The cold and flu season can be a challenging time for child care centers, as both parents and daycare staff find themselves missing work due to illnesses that affect everyone. Unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for parents to stay home, given the frequency at which their children fall ill. It’s surprising how many excuses are made to bring a sick child to care, some lacking creativity altogether.
- “He is teething, that’s why he has a cough and runny nose.”
- “It must be allergies; she hasn’t been around anyone sick,” says the parent while stifling a cough.
- “It’s not pink eye; he is just really tired.”
- “I think she is lactose intolerant; that’s why she has such bad gas and a slight fever.”
- “I just need to get through the morning. She only brought up a little bit; she may have eaten too much.”
Children are particularly susceptible to bacteria, viruses, and illnesses, making them sick more often than they are healthy. Preventing these illnesses is challenging, especially in communal places that serve as breeding grounds for various infections. While it’s impossible to completely prevent sick children from attending daycare, efforts are made to discourage parents from bringing them in if they are still infectious, feverish, irritable, or generally uncomfortable. Both children and their parents are encouraged to be honest about their health, fostering a sense of responsibility within the daycare community. However, once a minor illness has spread, and the center is dealing with the aftermath, some rules are relaxed.
Through diligent cleaning with disinfectants, regular hand washing, maintaining good humor, and ensuring plenty of fresh air, child care centers can weather these illnesses and strengthen the children’s immune systems. The kids find humor in their bodily functions, from the infamous “snot rockets” to “bum burps,” maintaining their spirits despite their illnesses. While there is a clear sick policy in place, some parents attempt the “drop and run” tactic or secretly give their child medicine before drop-off. These tactics are ineffective; parents are promptly contacted if a child is suspected of being ill or when the effects of any medicine wear off.
If parents follow the golden rule of “doing unto others,” the spread of colds, strep throat, flu, pinkeye, fifth disease, and other ailments can be minimized. By adhering to this principle, everyone at the daycare can soon return to a happy and healthy environment.