As adults, it seems as if we find ourselves in a bind more often than not, especially as parents. If you work a full-time career and you’re a full-time parent to an infant, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, then you have likely been faced with many obstacles in your daily routine. For example, you have an important meeting at work the same day your toddler woke up with a sore throat, runny nose, and a mild fever. Your first instinct is to keep them home and in bed, but you can’t possibly miss work which leaves you with a tough decision—how sick is too sick to send your child to daycare?

Strong Start Early Care and Education is a Top Rated® Local child care facility in Trumbull, and our students’ health is our priority. Our philosophy is that all children receive the best child care and education through our esteemed curriculum. Although we love having the opportunity to educate your children at our Trumbull toddler programs and other classes, there comes a point when your child is better kept at home for the day when they are feeling under the weather.

We understand that parents are in a tough situation and why they choose to send their child to daycare when they are feeling under the weather. However, there are times when it is best to keep your toddler home for the day. In today’s article, we’ll help you stay prepared in the event your child starts to come down with a bug.

Familiarize Yourself with Daycare Policies

Some things you just can’t control. Your child getting sick is one of them—especially when he/she attends a child care center regularly. Our Trumbull daycare center offers a safe and welcoming environment for children to learn and play, but no matter how much we disinfect every surface, kids can easily catch germs.

One important question to ask when you tour a new child care center in Trumbull is what their sick policies are. Many daycare facilities and early learning centers have sick policies in place that they require parents to abide by in order to prevent the illness from getting passed around.

The two most common illnesses in daycare facilities are pink eye and the common cold. Many doctors and medical professionals will recommend that children stay home until they have begun treatment and are on medication for at least 24 hours, and be fever-free. Young children in daycare facilities are more prone to sickness because their immune systems are still developing. Because of this stage of development, it’s important to ask your daycare what their hand-washing and other cleaning procedures are to avoid spreading infection.

Make Smart Decisions

Mornings are not always the best time of day to make impulsive decisions. When you know the consequences of sending your child to daycare, your decision may be less stress on you. Not only does your child’s illness put other kids at risk, but sending your child into the daycare facility where other kids can spread germs to them can extend (and worsen) their condition. Their recovery is the main priority when they’re not feeling well, and keeping them in the comfort of their own home is the best place.

Have a Plan

If you are a working parent who doesn’t have the flexibility to stay home from work at the drop of a dime, it’s best for you to establish a back-up plan in case of illness. Take the time to discuss with your spouse what the plan of action will be when your child is sick. Consider alternating who stays home with your toddler that way it is less of a burden on one particular person. If you’re a single parent, consult with nearby friends or family members in advance who you can count on to babysit when your child isn’t feeling well.

Additionally, discuss all of the options for sick days with your child care provider and your employer in advance that way it is less of an emergency to make adjustments in your routine.

As a parent, you know what is best for your child, especially when it comes to nursing them back to health. In the event that you’re not sure if your child is showing signs of a cold or if it’s simply a runny nose, consult with your pediatrician, and take into consideration whether or not any other kids at the daycare facility have been sick and go from there. If your child has a low-grade fever, but they are not showing any other symptoms of a cold or the flu, it’s best to keep them home from daycare to rest and do your best to help get rid of the fever from home.

Strong Start Early Care and Education strives to build lifelong skills through learning and playing in our comfortable learning environment. In order for us to build a strong foundation in your child’s learning, it’s important that they are healthy. When a child is sent to daycare feeling under the weather, they are limited in their abilities for the day and putting others at risk for catching their illness.

If you have questions or concerns about the sick policies of your child care center, it’s best to discuss that with them in advance. If you’re looking for a new daycare center in Trumbull, stop by and visit Strong Start Early Care and Education for a tour today!