What Would You Have Done?

[Boymom]

I sent dcb home on Tuesday for 102 fever. I reminded parents that he couldn't come back until he was fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT meds. Well I talked to dcm yesterday (Wednesday) and she said they took him to the dr and he has an ear infection. She said that a grandparent watched dcb and he didn't have a fever ALTHOUGH he was given fever reducer to keep him comfortable......(hand to forehead ugh)

but this morning, dcd dropped him off saying he hasn't had a fever at all since Tuesday...

So should I have not let him come today even though it's an ear infection? He looks like he feels a lot better and is acting fine (probably because he is drugged right now ugh)

But what should I have done? The parents are telling me 2 different stories; one saying he has been given meds and the other saying he's been fever free but leaving out the part of giving him Tylenol. (But I let him come back since the dr said it was an ear infection and he isn't contagious.)

[sahm1225]

when did they start antibiotics?
If he's acting normal I would take him. BUT send him home at any signs that something else is going on. If they gave him any medicine today, then I would consider terming if they didn't disclose it to you.

I would also clarify that pain medicine IS fever reducing medicine and its 24 hours with NO fever/pain medicine.

[SquirrellyMama]

My kids have had ear infections that were knocked out with 2 doses of an antibiotic, and didn't have a fever come back. We've also had some that have taken much longer. I think it depends on other symptoms.

I like how some providers here have a 24 hour policy unless they come down with something at dc after a few hours, then it's 48 hours. The thinking is that the parents drugged and dropped. If he starts a fever by noon you'll know he was dosed before drop-off.

I maybe would have taken him back if there weren't any other symptoms from the ear infection (runny nose, cough, etc...).

Kelly

[Boymom]

when did they start antibiotics?
If he's acting normal I would take him. BUT send him home at any signs that something else is going on. If they gave him any medicine today, then I would consider terming if they didn't disclose it to you.

I would also clarify that pain medicine IS fever reducing medicine and its 24 hours with NO fever/pain medicine.

They started antibiotics last night, but they said he kept spitting it out. :-/

[Thriftylady]

I get ear infections often caused by my allergies. They are usually not something you can "catch". So if the child was acting normal and could do the activities I would let him stay. Usually after being on antibiotics and such for 24 hours I am starting to feel better.

[Boymom]

My kids have had ear infections that were knocked out with 2 doses of an antibiotic, and didn't have a fever come back. We've also had some that have taken much longer. I think it depends on other symptoms.

I like how some providers here have a 24 hour policy unless they come down with something at dc after a few hours, then it's 48 hours. The thinking is that the parents drugged and dropped. If he starts a fever by noon you'll know he was dosed before drop-off.

I maybe would have taken him back if there weren't any other symptoms from the ear infection (runny nose, cough, etc...).

Kelly

I like the 48 hour idea! How should I word that in my contract? (I'm pretty sure they drugged and dropped because he was running a fever right when he woke up from his nap.)

[Cat Herder]

Fever in and of itself is not something I would exclude for. Fever means the body is healing itself, it is a good thing.

Sustained fever (20-30 min) with other symptoms = Exclusion.
Ear infection does not meet exclusion unless child is too ill to participate or parent has broken trust in the past.

I started the 24/48 rule in my daycare many years ago, there are quite a few threads here about it along with sample policies. I don't have time right now to link, though. I added a couple tags below that will lead to you a few.

[Blackcat31]

Fever in and of itself is not something I would exclude for. Fever means the body is healing itself, it is a good thing.

Sustained fever (20-30 min) with other symptoms = Exclusion.
Ear infection does not meet exclusion unless child is too ill to participate or parent has broken trust in the past.

I started the 24/48 rule in my daycare many years ago, there are quite a few threads here about it along with sample policies. I don't have time right now to link, though. I added a couple tags below that will lead to you a few.

Other threads about 24/48 hour rule

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=24%2F48

[childcaremom]

I sent dcb home on Tuesday for 102 fever. I reminded parents that he couldn't come back until he was fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT meds. Well I talked to dcm yesterday (Wednesday) and she said they took him to the dr and he has an ear infection. She said that a grandparent watched dcb and he didn't have a fever ALTHOUGH he was given fever reducer to keep him comfortable......(hand to forehead ugh)

but this morning, dcd dropped him off saying he hasn't had a fever at all since Tuesday...

So should I have not let him come today even though it's an ear infection? He looks like he feels a lot better and is acting fine (probably because he is drugged right now ugh)

But what should I have done? The parents are telling me 2 different stories; one saying he has been given meds and the other saying he's been fever free but leaving out the part of giving him Tylenol. (But I let him come back since the dr said it was an ear infection and he isn't contagious.)

This is where I would remind her that he would be out for another day. If he needs otc meds to be comfortable then he needs to be at home. I don't accept children into care who have any meds on board. If he is on a prescription, then he is excluded until 24 hours after first dose. At earliest, I would have told dcm he could come back on Friday so long as today (at home) he was symptom free without meds.

In order to be in care, he needs to be symptom free and able to keep up with our day. So no extra rest period, no OTC meds to be comfortable and able to nap on schedule.

Given that he woke up with a fever today, I would assume he was doped before coming. If I had other issues with this family, I would be terming immediately. Otherwise they would be getting a stern warning that next time would be a term.

Also, I have the 24/48 rule, so I would be calling for pick up and he would be excluded for 48 hours. So dcm would be told that the earliest I would expect him back would be Monday, as long as he is symptom-free Sat and Sun without meds.

I am super strict with illness and my dcps know it. And if they don't "remember", they soon do.

[daycarediva]

I would have said "See you Thursday at the earliest! Let me know how dcb is doing!"

I also have a 24 hour on antibiotic rule. Regardless of diagnosis.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would have said "See you Thursday at the earliest! Let me know how dcb is doing!"

I also have a 24 hour on antibiotic rule. Regardless of diagnosis.

I've found it very helpful to tell them the EARLIEST you will see them back, regardless of any miraculous healing at home.

[KiddieCahoots]

It's also nice to add a clause in your hb stating you reserve the right to terminate immediately for clients that do not adhere, are argumentative, or are not respectful to the illness policies.

[Mom2Two]

I exclude for fever even if they're not contagious, because they're hard to care for and can't play normally. I think kids need to be home in a peaceful comfortable environment with parental tlc when they're sick.

[Boymom]

Thanks everyone! I may need to seriously do the 24/48 rule because now I'm sick and so are my 2 kids, including my baby :-(. It could definitely be a coincidence, but we all got sick the last time dcb had an "ear infection" a few weeks ago. Ugh

[Ariana]

Diagnosed ear infection is 48 hours on antibiotics before returning to care for me.

If a child is returned to me under the premise that they are fever free but parents have given tylenol and didn't tell me (meaning fever comes back during the day) they are called to pickup and child is further excluded until symptom free and parents are threatened with termination. I am lucky that this has never happened to me.

A fever is not a bad thing but it does signal to me they need their parents to care for them.