It’s Not In The Rules: REALLY??

[daycare]

So I posted earlier about the white stool. Thanks for those who responded

I talked to the mom and mom informs me that the father was supposed to tell me that the child was ill over the weekend with the stomach flu or some kind of food poisoning. They have had her on the brat diet. I ask if she had been on any medication, mom says NO.


So I go on to tell mom that the child is constantly using the bathroom all day and so far at 2pm has had 5 completely white banana looking bowel movements, actually whiter than a banana. Mom replies oh its nothing.

I inform the mom that I goggled it and that it could be something serious, but I did not want to jump to conclusion. I asked her if she would take her daughter to the doc before returning her to care and the mom state” No, it’s not on your list of rules and exclusions” WOW that is all I can say.


I am so furious that a parent would refuse to seek medical attention for their child just because it was not on a list…………. I am so jaw dropped and baffled that I don’t even know where to go with this..

Advice?

[Unregistered]

Hand her an adendem (sp?) to the handbook and include white stools.

[Zoe]

To me, if a child has to be on the brat diet, then that could qualify under the diarrhea portion of most people's illness policies. So you could use this.

Or, since the child may have had "the stomach bug or some kind of food poisoning" but the parents aren't sure, then the child may have some form of contagious illness and THAT qualifies as well! The child needs to see a dr. to rule out any contagious illness and only then (with a dr's note) can the child return to daycare.

It's not about the white stool. The mom herself said he might have had a stomach bug. I'm sure that kind of thing is in your illness policy and HOW DARE she refuse this!

Stand firm!

[GretasLittleFriends]

Explain to the parents that you feel their child could be in serious danger and if they don't take her to the doctor then you will need to call 9-1-1 and have the child looked at by the paramedics, at their expense.

You could print out some info that you've read online about the stools and give it to them.

As far as not being in your rules and/or handbook, I'd recommend adding something along the lines of:

<Listed Dept of Health guidelines>

I have the right to refuse to care for a sick child. If your child develops any of the above symptoms while in my care, or any other symptoms NOT listed above that cause great concern, you or your alternate will be required to pick up your child immediately. If the child is not picked up within an hour of my calling a $5.00 for every 15minutes or portion there of charge may be assessed. If I have to call a parent to pick up a child that has been dropped off for care to ill to participate in the day the child will also be required to stay at home the following day. Your child may return to care 24 hours AFTER symptoms of illness end.

Good luck! I hope it's nothing serious!

[DCMomOf3]

I replied in your other post too..

everything I've seen says take the kid to the doctor asap and bring a stool sample. My contract says:

Children who are ill are not to be brought to day care. Examples of children who are ill:
A temperature of 100.0 degrees F. or higher within the last 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea has occurred more than once in the past 24 hours
A contagious disease such as chicken pox, strep throat or pink eye
An unidentified rash
Have not been on a prescribed medication for 24 hours or continue to have symptoms of illness
Has a constant, thick colored nasal discharge
Children may return when they are symptom free, have been appropriately treated, or have been given medical approval to return to child
care.

I bolded my sentence stating a list of EXAMPLES, not a definitive list. If you have the same, I'd tell the mom the list isn't all inclusive and you have determined that the child is ill and has to be seen by a doctor and a doctor's note stating the cause of the white stool is needed before returning. Have a stool sample in a ziploc bag ready and waiting if you can. also print out the potential causes from a health website to back up your claim that white stool is an indicator of illness.

[daycare]

This is the same family that I told them that the child was not feeling well and that they needed to keep an eye out for symptoms that could escalate. They ignored me went camping and guess what….;they came home early after their child had a seizure from fever due to pneumonia. The child missed two weeks of care…. This was just a few weeks ago….

So I printed out a few of the sites that I found on white stool and have them ready to go when mom gets here. hopefully it will make the mom rethink her decision.

[JenNJ]

Ok -- this is YOUR house and YOUR business. Sick kids are an extra liability. Tell mom that she cannot come back until she has been to a doctor and you have a note in hand that the dr saw her, treated/diagnosed her, and is clearing her for care. This takes that liability OFF of you. If mom doesn't agree -- BUH - BYE. Is she going to force her way in your door? No. She can only come in if you LET her in.

