Messy Diapers

[daycare123]

Hi I am new here. I have a small in home daycare legally unlicensed. I sent a little girl home yesterday for having 4 diahrreah diapers in 2.5 hours. Last night mom text and asked if she could come for 3 hours this afternoon. I said as long as she is over the messy diapers. Well I text her this morning and she had one bad diaper so i told the mom i prefered she not come back till she is not having them anymore. Did i do the right thing? Might also add child is not eating and drinking normal. What is everyones policy regarding a situation like this. Would you give them a break on payment. She is part time?
Thanks

[MrsB]

First of all welcome! I think you will find us all accross the board on this one.

I am more of a stick to the rules kinda person. My sick policy is cannot return until 24 hours after the symptoms ceases (without medication). So I would not allow her back the following day either. I get payment in advance for the week and I dont reimburse for sick days or allow them to make up the missed day later. I usually call mom after the 2nd runny diaper, unless it has the "sick" smell and they have other sick symptoms. I also tell them if the child is too irritable or can't keep up with the normal flow eventhough they may not have any of the other symptoms, I can exclude them as not feeling well too.

I did just give a perk to my parents, because generally they are all so good. I allow them one sick day per month. Where if they call me before their shift starts whether it be just a family day or because child is sick, I will let them reduce their next payment by their daily rate. That day has to be used that month, can't be accumulated. But I let them know if it is abused or too many problems, i will take it out.

[Soupyszoo]

Welcome!

Kudos to mom for telling you the truth about her morning!

Anytime there's diarreaha, vomitting, thick snot, nasty cough I get just like this. I feel uncertain about what I should do. It's usually because I know what I SHOULD do, but hate to inconvenience the parents. Mostly because I am also a parent and sympathize with them, UKWIM.

The advice I've gotten from this forum is perfect. Basically, "sick kids, even mildly sick should be home resting with mommy and or daddy." If you get sick then no one gets daycare! And my other favorite, that I'm practicing, "don't let their problems become yours!"

[daycare123]

Yeah i just feel bad cause she was only here 1 day last week as per her mom's mom came to town to visit and now she is missing time here this week too. But yep she was very honest and understanding with me about it!

[e.j.]

For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision. My policy is the child can return to day care 24 hours after the last bout of diarrhea. I would have done the same thing you did.