How Can You Prove Tylenol Doping?

[PolkaTots]

How can you prove tylenol doping? I have a child that has gotten sick here about 5 times in the last 6 months, where he doesn't look well in the morning, and then has a high temp around lunch time. (This is the same one that came so sick in October, he had to be taken to the hospital) Anyway, yesterday he arrives not looking so good, and the mom says he is tired. I was rushing around trying to get the school agers out the door, and didn't question her. I felt his head, and he felt fine. But right at lunch time, he really started to look bad and sure enough...had a fever of 102. I laid the kids down for nap and held him while we waited for his mom to pick up...this is when I notice the faint smell of vomit in his hair (but could tell he was freshly bathed) I asked the child who is almost 3 if he threw up, and he said he did at night in his bed. I asked if mommy gave him medicine this morning and he says yes. So the mom arrives and I ask her if he had gotten sick last night or received medicine this morning...and she said no! I tell her that her child told me otherwise, and she responded I don't know why he would say that, he doesn't even know what throw up is?!?!
This is a very nice family, but I am so tired of them trying to sneak their sick child by me so they don't have to miss work. I am not really sure what to do, given my recent change in income with my husband moving out...ugh

[crazydaycarelady]

I am not sure if you can prove it. I have a paragraph in my parent handbook about this and mention that if I suspect they are doing this it is reason for termination.

For the benefit of the other children in my care, their families, my family and I, a sick child will not be permitted to childcare. If you aren't sure about whether to bring your child to care please call me to discuss it. If your child is on antibiotics he/she continues to be contagious for 24 hours after the first dose of medication and cannot return to childcare until this time period has passed. Masking your child's symptoms with over-the -counter medications and bringing them to care anyway is not allowed and could be cause for immediate termination. PLEASE do not bring your child if they are sick. If a child is sick or becomes sick while here you will be called at work and will need to come and pick your child up immediately.

[PolkaTots]

I have a section in my handbook that says pretty much the same thing...but they are sneaky

[Blackcat31]

Implement the 24/48 hour rule.

If the child is sick and stays home, they can't come back until they have been fever or symptom free for 24 hours.

If they get sick while AT daycare, they cannot return for a FULL 48 hours after being fever or symptom free.

It really does work. I forces parents to use their best judgment when assessing their child for wellness before dropping off. Staying home for one day when the parent KNOWS their child is sick is much better than being sent home and having to stay home for 2 days....kwim?

Cat Herder recommended this rule to me a while back and I have to say since I implemented in my program I have not had one single incident of doping and dropping or even a "I'm not sure if he is really sick or not so call me if he gets sick today" kind of situation.

Seriously, it works.

[bunnyslippers]

I am going through this today. I had 2 kids here yesterday who both were sick,and both spiked fevers at 1:30 - 6 hours after drop-off, right when motrin wears off. Neither of those kids are here today.

I was very clear to ALL the families yesterday that I know when kids have been given medicine. I was also very clear about the fact that I can't prevent illness from spreading if kids are drugged and then spend all day here playing. It infuriates me!!!!!!

[bgmeyers]

I too have started the 24/48 rule. Thanks to these ladies here, I learned of a great way to deal with the drug and drop parents.
You CAN teach and old dog (me) new tricks.

[mamac]

Implement the 24/48 hour rule.

If the child is sick and stays home, they can't come back until they have been fever or symptom free for 24 hours.

If they get sick while AT daycare, they cannot return for a FULL 48 hours after being fever or symptom free.

It really does work. I forces parents to use their best judgment when assessing their child for wellness before dropping off. Staying home for one day when the parent KNOWS their child is sick is much better than being sent home and having to stay home for 2 days....kwim?

Cat Herder recommended this rule to me a while back and I have to say since I implemented in my program I have not had one single incident of doping and dropping or even a "I'm not sure if he is really sick or not so call me if he gets sick today" kind of situation.

Seriously, it works.

Is that exactly how you have it worded in your handbook? I think I'd like to use that in mine to avoid any problems from the start.

[Blackcat31]

Is that exactly how you have it worded in your handbook? I think I'd like to use that in mine to avoid any problems from the start.

No, it is worded a bit differently but I will find a copy of my illness policy and post it in a bit if you are interested.

[mamac]

No, it is worded a bit differently but I will find a copy of my illness policy and post it in a bit if you are interested.

Yes that would be great! Thank you! happyface

[julie]

Love Blackcat's rule. I also have the very important sentence in my illness policy:


The final decision for inclusion to care is up to the provider.

So if the kid looks the same way that he did the last 5 times he was dosed and dropped, you can say, DCK does not look well. I am not comfortable taking them into care today.

[thatdivalady]

Honestly I completely stole the 24/48 hour rule from folks here on the forum and I tell you what, it works wonders. I just had a parent bring her baby knowing full well the child was sick. Baby was definitely sick and miserable and threw up exactly 45 minutes after drop off and I promptly called her mother to pick her up. So instead of just keeping her child home (knowing that she was sick) for 24 hours, the baby had to stay home for 48. No problems after that!

[Blackcat31]

Yes that would be great! Thank you! happyface

Sorry, I am slow today. Apparently doing 101 things at one time is much harder than doing 100 things at once.

Here is a copy of my illness policy. You are welcome to use any or all if it if you would like.

[mamac]

Sorry, I am slow today. Apparently doing 101 things at one time is much harder than doing 100 things at once.

Here is a copy of my illness policy. You are welcome to use any or all if it if you would like.

Thank you Blackcat! Now that I have changed the font on my contract I have more space for additional details. I will definitely be tweaking my illness policy now.