You Don't Clean Well Enough, Dealing With Colds

[TwinKristi]

Parents also need to remember that children who are in daycare as children may be sicker more often, but are far healthier when they're older because of their built up immune system! If you're never exposed to illness and never build the immunity you would have a heck of a life as you get older. Nothing has been built up!
Somehow I've managed to avoid everything but the stomach bugs. No colds, no flus, nothing! I have worked in childcare for 5 years and that first year was awful. I worked in a gym childcare so we had hundreds of kids a week! Kids coming in sick all.the.time! I had a horrible cold the first month, maybe the flu? The next year my whole family got H1N1! But until last year we were flu free, go figure that last year I opened my home day care. And like others said, it's not typically from inside the home. One boy has an older sister in PreK and another boy I watched then went there as well. Kids bring this stuff home and spread to siblings before they're even symptomatic. My kids brought home everything from school! It ****s. This year we have already been much healthier than last year.

[MarinaVanessa]

I agree with those who say cleaning is what is making kids sick. And it is. I can't remember the last time my own kids were sick. Also, its so rare that dck's are sick here too. I do find that when they are sick its coming from home.

first, please change your furnace filters. I have one mom who keeps her dog locked where the furnace is and can't figure out why they are always sick. I guess the dog hair that is stuck to the filter has nothing to do with it.

second, open windows. I can't believe how many people lock themselves up tight.

dressing for the weather. That means when its cold outside, how about making your child wear a coat and socks, common sense.

also eating healthy, I think thats why my kids don't get sick, they eat enough strawberries and pomagranet to feed 100 children.

checking for mold. also, the said mom above will leave wet clothes in the washer for a couple of days, and we all know that the smell of mildew will set in, and imagine then, children are constantly breathing it in

I NEVER EVER bleach anything in my house. I do shampoo the rugs and when I see something dirty but i dont wash and go crazy to me its pointless and a waste of time. Because most times the germs come from home not from my house.

Okay so I agree with everything you say except for that one about dressing for the weather like wearing a coat when it's cold outside. Yes it irks me when DCP's don't send their preciouses with coats and such when it's cold out but ... sorry, being cold does not cause colds and it doesn't lower your immune system. This is an old wives tale.

You can still have a warm coat on and go out in cold weather and still get sick because it's not the temperature that gets you sick, it's the weather itself ... or rather the weather conditions. It's the lack of humidity that causes the mucus lining to dry out of your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to get in and make you sick.

So although I believe that DCP's should bring their precious angels to daycare in weather appropriate clothing (like a sweater when it's cold because ... duh, it's cold) I just could not let that one little line go. It has been one of those things that my mother and I argue about all of the time since I myth-busted her so I had to pipe in ::. My mom once tried to tell my DD about wearing a coat because she'd get sick and I just had to step in and tell my DD it wasn't true. I also told my DD that no matter what grandma says sleeping with wet hair, walking barefoot, feeding a cold/starving a fever (or whatever if I got them mixed up), not eating your broccoli, teething, etc. doesn't make you sick. Also cracking your knuckles doesn't give you arthritis, milk doesn't create more mucus when you're sick and sitting too close to the TV doesn't make you blind. My mom made this face ---> .

[Brustkt]

Wow! I am pretty sure I would let her know that she has two weeks to find a "cleaner" Daycare! Ain't nobody got time for that!!!

Seriously shows how little respect she has for you and your business!

[Cradle2crayons]

Okay so I agree with everything you say except for that one about dressing for the weather like wearing a coat when it's cold outside. Yes it irks me when DCP's don't send their preciouses with coats and such when it's cold out but ... sorry, being cold does not cause colds and it doesn't lower your immune system. This is an old wives tale.

You can still have a warm coat on and go out in cold weather and still get sick because it's not the temperature that gets you sick, it's the weather itself ... or rather the weather conditions. It's the lack of humidity that causes the mucus lining to dry out of your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to get in and make you sick.

