Sending sick kids home Policy

[smileyface]

Hi all!

I was just wondering what your policy is on diarrhea? One of my dck has had 2 bouts of diarrhea this morning... would you call parents to pick up the child? I normally have a no diarrhea for 24 hours policy. He is playing normal, but within 4 hours, he's had two really full diarrhea diapers. I'm just wondering if I should call parents to pick up or just keep him here? He does look pale, but is in a fine mood.

[dodge__driver11]

I call after 3 lose bm's and dck must stay home until diareah passes (specifically 24 hours after symptoms pass)

[smileyface]

That sounds more than reasonable! I was thinking of that too! I think if he has another diarrhea diaper today, I will be saying something. At that point, 3 diarrhea diapers must mean he is sick.

[apples and bananas]

Hmmm.... tough call. If they ran outside of the diaper then yes I would call. There's a contamination risk there. If it's contained in the diaper and it's just been 2 then that could be food related. I don't think I would call just yet. If his behaviour changes, doesn't want to eat or drink or continues with diarhea then i would call the parent to come get him. The fact that you think he's looking pale might concern me. I may try to get some water into him.

[dodge__driver11]

My illness Policy is this :

Child Illness
Your child may be brought to care if they have a common cold (which means a slight cough, clear runny nose, sneezing); however I will call you if your child is just plain miserable (whining, crying, repeatedly asking for you). Your child should not attend if they are not feeling well enough to participate in our daily activities (i.e. a child wanting to sleep all day, lay on the couch and watch TV etc.)

The Health Department regulations prohibit the admittance of any child into a family childcare home that exhibits any of the following symptoms:

Fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit , 37.7 degrees Celsius or higher)- child needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
Diarrhea- child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
Vomiting- child must be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication
Runny nose with coloured discharge- check with doctor
Rash- check with doctor
Discharge from eyes or ears
Lice- child needs to be treated and nits removed before return

Communicable diseases- chicken pox, measles, mumps, conjunctivitis (pink eye), influenza etc. The child may return when the incubation and contagious period is passed and the child is well enough to resume normal childcare activities. If your child(ren) has/have come in contact with or contract a communicable disease medical documentation from a medical professional will be required before your child can return to the dayhome.

Note about fevers: Please do not send your child to care if they have a fever. If you have administered Tylenol to reduce or eliminate a fever the child still may not attend. A fever is an indication that the body is trying to fight an illness/infection. Children must be free from fever without Tylenol before returning to care. If you bring your child to care with fever, your child will not be accepted into care that day. Your child must be fever free without the aide of medication for 24 hours. IF IT IS DISCOVERED THAT ANY ILLNESS IS MASKED WITH MEDICATION OR THAT A FAMILY HAS BEEN DECEPTIVE ABOUT ILLNESS YOUR FAMILY WILL BE TERMINATED.

[sunnydays]

I send kids home after 2 bouts of diahrea as that is what the public health guidelines state. By diahrea, I mean it has to be liquid, not just a looser BM but really liquid and normally diahrea is accompanied by a really terrible smell as well. At that point, even if the child is playing and eating normally, I send them home because I can't be sure that it is not contagious. And they must stay home until 24 hours diahrea free...plus whatever portion of the daycare day is left (ex. if I send child home at 11am Monday, and child has no more diahrea after that, child may not return at 11am on Tuesday, but must wait until the following daycare day).

[Sandbox Sally]

I send and have sent children home with diarrhea. I don't do diarrhea. It's an extremely good way to transmit gastro viruses. They must be 24 hours free from diarrhea before they come back. I just updated my sick policy.

[Fun&care]

I would say that the diarrhea should be liquid, not just softer than usual. Check his temperature too, if its a little high then call the parents.

[playfelt]

If it stays in the diaper then the child can stay. Also consistency is important - soft, mushy, is fine but green and mucousy is not.

[mom-in-alberta]

I was going to clarify what Sunny said... There is a difference between diarreah (specific texture and appearance, as well as being gawdawful smelly) and loose stool (which could be teething, diet or stress).
If it's honest to goodness diarreah, then twice is once too many times for me. They get to go home if it happens more than one time while with me in a day. Yuck.