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I follow the same rules I expect the families to follow when it comes to being sick. If I have a fever over 100, throwing up, etc, I will close. I can spread the sickness just like the kids can, so I'm going to close and prevent the spread. It usually only ends up being 2-3 times a year, and usually I get hit the same time all the kids do, so we're all down and out anyway.
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This is an old post I know. But I was searching for an answer to my issue today and thought this might help another person in the same boat: I have only closed once in the last year. I was vomiting and feeling terrible between bouts of it. It lasted only a few hours in the morning but it was best that I was resting the rest of the day and able to clean up the house somewhat after it was over. I have helpers now, so I sometimes schedule one of them preemptively the night before to cover the entire day if I suspect I will be in the bed or need to make a trip to the doctor. That way we still get paid and I make a little bit off the day. Do you have a sub or helper you can call on when you need a day off?
I may make a strategic closing tomorrow coincidentally. One DCG threw up everywhere today in my car. She happened to be the only child left at the time and so I rinsed her off in the tub (it was everywhere) and mid rinse she told me she was going to get sick again so I got her out quickly and she did in the toilet. Then according to DCM she got sick again in the car on the way home. Since she was picked up my kids and I have been in the bathroom non STOP. I feel lousy. Just generally weak and I keep having waves of nausea. My kids stopped eating a while ago and since then there have been no more bathroom trips for them (I stay open if they are ill - just quarantine them) but I am most likely closing tomorrow. If it isn't the stomach bug coming on then at the least I need a day to sanitize and rotate toys out because it was clearly a virus with her vomiting 3 times in 35 minutes. Plus I don't want my helpers coming tomorrow and picking up the sickness, leaving me high and dry later this week. It is extremely inconvenient for my parents so I let them know what is going on earlier today - and told them if they did find an alternate babysitter, that I would credit them and if I closed they get credited anyway. Who knows if they will take the hint or not. But I have a feeling overnight things will transpire and I will feel right with my decision. Either way - one closure a year to me is really good and I think parents who choose home daycare will have to realize this is a possibility with a one provider situation. Better to take a day for yourself and re-charge than to find yourself really ill for a longer period of time. Also I feel like I may be protecting the kids who are coming tomorrow - because they weren't here today, and this may help keep them from getting the virus. Take the day if you can and feel better!
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I allot myself 5 sick days and 5 personal days a year and have zero guilt about using them
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I'm re-reading this thread and honestly, it makes me sad.
I can see working through minor colds and what not, but I refuse to work when I am truly sick. I value my health way too much to let it go for day care families.Comment
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I generally just work through minor stuff. I let parents know so they can choose if they don't want DCK exposed, but really if I'm sick I probably picked it up from them.
If it's something major or really contagious I close, but I can't remember the last time I closed other than my hospital trip and 1 time I had pink eye (I get it about once a year) so bad I couldn't see clearly.
When I update policies next month I'm thinking about adding language to address sick time for me. I haven't figured out the wording yet.Comment
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Considering everything I've been exposed to over the last two and a half decades I am fairly sure I can safely say I am immune to pretty much everything.
However, if I were experiencing any of the "major" excludable symptoms ~ fever, diarrhea, vomiting or strep/other highly contagious illnesses, I'd close.
I charge families the same rate 52 weeks a year.
I don't have a set number of days that I allow myself to be closed for personal or sick days, I would just take what I need when I need it and be respectful of the amount and timing of these days. While I do think I have an obligation to my clients to be dependable I also think this type of this is a perk of being self-employed....Ultimately, I just do what works for me and my family.Comment
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Old thread, but yeah, I work through everything. I have lupus, fibro, sjogrens, hashimotos, ibs, etc. I'm a walking, talking autoimmune disaster.
One time I was puking and my husband took the day off of work to run the daycare.
It's more rare I have a day where I feel great :
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This is a great job for me because on the days I feel really crappy, I can relax more. Read more books to the kids, put on music and let them dance, etc. At an office job I couldn't do that.Comment
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I hate reading about the providers who had heart attack or strokes because they could never make it to the doctor. They knew their health wasn't good but didn't want to "let their clients down"
I think we need to treat ourselves as people of value or we can't be surprised when others don't.Comment
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This is where a great sub comes in handy! I pay my subs (I have two) a lot of money per hour for them to come and watch the kiddos for doctor appts. It's worth it to look hard and find subs you trust.
I hate reading about the providers who had heart attack or strokes because they could never make it to the doctor. They knew their health wasn't good but didn't want to "let their clients down"
I think we need to treat ourselves as people of value or we can't be surprised when others don't.Comment
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EXACTLY!!!! No wonder people get so burned out with this job if we don't take care of ourselves along with everybody else. Thankfully I'm kind of like BC, seemingly immune to most everything, plus take echinachea when sickness is going around, so I don't seem to need many sick days. But if I need them, I TAKE them. None of us is a super being and we should be expected to get ill like everyone else does. I understand parents get inconvenienced with such short notice and that's why I stress in my handbook to have backup available because life happens. Even to us super women(oops and MEN).
I hate reading about the providers who had heart attack or strokes because they could never make it to the doctor. They knew their health wasn't good but didn't want to "let their clients down"
I think we need to treat ourselves as people of value or we can't be surprised when others don't.
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I would close if I was vomiting or was pretty sure I had the flu (proper influenza), but I can't imagine closing due to a cold or other "minor" illness. I also don't exclude for colds unless the child becomes feverish or is super miserable.Comment
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Exactly how I'm feeling today. I work through it. BUT what gets on my last nerve is when parents are off work, and can visbily see that I'm not feeling well, and they'll still have their kid here the entire day! But when the parents are sick, they bring their child to daycare so they can rest...like HELLO?!Comment
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I have a question and I hope it doesn't come off wrong! I'm just sincerely wondering.
I have in my contract that a child can't come to daycare if they have a fever of 100.5 or higher.
I don't have an assistant, so if I have a fever of 100.5 or higher, should I close?
What do y'all do? (Sorry if this has been asked already in this thread!)Comment
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