So although I believe that DCP's should bring their precious angels to daycare in weather appropriate clothing (like a sweater when it's cold because ... duh, it's cold) I just could not let that one little line go. It has been one of those things that my mother and I argue about all of the time since I myth-busted her so I had to pipe in ::. My mom once tried to tell my DD about wearing a coat because she'd get sick and I just had to step in and tell my DD it wasn't true. I also told my DD that no matter what grandma says sleeping with wet hair, walking barefoot, feeding a cold/starving a fever (or whatever if I got them mixed up), not eating your broccoli, teething, etc. doesn't make you sick. Also cracking your knuckles doesn't give you arthritis, milk doesn't create more mucus when you're sick and sitting too close to the TV doesn't make you blind. My mom made this face ---> .

it drives me crazy too!!!

I had a parent once who had a child that was VERY hot natured. Our house is kept a constant temperature and not drafty but she would out the child in triple layers for INSIDE the house clothing. The child would arrive swearing profusely. First thing I did every day was strip them down to an appropriate amount of clothes.

And it also drives me nuts when people say "oh your kids go barefoot year round? They'll get sick!" And I have to comment that its a miracle my kids are rarely sick compared to their child with shoes on

[Play Care]

it drives me crazy too!!!

I had a parent once who had a child that was VERY hot natured. Our house is kept a constant temperature and not drafty but she would out the child in triple layers for INSIDE the house clothing. The child would arrive swearing profusely. First thing I did every day was strip them down to an appropriate amount of clothes.

And it also drives me nuts when people say "oh your kids go barefoot year round? They'll get sick!" And I have to comment that its a miracle my kids are rarely sick compared to their child with shoes on

I used to have a dcd who would make snide comments when other dck's (not his!) would leave my house without their coats - their parent's car was a few feet away and they would have to take them off anyway for the car seats. :confused: "They'll get sick!" Um, really? :confused:

[Meeko]

Am I the only one who would be seriously offended if someone criticized my home as "unclean" to the point that it's making children ill????


If a parent came at me like that I'd tell them they probably shouldn't bring their children anymore seeing as my home is obviously such a hazard to their health....

[Heidi]

I used to have a dcd who would make snide comments when other dck's (not his!) would leave my house without their coats - their parent's car was a few feet away and they would have to take them off anyway for the car seats. :confused: "They'll get sick!" Um, really? :confused:

happyfacehappyface

I can't believe there are actually people that agree with me on this! Of course, if it's dangerous to be outside uncovered (frost bite, etc), I will push the coverings. But, most children above toddler age (when they just strip to be stubborn) KNOW when they need coverings! And one CANNOT get a cold by BEING cold! viruses don't care!

Funny story:

My wacky but loveable step father races to open a window every time someone coughs or sneezes...so the "viruses can get out". Seriously, they are flying through the room screaming in tiny voices "yippeeee, we're free!" :: Same guy puts a WOOL sock around his neck when he has a sore throat to cure it.

[Heidi]

I plagiarized C2C's letter (Thank you, C2C). Made a few changes to make it my own. How does this sound?

Dear Families:


IT'S COLD AND FLU SEASON!!


Just a reminder to all of my daycare families, during this common time of the year for the common cold and the flu, I need to remind all parents of my illness policies:


First, It's against state licensing laws to care for a child that has a condition that excludes them from care. Please reference the enclosed illness policy for those conditions.


Secondly, every child is different and while one child does not meet exclusion criteria with a cold, that doesn't mean another one won't. My exclusion policies are based on SYMPTOMS and not just diagnosis.


If you keep your child home due to illness, they must be excluded for 24 hours after symptoms are gone. However, in the event that your child is sent home due to an illness, they cannot return to care for at least 24 hours after being sent home; without the need for medications to control the symptoms for exclusion. This means if they are sent home today with a fever, they cannot return to care tomorrow. A doctor’s note, while helpful, does not preclude my final determination of whether or not a child may attend.


