Vaccinations

[jec]

If you are going to accept the new family do you then have to let the other families in your care know about the change in the contract since they signed on fully knowing that all children would be vaccinated. Some may have very definite opinions too. Just something to think about.

I just wanted to come up with a plan that would cover just this, my own ignorance for putting it in my contract in the first place

[mom-in-alberta]

We have to be sooooo careful about sharing families information. There is such an onus on keeping private information (including medical info) private these days.
If you are looking to change contract stipulations, then I would do it by giving ALL parents the updated info. With or without an explanation of the "why" behind the change; that is up to you. I would steer clear of mentioning that you are going to be accepting a new family whose children are NOT vaccinated, because clearly everyone will know who that is when they start.
Just keep everything very general when it comes to information.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Agreed mom-in-alberta ... I would approach it that you were just reflecting on the 'future' business needs of your contract and realized it was not inclusive to cover what would happen in a family of non-vaxers came along and you wanted to make sure your contract was reflective of any possible scenario so as a result here is the new wording of this policy.

[jec]

We have to be sooooo careful about sharing families information. There is such an onus on keeping private information (including medical info) private these days.
If you are looking to change contract stipulations, then I would do it by giving ALL parents the updated info. With or without an explanation of the "why" behind the change; that is up to you. I would steer clear of mentioning that you are going to be accepting a new family whose children are NOT vaccinated, because clearly everyone will know who that is when they start.
Just keep everything very general when it comes to information.

I agree....a very sensitive topic and confidentality is paramount.

Thanks for all the advice ladies

[Momof4]

This is the reason that if I make a contract change I have all 5 families resign the contract. I want them all to be exactly the same with everyone following the same rules, paying the same rates, well except my part-time rate is higher.

I did have to explain to my newest family who had scheduled shots for their son that I have a family in care who are non-vaxers and that all of my policies are in place for a reason. That's why I made the Friday for vax shots rule. I told the Dad that I have developed the policies over the years and that different people choose me for different reasons but every policy is important.

But I agree that we should never disclose private information from one family to another. There is no way I'm going to let any other family know which one doesn't vax their child, it's their private personal business. I'm the same way with all info the families tell me.

[Sarah]

I, personnally, wouldn't want or feel the need to be informed by my daycare provider that another child is being vaccinated that specific day.

When evaluating a risk, you have to be thinking of all of them. You have to see the big picture there, not only your surrounding.

Everyday, we come in contact with people at work, in the bus, at the coffee shop, at our kids school, through the babysitter that comes home, through her friends, through friends of friends, etc... I think you see what I mean.

There is NO WAY the risk can be lowered enough to be void. So by taking the decision to not vaccinate our kids, we are supposed to know that they WILL be in contact, eventually, with one of those sickness.

This is my personnal view on the subject, but if a daycare provider was to tell me she wanted to know because she wants to nicely inform me, I would disclose the fact that my kids are not vaccinated and I would thank her! I would think it is not necassary, but it does no harm! It is even a nice gesture!

[Inspired by Reggio]

I would not inform my other clients if a child was being vaccinated on any given week - I agree it is none of their business and in our small settings too easy to figure out 'who' was being vaccinated or not. Plus as previous mentioned the risk of passing on something through vaccinations to someone else is VERY VERY rare.

That is not the intent of my policy around ensuring clients are informing ME of vaccinations protocols and updating me on new ones - like Momof4 I feel that I need to know if they have recently received an 'injection' of a vaccine or any other form of medication to be honest specially ones that could have adverse side effects such as vaccines ... I need to be prepared to watch more CLOSELY for those signs if children are going to be in my program after being vaccinated or on a new antibiotic and so forth.

I can also empathize with those who do not want to care for children the proceeding 24 hours of being on a NEW medication or a VACCINE because that is the window that a medical emergency could arise as a result - allergic reaction / adverse side effects.

I also agree that safest place for them to be during that time frame is HOME under close PARENT supervision in case such a medical emergency arises as a result so that they can deal with it best ... while I do recommend vaccination for a Friday for this reason I personally do not have an 'exclusion' period after vaccinations but I do request that parents INFORM me so that I can be prepared for the potential emergency if their child has just been vaccinated.

I also want / need to have a written record of who has been vaccinated or not to be in compliance with Public Health requirements for 'group care settings' should a community outbreak arise and they need to 'notify' families ... this was something that was required of me when I was with an agency and something I have continued even though I am now 'self regulated'.