Sick Child Not Picked Up ASAP

[PolkaTots]

I've had a 2 year old who has had a runny nose and a cough this week. As many times as we try to teach him, he will not cover his cough, and throws a fit when we try to tell him (this is a new one for me!) Well, yesterday he arrives covered in vomit. The mom convinced me he was drinking juice in the car, and had a coughing fit, and threw it up. It didn't smell acidic, so I let her drop him off. (My mistake) In the AM, his temp was normal. Throughout the day, his cough worsened, until after he woke from nap and it was a barkey cough. I took his temp at 3:45, it was 100.3 (low grade, but still a temp) I call his father who is off at 4, and he says he will be right over and to get him ready. (Usually he lygags afterwork and goes home to change before he comes around 5:30) At 5:15 he finally shows up (with the family dog, showing me he didn't come straight to my house...he works 5 minutes away) I am pretty mad, because of course I wake up this morning and am sick. Now looking back, I am pretty sure the child was doped on tylenol all week...no wonder his mornings were good, but after nap he was a lot more crabby.

My contract requires children picked up as soon as possible to limit exposure to other children, and to be kept out of daycare for 24 hours until fever has broken.

What would you tell this family about this situation? What would you tell this family if they insist he isn't sick and brings him today?

[MyAngels]

With a temp over 100 my contract states they must stay home for 24 hours after they have been without a fever or meds, so he'd definitely be out today no matter what.

I'd say this situation warrants a face-to-face frank talk with the parents about your illness policy, why it's in place, and how you expect them to conduct themselves in the future. Let them know you will not tolerate this type of behavior. Not picking up in a timely manner would be grounds for termination according to my contract.

[JenNJ]

I would give a single written warning for this behavior.

They doped him up, dropped him off, and KNOWINGLY exposed you, your family, the daycare kids, and their families to his illness for their own benefit.

When you called, they did not come right away. The father LIED. By not coming immediately, he further exposed everyone to an illness.

I would give written warning that if they break policy on anything again, they are termed immediately.

[SunshineMama]

I've had a 2 year old who has had a runny nose and a cough this week. As many times as we try to teach him, he will not cover his cough, and throws a fit when we try to tell him (this is a new one for me!) Well, yesterday he arrives covered in vomit. The mom convinced me he was drinking juice in the car, and had a coughing fit, and threw it up. It didn't smell acidic, so I let her drop him off. (My mistake) In the AM, his temp was normal. Throughout the day, his cough worsened, until after he woke from nap and it was a barkey cough. I took his temp at 3:45, it was 100.3 (low grade, but still a temp) I call his father who is off at 4, and he says he will be right over and to get him ready. (Usually he lygags afterwork and goes home to change before he comes around 5:30) At 5:15 he finally shows up (with the family dog, showing me he didn't come straight to my house...he works 5 minutes away) I am pretty mad, because of course I wake up this morning and am sick. Now looking back, I am pretty sure the child was doped on tylenol all week...no wonder his mornings were good, but after nap he was a lot more crabby.

My contract requires children picked up as soon as possible to limit exposure to other children, and to be kept out of daycare for 24 hours until fever has broken.

What would you tell this family about this situation? What would you tell this family if they insist he isn't sick and brings him today?

I termed a family who didnt pick up their child on time. The child had explosive diarrhea (they should not have brought him to care), and i called them 15 minutes after drop off to get him. They came 1.5 hours late. They did this 2 more times before I termed permanently. Each time, the child had to stay home for 24 hours after being sent home.

[cheerfuldom]

I definitely have wording in my contract that goes over sick policy, keeping kids home from sick, termination if a parent is medicating child for drop off, termination if they do not pick up a sick child immediately.

now is the time to whip out your contract, highlight all the portions and send this kid home for today for sure, possibly tomorrow.

i know a lot of the providers here say 24 hours if the parents keep them home or 48 if they are sent home.

[DaisyMamma]

i know a lot of the providers here say 24 hours if the parents keep them home or 48 if they are sent home.

This is such an awesome policy and Im going to borrow it! WOW

Anyway, if I were you I would be ticked off. I would let them know they broke your policies and are getting a one time warning. Tell them it will never happen again. Also tell them that you are sick and it is not fair to you, your kids, other DC kids and other DCP.
I hope you said he cant come back today.

[PolkaTots]

Thank you for the responses. They did not show today, but will have a highlighted contract waiting for them when they return tomorrow! This is the first in 5 years that a parent never rushed here to get their child if I said they were sick

[Cat Herder]

i know a lot of the providers here say 24 hours if the parents keep them home or 48 if they are sent home.

That is what I have been using for years..... It works well, but only when enforced.

[daycare]

As cat herder said its all about enforcing, not matter what your rules are. iF you don't enforce them no one is going to follow them.

What does your policy say about sick pick up? Did you define what quick pick up means? Sad to say, but you really need to spell it out for the parents.

in my PHB I state: if you are called to pick up your ill child from care, you will have 45 min from the time that I call you to pick up your ill child. Once the 45min time frame has passed, you will be charged a late fee of $2.00 for each minute past. NOt exactly these words, but something like this.

It does stink that we have to spell it out, but if its not in black and white and not enforced then parents think that it does not apply...

I would be telling this parent, next time you need to be here within (time frame) or I am going to have to charge you a late fee. It is extremely difficult for me to isolate a sick child from the rest of the group and it puts everyones health and safety in jeopardy.

[Blackcat31]

A coughing fit that leads to throwing up (FOR ANY REASON) is grounds enough to be declined attendance.

I have heard that excuse one too many times before. Now if someone throws up....for ANY reason, they go home.

I require parents to pick up their sick child and be gone with them within 30 minutes. The size of my town dictates the time amount given. If they are later than that, they are charged $1 per minute late fee.

Kudos to Cat herder for the 24/48 hour rule. AMAZING how wonderful this tactic works and makes parents take responsibility for their child.

[PolkaTots]

I love that 24/48 hour rule! Def something I will be adding to my next contract update!