What are your important issues? Where will you compromise?

[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]

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!!!!

[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....