Hmmmm....Not Sure What To Do

[sahm2three]

My 6 mo dcb has a fever of over 101 now, and I warned mom that he didn't seem well earlier, coloring didn't look right. She was in contact with me until I texted her that his temp was 101 and he needed to go home. I waited about 20 mins and then called the dad. No answer there either. It has been over an hour. The little guy is miserable. I have no one else to call.

[MyAngels]

Oh no, I hope he's ok. That's so young for the parents to be out of contact, especially knowing that he's not feeling well. I take it they don't have a backup emergency contact?

[sahm2three]

Oh no, I hope he's ok. That's so young for the parents to be out of contact, especially knowing that he's not feeling well. I take it they don't have a backup emergency contact?

No, they aren't from here, so it is just the parents. Funny thing is, I was in contact with them until I texted them about him needing to be picked up. So irritating!

[daycare]

No, they aren't from here, so it is just the parents. Funny thing is, I was in contact with them until I texted them about him needing to be picked up. So irritating!

just a word of advice...NEVER take a child that does not have a list of emergency back up care takers. Children will get sick, no way to avoid it and I am sure they will be sick more than most parents have sick days.

I always make sure that my parents inform me of their plans at the time of enrollment for when their child is sick.

I have in my contract that the parents have 1 hour from the time of contact to pick up their kids. After the hour has passed, I charge a fee of $1.00 per min.

[small_steps]

Daycare that's a good policy. I need to put something like that in mine.

[nannyde]

No, they aren't from here, so it is just the parents. Funny thing is, I was in contact with them until I texted them about him needing to be picked up. So irritating!

They are just letting you know that they are fine with you keeping him sick. That's what the silence is about.

You have a really good chance that they doped him before care.

Why were they in contact with you before he got sick? If a parent out of the blue asks how the kid is doing it's a big red flag that they are really checking to see if the medicine wore off yet. Once they know the meds have worn off they stop the contact.

If you texted them and said "just an update... I think little Johnny is teething/allergies/ear infection (any one of these will work). Can I give him some advil? We have him separated and are giving him one to one care. Since it's most likely teething/allergies/ear infection.. you are welcome to keep him here today and as long as he's on advil he can come tomorrow. Just let me know if I can administer it now." they would text RIGHT back. happyface

NEVER notify illness by text or voicemail. If they are sick just put them on constant redial until someone picks up. One call after another and NO voicemail. You need to have them on the phone live with you when you tell them they need to come right away.

[sahm2three]

Ok, FINALLY a response. Over an hour and a half later. Ugh. Dcd is on his way. Ok, so he can't come tomorrow, but I am sure they will try to bring him. He has an older brother, do I allow the brother? I gave him tylenol because he just seemed so miserable, and even after an hour, his temp was still almost 101. Do I tell them he needs to go to the doc or is that telling them how to parent? At 6 months, I would be concerned about 101 temp, right?

[MyAngels]

I got to thinking about this, and I think my next step (assuming they still have not called you back) would be to call the parents' places of employment, and without giving too much information, leave word that their daycare provider is really needs to get ahold of them. I've had to do that once or twice and people seem to go out of their way to track them down when they think it's important.

Oh good - I just saw your post that they finally called back. I'd definitely ask them to check with their doctor, but I've been known to be overly cautious with infants.

[AmyLeigh]

Ok, FINALLY a response. Over an hour and a half later. Ugh. Dcd is on his way. Ok, so he can't come tomorrow, but I am sure they will try to bring him. He has an older brother, do I allow the brother? I gave him tylenol because he just seemed so miserable, and even after an hour, his temp was still almost 101. Do I tell them he needs to go to the doc or is that telling them how to parent? At 6 months, I would be concerned about 101 temp, right?

I would express my concern and say that if he were my child, I would take him to the doctor. Then leave it at that.

[Blackcat31]

Ok, FINALLY a response. Over an hour and a half later. Ugh. Dcd is on his way. Ok, so he can't come tomorrow, but I am sure they will try to bring him. He has an older brother, do I allow the brother? I gave him tylenol because he just seemed so miserable, and even after an hour, his temp was still almost 101. Do I tell them he needs to go to the doc or is that telling them how to parent? At 6 months, I would be concerned about 101 temp, right?

He needs to be fever free for a full 24 hours without any fever reducing meds. So he should be excluded from care for a full 24 hours AFTER his fever is gone. I would exclude brother until parents have ruled out anything contagious. (Which they cannot do with out a Dr. visit.)

I would say "See you all on Monday after Thanksgiving."

[nannyde]

Ok, FINALLY a response. Over an hour and a half later. Ugh. Dcd is on his way. Ok, so he can't come tomorrow, but I am sure they will try to bring him. He has an older brother, do I allow the brother? I gave him tylenol because he just seemed so miserable, and even after an hour, his temp was still almost 101. Do I tell them he needs to go to the doc or is that telling them how to parent? At 6 months, I would be concerned about 101 temp, right?

No attendance tomorrow. He needs to be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication.

I would allow brother.

[bice99]

I had a mom like that this week. Took her 90 minutes to come get her 101.2 degree toddler. That was after I spoke with her on the phone! Well, she owes me $60. In my contract, parents have 30 minutes to have a sick kid picked up. They all work within 7 minutes of my house! And all emergency back ups must live nearby, that's the point of having them.

No, brother cannot come tomorrow per my illness policy. And I'm thinking of following someone's advice (cannot remember who it was) and requiring 48 hour exclusion if they are sent home midday. Gives parents an incentive to keep them home in the first place because then they only have to miss 24 hours.

[cheerfuldom]

you gave him Tylenol? I don't give kids medicine, ever, of any sort

[Blackcat31]

I had a mom like that this week. Took her 90 minutes to come get her 101.2 degree toddler. That was after I spoke with her on the phone! Well, she owes me $60. In my contract, parents have 30 minutes to have a sick kid picked up. They all work within 7 minutes of my house! And all emergency back ups must live nearby, that's the point of having them.

No, brother cannot come tomorrow per my illness policy. And I'm thinking of following someone's advice (cannot remember who it was) and requiring 48 hour exclusion if they are sent home midday. Gives parents an incentive to keep them home in the first place because then they only have to miss 24 hours.

That would be Catherder. BEST advice EVER!!!!!!! ...and it works like a charm.

[Cat Herder]

That would be Catherder. BEST advice EVER!!!!!!! ...and it works like a charm.

Thanks.... It is an ever adapting career... It has changed our whole world for the better, here.