What are your important issues? Where will you compromise?

[Amateur Owner]

I agree with giraffe and Emilys4Guppies, you did the right thing. BTW thanks for reassurance Tot-Time...being really new at this makes decisions hard sometimes!

[ceECE]

I find that I am always pointing out my policies on sick children. They come with a spoonful of medicine all ready ingested, and a fever appears a few hours later. If they have a fever, need med.'s to breathe (sinus) or full faucet, have diarreah, or threw up in the night, they are too sick to come! Subs are hard to find here. If I get too sick to work, I have to close the whole centre!

[FS2011]

I find that I am always pointing out my policies on sick children. They come with a spoonful of medicine all ready ingested, and a fever appears a few hours later. If they have a fever, need med.'s to breathe (sinus) or full faucet, have diarreah, or threw up in the night, they are too sick to come! Subs are hard to find here. If I get too sick to work, I have to close the whole centre!

I have a point in my illness policy about parents being dishonest about the Childs sickness and that I have the right to terminate care if I believe this is happening. You may consider making your sickness policy really strict. That said I still find it hard to confront the parent when this is the case!

[Amateur Owner]

My DCK has a cold/runny nose (colored, not clear!) and has started coughing...where do you draw the line and say 'sorry I can't take him like this today'? Is it only when they have a fever? He is a toddler so expecting him not to put things in his mouth is out of the question...he is rubbing his nose with his hand if I don't catch it in time. Granted I only have my own toddler apart from him, but I do not want him getting sick, nor myself! Plus it's the weekend, so I don't want them thinking this is a ploy to have a day off - it is NOT!I like this parent too and we get along well...any suggestions?

[horsegirl]

Hi Jenn-FSFCC--I like your policy in regards to parents being dishonest about the child's sickness. It has happened to me also, where parents will give medication to the child before they come and not tell me that they have a fever. A few hours later the child is feverish and vomiting. I have had parents say that they cannot get to the daycare because they cannot get off work and that there emergency contact cannot get the child. I let them know that I need someone to pick up the child within 1 hour, if not I will contact the Ministry and they can come for the child. Even though the Ministry will not do this the parents do not know and the parents are very good next time about bringing their child when they are sick.
One of the points in my wellness/illness policy states that if the child has a runny nose and eyes or mouth that the child may not attend the childcare. I also have a poem that I put on the front door during winter months:
Mary had a little lamb
She also had the flu
When she can to daycare
The others got it too.
So if your Mary is sick
Please keep her home with you
And everyone in the daycare
Will be healthier and happier too.
I usually don't have to say anything to the parents when they see this poem. Try it, it may help you.

[Play and Learn]

My DCK has a cold/runny nose (colored, not clear!) and has started coughing...where do you draw the line and say 'sorry I can't take him like this today'? Is it only when they have a fever?

I state in my manual if they have a fever (besides teething) they have to stay at home. If the snot is coloured, they stay at home. The kid is sick and needs their mommy/daddy, not the caregiver!

My almost 2 yr old was sneezing and had a runny nose yesterday, but clear. She felt warm, but no fever. Just had lots of rest time and cuddles, and today she's as new! But if she had that fever, I would have called her parents to come and take her home. No point in getting my 1 yr old and myself or hubby sick. If I'm sick (which I was on Tuesday with the Flu), I close my daycare - so no care....

[Play and Learn]

I also have a poem that I put on the front door during winter months:
Mary had a little lamb
She also had the flu
When she can to daycare
The others got it too.
So if your Mary is sick
Please keep her home with you
And everyone in the daycare
Will be healthier and happier too.
I usually don't have to say anything to the parents when they see this poem. Try it, it may help you.

I'm going to use that - so cute and clever horsegirl!!! If the parents refuse pick up, I demand more money!!!!

[Amateur Owner]

I called the parent and they picked him up just before nap...he seemed warm but no fever as such. Still very run-down looking...I think the parent felt bad that they brought him, seemed fine when he woke up! Oh well, hopefully something learned from this
horsegirl, love the poem!!!

[Sunflower]

Nothing is negotiable . Nothing lol. I also spent a long time perfecting my "rules and regulations " and that's how it is. I make things VERY clear before anyone signs a contract and those who don't play along have to find a new daycare. It may sound harsh but I have a very good track record so far. I have very rarely been forced to ask someone to leave.
If you give an inch, they take a mile... in my experience. Right now I have great parents and no issues. Even when they are sick, the parents always keep them home for a couple days just to be safe : )
In general the parents know that is the child can not keep up with the others they will be called to come get them. Fever or no fever.
(great poem horsegirl !)

[Isawitfirst]

I have had to change my operating hours over the years. I don't mind if hours extend to 6:00 as many of the families here use the Go train to Toronto (I do charge an extended day fee however). I find later easier than earlier. Payment issues I do not change. It becomes important to review policies when you enter a dry period. Not to go on a rant again but the all-day Kindergarten might force some changes.