Children With NO Vaccinations!

[HappyEverAfter]

My policy is that if I am considering enrolling a child who is unvaccinated that I will notify other parents and see if they are okay with it. If the majority of parents are okay about it, I will enroll the unvaccinated child. If majority are not okay with it then I would not enroll the child.
Personally, after years of working in holistic healthcare, I don’t believe all vaccines are necessary but for the sake of my business, I’ll make enrollment decisions based off the best interests of my current families. I’ve got several great families right now and I’d hate to lose one of them because I enrolled an unvaccinated child.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

My policy is that if I am considering enrolling a child who is unvaccinated that I will notify other parents and see if they are okay with it. If the majority of parents are okay about it, I will enroll the unvaccinated child. If majority are not okay with it then I would not enroll the child.
Personally, after years of working in holistic healthcare, I don’t believe all vaccines are necessary but for the sake of my business, I’ll make enrollment decisions based off the best interests of my current families. I’ve got several great families right now and I’d hate to lose one of them because I enrolled an unvaccinated child.

This is an old post, but I just wanted to recommend that you don't ask your other families for permission in enrolling an unvaccinated child. I would think that would be a breach of confidentiality in some way. Since you are talking about their medical records, and the other families will obviously know which child it is, I guess I would just be hesitant or very careful about doing that. Besides the privacy issue, once they know which child it is, they may blame them if illness spreads around the daycare. Also, once you give them a say in enrolling a child, they may still think they have a say in that decision a year down the road, if anything changes in their opinion. Also, if their children are vaccinated, they have very little reason to be concerned in terms of them getting sick. The unvaccinated child would be at the slightly higher risk level, not their children. Anyway, that's just my advice, Just so it doesn't backfire on you.

[Rockgirl]

This is an old post, but I just wanted to recommend that you don't ask your other families for permission in enrolling an unvaccinated child. I would think that would be a breach of confidentiality in some way. Since you are talking about their medical records, and the other families will obviously know which child it is, I guess I would just be hesitant or very careful about doing that. Besides the privacy issue, once they know which child it is, they may blame them if illness spreads around the daycare. Also, once you give them a say in enrolling a child, they may still think they have a say in that decision a year down the road, if anything changes in their opinion. Also, if their children are vaccinated, they have very little reason to be concerned in terms of them getting sick. The unvaccinated child would be at the slightly higher risk level, not their children. Anyway, that's just my advice, Just so it doesn't backfire on you.

I agree 100%!

[Ac114]

This is an old post, but I just wanted to recommend that you don't ask your other families for permission in enrolling an unvaccinated child. I would think that would be a breach of confidentiality in some way. Since you are talking about their medical records, and the other families will obviously know which child it is, I guess I would just be hesitant or very careful about doing that. Besides the privacy issue, once they know which child it is, they may blame them if illness spreads around the daycare. Also, once you give them a say in enrolling a child, they may still think they have a say in that decision a year down the road, if anything changes in their opinion. Also, if their children are vaccinated, they have very little reason to be concerned in terms of them getting sick. The unvaccinated child would be at the slightly higher risk level, not their children. Anyway, that's just my advice, Just so it doesn't backfire on you.

Exactly this!! I would be extremely upset if I knew my provider talk about my child’s medical records with anyone besides myself or my husband. It’s no ones business.

[Unregistered]

I heard of this, but what religions do this? Do other parents have the right to know about this?

Legally you or state are not allowed to ask about religion. All they have to say is they object due to their religion. They don't have to state what religion it is. No other parents don't have a right to know.

[HappyEverAfter]

This is an old post, but I just wanted to recommend that you don't ask your other families for permission in enrolling an unvaccinated child. I would think that would be a breach of confidentiality in some way. Since you are talking about their medical records, and the other families will obviously know which child it is, I guess I would just be hesitant or very careful about doing that. Besides the privacy issue, once they know which child it is, they may blame them if illness spreads around the daycare. Also, once you give them a say in enrolling a child, they may still think they have a say in that decision a year down the road, if anything changes in their opinion. Also, if their children are vaccinated, they have very little reason to be concerned in terms of them getting sick. The unvaccinated child would be at the slightly higher risk level, not their children. Anyway, that's just my advice, Just so it doesn't backfire on you.

