I also do the armpit reading (don't forget to add a degree!) and send a child home for anything above 38.3 C or 100 F. I also like to take the children's temp when they are "normal" so that I know what their average temp is as some kids are just naturally warmer all the time. I write it down on their info sheet and keep on file.

I agree about the teething!! A few parents will try to blame it on that but I don't allow that excuse anymore. I have read that most doctor's say a high fever is not caused by teething anyways. I used to allow a child who was "teething" to stay and would give medication with parental permission. However, it was a 1-2 month cycle of this and I eventually changed my sick policy. Unless it's a prescribed med, I don't give it. I did make an exception for one child because he had a tendency to have seizures if his temp got too high so I would give the first dose but then mom or dad picked him up immediately.

When you are sick and have a fever you want to be home in your own bed right? Most of us, when we worked out of the house, would take the day off or leave work early if we had a fever. I think children deserve to be at home when they are sick too.