I not only have 24 hour symptom free before returning to daycare, but a couple of years ago I also added to my contract that they had to call and get the all clear from me to bring their child back. I had numerous parents trying to shave hours off because their child was "fine by lunch time" so they would bring their child back the following day.

Also I find it very clear when a child's illness is masked and I do not find that ibuprofen lasts longer than 4-6 hours in a child's system. If they are in fact ill, it tends to not last that long as their system burns it off.

It is so obvious when a child has been masked because there is no gradual onset of illness that a child would generally have if they started to come down with something at daycare. You can literally set a clock by them when the meds wear off and the child deteriorates at a rapid rate. I have zero tolerance for this and there are no second chances. It is highlighted in bold in my contract that this will result in immediate termination with no notice and loss of deposit. No I can't prove they did 100%, but they can't prove they didn't either. I am very upfront about this policy prior to signing so they know what the potential consequences are should they not follow the rule. I've only done it once and don't take the policy lightly. I don't typically have issues with my policies in recent years since during the signing meeting I read each policy word for word, discuss it in length with parents and answer any questions and queries. They then initial each policy agreeing. It takes more time initially for sure, but then there is absolutely no grounds for a parent to say they didn't know the policy properly which they can try to use as an excuse if the contract has been just emailed or hasn't been gone through thoroughly.

You need to put your foot down dcmomma. What are the policies for if they aren't enforced!? Your house, your business, your rules, so the book stops at you. If they are coming in to daycare already ill, then simply stop accepting them. Getting ill at daycare and when there isn't any masking involved is very different and isn't intentional or within anyone's control. If they are masking, then I would terminate but if the child is ill at the door, then turn them away.