a bit daunting to have to constantly be cleaning up after him however I do think that for some kids, a constant running nose (colored or not) is just part of childhood. Especially during the winter months.

I also think that if you feel his behavior warrants a day or two of rest then tell the parents he cannot return to care until then. I wouldn't term a kid soley based on the fact that they have a constant runny nose as I do think there is a difference between actually being sick and just having a constant runny nose.

My policy states that unless a child has diagnosed allergies, they must see a doctor after having a continuously runny nose for more than 7 days. So this little guy would be seeing a for sure. I also dont allow the doctor to tell parents when a child can return to care. I decide that. I only want the doctor to either diagnose and illness or rule one out.

If you feel the constant runny nose and the associated cleaning is too much for you then term.