Is this a reasonable policy?

[SilverSabre25]

I'm thinking about adding this to my sick child policy...

"If the ill child is not picked up within one hour from the time of contact, then I will charge $10/hour for sick child care--this covers the extra time it will take to clean and sanitize my home to prevent the spread of illness, as well as any additional cleaning that arises (from vomit, etc)."

I'm not sure if this is reasonable or not...what do you think?

[Blackcat31]

My policy states that families have 45 minutes after I call to pick up a sick child or they will be considered late and the normal late fee of $1 per minute applies.

So no, I don't think it is unreasonable at all.

[Truly Scrumptious]

My families have one hour to pick up sick child or I will start calling everyone on their contact list....if I can't get anyone to answer or come and get the child, then it states that I will call CPS. Needless to say, when I call, parents are there in a jiffy!::

[youretooloud]

I couldn't do that.

But, my parents are all teachers, so it's not really reasonable to expect them to get someone in their classroom, then them over to my house within the hour.

If I was freaking out about it, (say a child was barfing) I think they would find a way. But, most illnesses aren't so serious that I would want them out ASAP anyway.

I get REALLY mad though, when the parents know the child is probably sick, but send them anyway. Fortunately I rarely have that happen, but when it does, I hold a grudge.

[Blackcat31]

I get REALLY mad though, when the parents know the child is probably sick, but send them anyway. Fortunately I rarely have that happen, but when it does, I hold a grudge.

A quick fix for that issue is a super great idea Cat Herder came up with that I use and can attest to the fact that it REALLY does work;

If the child is sick, the parent can keep them home for the day (24 hours)

If a child gets sent home from daycare, exclusion is an automatic 48 hours instead.

Makes parents really think twice before sending a sick kid to care.

You can kind of tell when a kid gets sick at daycare but they weren't really sick in the morning....or vice versa.... kwim?

[justgettingstarted]

My policy states that families have 45 minutes after I call to pick up a sick child or they will be considered late and the normal late fee of $1 per minute applies.

So no, I don't think it is unreasonable at all.

I LOVE this! I think I will be adding this to my contract when I update it this weekend.

[jojosmommy]

I have that exact thing in my handbook. I remind them when I call they have one hour. I also say its from first call not first time I actually reach you. Funny how the people who send sick kids are also "unavailable" whentheir kid is puking like crazy.

[Hunni Bee]

A quick fix for that issue is a super great idea Cat Herder came up with that I use and can attest to the fact that it REALLY does work;

If the child is sick, the parent can keep them home for the day (24 hours)

If a child gets sent home from daycare, exclusion is an automatic 48 hours instead.

Makes parents really think twice before sending a sick kid to care.

You can kind of tell when a kid gets sick at daycare but they weren't really sick in the morning....or vice versa.... kwim?

I was thinking of adding this policy to my handbook, but balked because the norm is 24 (or less!) around here.

Quick question though - if a child gets sent home at 2:00 Monday afternoon, then they can't return til Thursday. But if a kid gets sick at 10:00, they can return on Wednesday at 10, because it has been 48 hours. I would just say the kid that got sick at 10 should stay home two full days but how would you keep parents from nitpicking over this?

[Country Kids]

I was thinking of adding this policy to my handbook, but balked because the norm is 24 (or less!) around here.

Quick question though - if a child gets sent home at 2:00 Monday afternoon, then they can't return til Thursday. But if a kid gets sick at 10:00, they can return on Wednesday at 10, because it has been 48 hours. I would just say the kid that got sick at 10 should stay home two full days but how would you keep parents from nitpicking over this?

Personally I would say for the 10 on Monday morning thing that Wednesday at normal time would be ok. To me that would be two full days home pretty much and I don't want to start the exact time thing. The late afternoon one would be Thursday morning to give them two full days home to rest.

[daycarediva]

My parents that work locally get 30 minutes, then regular late fees apply. Those that work out of town, get their drive time added to that, then late fees apply. I go over this when I call. Recently I had a dcb spike a high fever (104*) within an hour after lunch, it took me 45 minutes to get ahold of Mom, all her emergency contacts didn't answer, I had NO WAY to get this kid tylenol (I am not med certified, and didn't have permission even if I was) I was PISSED when she finally showed 90 minutes later!!!

[nanglgrl]

A quick fix for that issue is a super great idea Cat Herder came up with that I use and can attest to the fact that it REALLY does work;

If the child is sick, the parent can keep them home for the day (24 hours)

If a child gets sent home from daycare, exclusion is an automatic 48 hours instead.

Makes parents really think twice before sending a sick kid to care.

You can kind of tell when a kid gets sick at daycare but they weren't really sick in the morning....or vice versa.... kwim?

I love it! I am going to have to add this one. I swear I don't know what some parents are thinking when they dose their child with tylenol and then send them to daycare....and then act surprised when I call around noon because it has worn off and their child is ill. The best is when sibling or the pick up person (grandma/dad) says something like "yeah, he wasn't feeling well last night".

[DaisyMamma]

A quick fix for that issue is a super great idea Cat Herder came up with that I use and can attest to the fact that it REALLY does work;

If the child is sick, the parent can keep them home for the day (24 hours)

If a child gets sent home from daycare, exclusion is an automatic 48 hours instead.

Makes parents really think twice before sending a sick kid to care.

You can kind of tell when a kid gets sick at daycare but they weren't really sick in the morning....or vice versa.... kwim?

I love this!

[DaisyMamma]

I have that exact thing in my handbook. I remind them when I call they have one hour. I also say its from first call not first time I actually reach you. Funny how the people who send sick kids are also "unavailable" whentheir kid is puking like crazy.

Such good ideas. I will be adding these things to my policies!

[mema]

I think it is a very reasonable policy. I have in mine also a 1 hour pick up, but as I was just reading thru it last night, noticed I didn't have a charge for after that hour tho Guess I will add that in now. Thankfully I haven't had anyone take more than 30 minutes so far. (knocking on wood!)

[SilverSabre25]

Whoo hoo! I'm glad it's reasonable. It's literally NEVER been a problem, but it seemed like such a good idea.

It's going in my handbook then, and my revamped handbook is DONE! I typed it up yesterday while everyone played. I love portable technology.