Daycare Illness Policies: When to Keep Your Child Home 2026

Your child wakes up with a runny nose. Is it allergies or a cold? Can they go to daycare? Will you get the dreaded call to pick them up by 10 AM? Daycare illness policies can be confusing, frustrating, and hard to navigate—especially when you're also juggling work responsibilities.

This guide helps you understand typical sick policies, when to keep kids home, and how to manage the reality of frequent childhood illnesses.

Why Illness Policies Exist

Protecting Everyone

Goals of sick policies:

• Prevent spread of illness
• Protect other children
• Protect staff
• Protect vulnerable families
• Allow sick children to rest and recover

Who's at risk:

• Young children with developing immune systems
• Immunocompromised children
• Pregnant staff members
• Children with chronic conditions
• Families with vulnerable members at home

Daycare Reality

Facts about illness in childcare:

• Children get sick frequently (8-12 colds per year is normal)
• Group settings spread illness
• Young children can't cover coughs well
• Sharing toys spreads germs
• Some illness exposure builds immunity

Standard Exclusion Guidelines

When Children Must Stay Home

Typical exclusion criteria:

| Symptom | Exclusion Required? | |---------|---------------------| | Fever (100.4°F+) | Yes | | Vomiting | Yes (24 hours after last episode) | | Diarrhea | Yes (24 hours after last episode) | | Uncontrolled cough | Often yes | | Eye discharge | Often yes | | Rash (unexplained) | Until evaluated | | Lice (active) | Until treated |

Fever Policies

Standard guidelines:

• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher = stay home
• Must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication
• "Fever-free" means no Tylenol/Motrin to bring it down

Why 24 hours:

• Ensures fever is truly gone
• Prevents relapse at daycare
• Reduces medication masking symptoms
• Child needs rest to recover

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Typical policy:

• Must stay home during active symptoms
• Return 24 hours after last episode
• Some require 48 hours
• Normal stool before returning

Why strict:

• Highly contagious
• Spreads rapidly in group settings
• Uncomfortable for sick child
• Cleaning burden on staff

Respiratory Illnesses

Coughs and colds:

• Runny nose alone usually okay
• Productive/constant cough may exclude
• Must be able to participate
• Comfort level considered

COVID-19 and other serious illnesses:

• Follow current health department guidelines
• May require testing
• Specific quarantine periods
• Contact tracing possible

Rashes

Policy varies:

• Unexplained rash = stay home until evaluated
• Doctor's note may be required
• Once identified as non-contagious, can return
• Common childhood rashes may need clearance

Eye Infections

Pink eye (conjunctivitis):

• