I'm probably the kind of DCM that you guys hate...

[SignMeUp]

Ask them to videotape his temperature taking ... show thermometer the entire time then show the end temp. They surely have cell phones.

Nannyde! Don't you think they will term her if she asks for this?

[KidGrind]

Nannyde! Don't you think they will term her if she asks for this?

An Army facility can’t term her for making a request. They can tell her no. She can request to see the the video them taking a his temperature. Most Army facilities have video surveillance in the rooms.

[cheerfuldom]

I would speak to the daycare director about your concerns. I wouldnt mention the theory about school agers or any other opinions. Just present the facts. Dates and reasons regarding child was sent home. Ask for another copy of the illness policy (make sure it hasn't changed!) as well as clarification about why and when a child would be sent home. Just going to the meeting will show the director that you are willing to follow the rules but also, that you are well informed and not going to be allowing the staff to break the rules and send home your child needlessly. I personally would give the center one more chance but you also may need to consider other options. Many church based daycares present no curriculum to younger children or limit it to a prayer before meals or something that perhaps your son can sit out from. Many do not have the whole day infused with church doctrine or anything like that so you might research what specifically is presented to the children. Is it in the curriculum? Is it circle time only? Is it church in name only but not specifically in day to day activities?

[Play Care]

I would speak to the daycare director about your concerns. I wouldnt mention the theory about school agers or any other opinions. Just present the facts. Dates and reasons regarding child was sent home. Ask for another copy of the illness policy (make sure it hasn't changed!) as well as clarification about why and when a child would be sent home. Just going to the meeting will show the director that you are willing to follow the rules but also, that you are well informed and not going to be allowing the staff to break the rules and send home your child needlessly. I personally would give the center one more chance but you also may need to consider other options. Many church based daycares present no curriculum to younger children or limit it to a prayer before meals or something that perhaps your son can sit out from. Many do not have the whole day infused with church doctrine or anything like that so you might research what specifically is presented to the children. Is it in the curriculum? Is it circle time only? Is it church in name only but not specifically in day to day activities?

[daycare_jen]

Does the teacher take the temp in the classroom on their own? Does the director, assistant director or a supervisor take the temp? Or are they going by whatever the teacher has stated? I have my own in-home during the school year only, but went back to work temporarily over summer for a center I previously worked at. My experience is that some teachers who take temps do not get it right. I witnessed teachers take temps, state that there was a fever present (I didn't see the actual temp on the thermometer.) and leave the classroom to tell the director or they called mom directly without even consulting a supervisor. In some of those cases, I really questioned whether the child had a temp or not and would come up with some reason to take temp again. Many times, although the temp was higher than normal, it would not be enough to send home. It was very frustrating to me and I felt that the teachers were possibly feeling overwhelmed that day and seeking to lower their numbers. I would not put it past a center that is over ratios to seek out ways to send kids home. and I would also not want my own child in a center that works this way.

But the flip side to this, is that the center I worked in would also keep kids for the day despite multiple episodes of diarrhea, even some that was not contained to the diaper, with the director stating that there could be a variety of reasons that the child had issues (teething, trying a new food that was upsetting to the tummy, etc.) and she wouldn't send kids home because she was worried about the frequency of calling parents for pick up. And then the whole one year old room would have the same symptoms.

Regarding doctor's notes... we had a cases of HFM erupt over the summer. Many children with it and one little one went to the doctor and came back with a note that it was not HFM and she was fine to come back with the rash. Two days later she saw a different doctor for her one-year well baby visit, guess what that doctor said... HFM. So, yeah, I get centers not widely accepting dr. notes for returning to care.

I agree with cheerfuldom regarding church daycares... they have many different ways about them, so I wouldn't rule them out altogether without looking into what they actually do during the day.

[debbiedoeszip]

I had the same experience with one daycare center my DS attended. Get a call that DS has a fever. Get him home and his temp is completely normal (97 or 98 F) and his behaviour is completely normal. I started carrying our ear thermometer in my purse so that I could take his temp right at the daycare to confirm that he indeed had a fever like they were alleging. Only one daycare was like this, though. The others were reasonable, and if I got a call that he was sick, then he truly was sick.

[Cat Herder]

I had the same experience with one daycare center my DS attended. Get a call that DS has a fever. Get him home and his temp is completely normal (97 or 98 F) and his behaviour is completely normal. I started carrying our ear thermometer in my purse so that I could take his temp right at the daycare to confirm that he indeed had a fever like they were alleging. Only one daycare was like this, though. The others were reasonable, and if I got a call that he was sick, then he truly was sick.

I think it is because so many providers are not well trained to diagnose true fever. Fever, in and of itself, is not a sign the kid is sick. Actually, it signals the opposite, the kids immune system is doing it's job.

People are so quick to give fever reducing meds that kids end up getting sick from things their body would have handled if left alone (good sleep, good foods, plenty of fluids).

A sustained fever (30-45 minutes between 2 readings) with other signs of illness is what providers should be looking for.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/health-living/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/thermometer/art-20047410?pg=1

[daycare_jen]

I think it is because so many providers are not well trained to diagnose true fever. Fever, in and of itself, is not a sign the kid is sick. Actually, it signals the opposite, the kids immune system is doing it's job.

People are so quick to give fever reducing meds that kids end up getting sick from things their body would have handled if left alone (good sleep, good foods, plenty of fluids).

A sustained fever (30-45 minutes between 2 readings) with other signs of illness is what providers should be looking for.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/health-li...-20047410?pg=1

[Blackcat31]

I think it is because so many providers are not well trained to diagnose true fever. Fever, in and of itself, is not a sign the kid is sick. Actually, it signals the opposite, the kids immune system is doing it's job.

People are so quick to give fever reducing meds that kids end up getting sick from things their body would have handled if left alone (good sleep, good foods, plenty of fluids).

A sustained fever (30-45 minutes between 2 readings) with other signs of illness is what providers should be looking for.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/health-li...-20047410?pg=1

We receive training on how and when to take temps.

We are also trained to advise parents NOT to give fever reducing meds and let the fever run it's course. Give meds ONLY if the fever spikes unusually high and/or child is extremely uncomfortable.

I use an ear thermometer like the one the nurses use at the clinic.

It is pretty spendy compared to some simpler versions but I prefer the accuracy so it "pays for itself"

[Cat Herder]

We receive training on how and when to take temps.

We are also trained to advise parents NOT to give fever reducing meds and let the fever run it's course. Give meds ONLY if the fever spikes unusually high and/or child is extremely uncomfortable.

I use an ear thermometer like the one the nurses use at the clinic.

It is pretty spendy compared to some simpler versions but I prefer the accuracy so it "pays for itself"

I also use an ear thermometer but I back it up with a digital. 2 sources.

Ear thermometers can be thrown off by an ear infection or waxy buildup. It can also be used to support a suspicion of ear infection (R ear 97.9, left ear 101.7 )

[Blackcat31]

I also use an ear thermometer but I back it up with a digital. 2 sources.

Ear thermometers can be thrown off by an ear infection or waxy buildup. It can also be used to support a suspicion of ear infection (R ear 97.9, left ear 101.7 )

I also have an otoscope. Courtesy of a DCM who is a nurse.

I don't diagnose but we definitely peek when we are curious

[Cat Herder]

I also have an otoscope. Courtesy of a DCM who is a nurse.

I don't diagnose but we definitely peek when we are curious

:::::: and I thought I was the only one... say it with me "Pearly grey is OK.."

[FrusteratedMom]

Thanks ladies. I'm glad to have some perspective from the other side. I'll be talking to the administration about this issue. I appriciate your time.

[Blackcat31]

Thanks ladies. I'm glad to have some perspective from the other side. I'll be talking to the administration about this issue. I appriciate your time.

Please keep us updated as to what happens