I can definitely see how some would feel this way, however, this policy was created at the request of some of my current parents. Their concern was that their daughter is an infant and might not have yet gotten a vaccine for some disease that might be brought in by an older, unvaccinated child. Before I made it policy, I asked the other parents how they would feel about doing it this way and everyone was in favor of it. It’s a one time chance to give an opinion and I would not even hold discussion about dis-enrollment later if they were to change their minds. And as for the privacy of the unvaccinated family, I would inform them during the interview process that enrollment was dependent on my current families being okay with it and I would obtain consent to move forward from there. If the unvaccinated family was at all hesitant in me discussing it with my current families then the interview process would end there. I would never discuss their medical choices without consent just as I would never enroll an unvaccinated child without full disclosure to other parents.

[HappyEverAfter]

Exactly this!! I would be extremely upset if I knew my provider talk about my child’s medical records with anyone besides myself or my husband. It’s no ones business.

Nothing would ever be discussed without obtaining consent to do so during the interview process.

[Blackcat31]

I can definitely see how some would feel this way, however, this policy was created at the request of some of my current parents. Their concern was that their daughter is an infant and might not have yet gotten a vaccine for some disease that might be brought in by an older, unvaccinated child. Before I made it policy, I asked the other parents how they would feel about doing it this way and everyone was in favor of it. It’s a one time chance to give an opinion and I would not even hold discussion about dis-enrollment later if they were to change their minds. And as for the privacy of the unvaccinated family, I would inform them during the interview process that enrollment was dependent on my current families being okay with it and I would obtain consent to move forward from there. If the unvaccinated family was at all hesitant in me discussing it with my current families then the interview process would end there. I would never discuss their medical choices without consent just as I would never enroll an unvaccinated child without full disclosure to other parents.

Do you then also discuss the vaccine dates/times/amounts/etc of the vaccinated children with the non-vaccinated families?

If not, I kind of see your method of managing non-vax'ed families as somewhat discriminatory. Why is their medical situation require any more info sharing than anyone else's?

I understand what you are saying in your post in regards to the not-yet-vax'ed infant but infants usually begin care between 6-8 weeks and immunizations begin about 8 weeks. Also most illnesses have symptoms so if you diligently exclude for those symptoms the likelihood of anything being spread to anyone (vaccinated or not) is slim to none.

I also think those with newborns (fragile or not-yet-developed immune systems) bear a responsibility too....if the parent is truly worried about their baby catching something, they'd best protect baby then by not leaving the house until baby has been fully immunized.

FWIW~ I am pro-vax and don't accept non-vaccinated kids into my program (for medical reasons)...I just feel like the non-vax'ed families really get the short end of things sometimes and I think are often treated unfairly.

[Rockgirl]

I can definitely see how some would feel this way, however, this policy was created at the request of some of my current parents. Their concern was that their daughter is an infant and might not have yet gotten a vaccine for some disease that might be brought in by an older, unvaccinated child. Before I made it policy, I asked the other parents how they would feel about doing it this way and everyone was in favor of it. It’s a one time chance to give an opinion and I would not even hold discussion about dis-enrollment later if they were to change their minds. And as for the privacy of the unvaccinated family, I would inform them during the interview process that enrollment was dependent on my current families being okay with it and I would obtain consent to move forward from there. If the unvaccinated family was at all hesitant in me discussing it with my current families then the interview process would end there. I would never discuss their medical choices without consent just as I would never enroll an unvaccinated child without full disclosure to other parents.

I see your point, but I still think that allowing parents to decide policies is a slippery slope.

I’d suggest having a policy to either accept or not accept unvaccinated children, then let parents decide if they are comfortable enrolling or not.

[HappyEverAfter]

Do you then also discuss the vaccine dates/times/amounts/etc of the vaccinated children with the non-vaccinated families?

If not, I kind of see your method of managing non-vax'ed families as somewhat discriminatory. Why is their medical situation require any more info sharing than anyone else's?

I understand what you are saying in your post in regards to the not-yet-vax'ed infant but infants usually begin care between 6-8 weeks and immunizations begin about 8 weeks. Also most illnesses have symptoms so if you diligently exclude for those symptoms the likelihood of anything being spread to anyone (vaccinated or not) is slim to none.