[gbcc]

Ok, I tend to be a softee with things but this is a bit too far. Honestly, if the stools are white and you believe what you are reading online then I would call CPS. I know you will loose the money and thats unfortunate but this child could be seriously ill from what I gather. I'm thinking CPS will also see this as neglagent (sp?) medical care.

[squareone]

, or any other symptoms NOT listed above that cause great concern,

I'd tell the mom the list isn't all inclusive and you have determined that the child is ill ...

This is exactly why whenever you have a "list" of anything in your contract it's a good idea to say "including but not limited to..."

This is the same family that I told them that the child was not feeling well and that they needed to keep an eye out for symptoms that could escalate. They ignored me went camping and guess what….;they came home early after their child had a seizure from fever due to pneumonia. The child missed two weeks of care…. This was just a few weeks ago….

Wow, so you really know what kind of parents you are dealing with. I guess since they were off work for two weeks they are just not trying to miss anymore days. I can't believe that white stools wouldn't even prompt them to CALL to the doctor.

[daycare]

This is exactly why whenever you have a "list" of anything in your contract it's a good idea to say "including but not limited to..."



Wow, so you really know what kind of parents you are dealing with. I guess since they were off work for two weeks they are just not trying to miss anymore days. I can't believe that white stools wouldn't even prompt them to CALL to the doctor.

nope... I tried again at pick up with google advice from webmd, but mom says oh there is nothing wrong that its becuase she was just recently sick and now is letting everything out......... she said I understand your concern but I dont see a need to seek medical attention...

I feel like I did what I could and that since its not my child I cant do anything else. the child does not have any other symptoms and seemed ok other than the need to poop all day long so I really dont have a reason to exclude the child if there is nothing that I can prove is medially wrong..

my PHB states:

DO NOT send your child to daycare if they exhibit any of the following symptoms, or conditions (this list only covers the most common illnesses, but is not inclusive of all reasons for exclusion) The following list of symptoms and conditions are those based off of what the CDC states is not acceptable conditions for your child to attend school of any kind.

[Kaddidle Care]

After reading some of the reasons of white stool on the net, I would not let the child back without a Dr.'s note.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5382038_white-stool-children.html

One of the items it could be is Viral Hepatitis which IS contagious.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/v/viral_hepatitis/contagious.htm

SCARY!

[squareone]

After reading some of the reasons of white stool on the net, I would not let the child back without a Dr.'s note.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5382038_white-stool-children.html

One of the items it could be is Viral Hepatitis which IS contagious.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/v/viral_hepatitis/contagious.htm

SCARY!

Daycare, please call this mom tonight. Right now. Tell her that it is entirely up to her as to whether she wants to take dcg to see a doctor or not. However, since her symptoms could be related to a contagious condition, you have to have a doctor's note from her that states what the diagnosis is, what the recommended treatment is, and whether or not the condition is contagious. It is your responsibility to do what you can to protect the other kids in your care plus your self and your family.

Even if the symptoms disappear I would still require a note before she can return. I'm a slight hypochondriac so in addition to being worried about dcg, I would be worried about my family.

[daycare]

After reading some of the reasons of white stool on the net, I would not let the child back without a Dr.'s note.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5382038_white-stool-children.html

One of the items it could be is Viral Hepatitis which IS contagious.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/v/viral_hepatitis/contagious.htm

SCARY!

I read all of those sites and are the ones that I even printed out... yes scary.
I talked to an advice nurse at my hospital (my husband works there) and the advice nurse said that i should allow for the child to return, however, if the child has white bowel movements tomorrow then I need to exclude the child from care.

[Kaddidle Care]

It's just sad that the child's parents are so flip about this.

[daycare]

It's just sad that the child's parents are so flip about this.

yeah i am very sad about it... i was actually crying earlier outof frustration.. I am just really hoping that there is nothing wrong with this child.....I was not wrong the last 4 times with the child when they were ill, but it was more common things that I knew about. I have no medical backgroud and have no idea what is going on with this child.... All that I know is that if there is something wrong, I may be saying good bye to this family. I cant take any more of this lack of parenting and frustration, not to mention heartache..............