Also, giving your child fever reducing medications and sending them to daycare is against my policies and is grounds for immediate termination due to the health and safety of everyone involved. If you feel the need to give your child any medication prior to arrival at daycare, for you MUST inform me of this so that I will be aware of any possible reactions or side effects.


Please know that I am not accusing anyone of sending sick kiddos, or medicating children. Unfortunately, it’s just one of those things that’s happened frequently in my many years as a childcare provider. This may be a good time to review your own contingency plans for sick days.


I appreciate your understanding in this situation. Hopefully, we can get through this season as illness free as possible.


Sincerely,




Heidi

[MarinaVanessa]

just MPO but I the letter above just doesn't really flow for me for some reason. I would also definitely add the symptoms for exclusion in the letter itself so that they don't have to go home and fish for their contract/policies because honestly ... we have a hard time getting clients to read them when they first sign up let alone later when they might not even know where they put it KWIM. Mine goes a little like ...

Dear Parents,

The cold and flu season is here and to prevent the cold and flu from spreading in the daycare, it is important to follow the illness policy in your contract/handbook.

As a reminder, your child must stay home if experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Severe sore throat/coughing/colds or strep throat.
• Fever of 100° F or above.
• Green/yellow discharge from nose or eyes.
• Vomiting (even once)
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• If the child is too tired or fussy to participate in normal activities.

Also remember that if your child requires fever or pain medication then your child must remain at home. Fever and pain medication simply masks symptoms, they do not cure illness.

Children that exhibit any of the listed symptoms may return to daycare only after the child has been symptom and medication free for a minimum of 24 hours. If a child is sent home sick from daycare then the period of exclusion doubles from 24 hours to 48 hours. Bringing in a doctor's note which states that the child is healthy enough to return to daycare is certainly helpful and will be taken into consideration but is not necessary. Ultimately I, the child care provider, will make the final decision of whether or not a child is well enough to attend.

I'd like to thank all of you in advance for your effort to prevent the spread of the cold and flu virus.

-Your Provider

[Heidi]

just MPO but I the letter above just doesn't really flow for me for some reason. I would also definitely add the symptoms for exclusion in the letter itself so that they don't have to go home and fish for their contract/policies because honestly ... we have a hard time getting clients to read them when they first sign up let alone later when they might not even know where they put it KWIM. Mine goes a little like ...

Dear Parents,

The cold and flu season is here and to prevent the cold and flu from spreading in the daycare, it is important to follow the illness policy in your contract/handbook.

As a reminder, your child must stay home if experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Severe sore throat/coughing/colds or strep throat.
• Fever of 100° F or above.
• Green/yellow discharge from nose or eyes.
• Vomiting (even once)
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• If the child is too tired or fussy to participate in normal activities.

Also remember that if your child requires fever or pain medication then your child must remain at home. Fever and pain medication simply masks symptoms, they do not cure illness.

Children that exhibit any of the listed symptoms may return to daycare only after the child has been symptom and medication free for a minimum of 24 hours. If a child is sent home sick from daycare then the period of exclusion doubles from 24 hours to 48 hours. Bringing in a doctor's note which states that the child is healthy enough to return to daycare is certainly helpful and will be taken into consideration but is not necessary. Ultimately I, the child care provider, will make the final decision of whether or not a child is well enough to attend.

I'd like to thank all of you in advance for your effort to prevent the spread of the cold and flu virus.

-Your Provider

Thanks, MV!

[daycare]

thank you both for sharing. both are great letters and I will use them both when creating my own.

I love this form that we an all bounce ideas off of each other like this.

Getting parents to read stuff is really hard and I do like the idea of putting it all on one page.....

[Cradle2crayons]

Heidi, I love how you added a reminder for parents to be sure they have a back up plan in case of illness. I never thought of putting that in my reminder and I will add it now,

Thanks!!