I also think those with newborns (fragile or not-yet-developed immune systems) bear a responsibility too....if the parent is truly worried about their baby catching something, they'd best protect baby then by not leaving the house until baby has been fully immunized.

FWIW~ I am pro-vax and don't accept non-vaccinated kids into my program (for medical reasons)...I just feel like the non-vax'ed families really get the short end of things sometimes and I think are often treated unfairly.

If a potential non vaccinated family wanted to know if my current families were vaccinated, then yes, I would disclose this information (with consent) because in all fairness the full disclosure goes both ways.

I do have a very strict illness exclusion policy that I stick to religiously so in that regards, my families are as protected as possible.

After seeing the opinions here on my policy, I actually reached out to a couple of my anti-vaccination friends, explained my policy and asked if it seemed offensive or off putting to them and they didn’t have any issue with it at all. For now, I’ll keep it as it is. Changes can always be made down the road if need be.

[Blackcat31]

Before I made it policy, I asked the other parents how they would feel about doing it this way and everyone was in favor of it. It’s a one time chance to give an opinion and I would not even hold discussion about dis-enrollment later if they were to change their minds. And as for the privacy of the unvaccinated family, I would inform them during the interview process that enrollment was dependent on my current families being okay with it and I would obtain consent to move forward from there. If the unvaccinated family was at all hesitant in me discussing it with my current families then the interview process would end there. I would never discuss their medical choices without consent just as I would never enroll an unvaccinated child without full disclosure to other parents.

If a potential non vaccinated family wanted to know if my current families were vaccinated, then yes, I would disclose this information (with consent) because in all fairness the full disclosure goes both ways.

I agree the full disclosure should go both ways...

But I guess I am just having trouble understanding exactly what your vaccinated families are giving permission for?

*For their child to play with a non-vax'ed kid? (the vax'ed kid isn't the one at risk....)
*Permission for the non-vax'ed family to enroll? (that gives clients the idea that THEY get input in someone else's business)

What are they (vax'ed families) asked? ~ "Hey current families.... the Smith family wants to enroll here. Their child, Johnny Smith is not vax'ed. Are you okay with Johnny attending ABC Daycare?"

What if 5 out of 6 of your families are okay with it but one is not? Do you decline enrolling the Smith family then since they aren't vax'ed and your one current family isn't okay with them attending?


I am NOT trying to give you a hard time...as I said before I am pro-vax and don't enroll non-vaccinated kids at all.

I am just trying to wrap my head around how you implement this policy as I've seen/heard alot of different thoughts and ideas in regards to managing the non-vax/vax situation and this is the first time I've ever heard of a policy like yours so just trying to understand it better.

[Play Care]

I agree the full disclosure should go both ways...

But I guess I am just having trouble understanding exactly what your vaccinated families are giving permission for?

*For their child to play with a non-vax'ed kid? (the vax'ed kid isn't the one at risk....)
*Permission for the non-vax'ed family to enroll? (that gives clients the idea that THEY get input in someone else's business)

What are they (vax'ed families) asked? ~ "Hey current families.... the Smith family wants to enroll here. Their child, Johnny Smith is not vax'ed. Are you okay with Johnny attending ABC Daycare?"

What if 5 out of 6 of your families are okay with it but one is not? Do you decline enrolling the Smith family then since they aren't vax'ed and your one current family isn't okay with them attending?


I am NOT trying to give you a hard time...as I said before I am pro-vax and don't enroll non-vaccinated kids at all.

I am just trying to wrap my head around how you implement this policy as I've seen/heard alot of different thoughts and ideas in regards to managing the non-vax/vax situation and this is the first time I've ever heard of a policy like yours so just trying to understand it better.

To my mind, that opens up a whole can of worms. I don't ever want my clients thinking they have any say in who I enroll. And legally I'm fairly sure that telling others about a families health business is some type of privacy violation. I don't think that would fly with licensing.

[CityGarden]

Since this is a very old thread that has been revived, I wanted to update that California no longer accepts personal or religious exemptions for not vaccinating - only medical.

[daycarediva]

I do not accept non vaccinated child into care. Herd immunity is not 100%, most of the kids enrolled aren't FULLY vaccinated yet (2/3 of the series...etc)

I believe my state is medical or religious exemption, with proper documentation.

[racemom]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article205880714.html

Why vaccinations in child care are important.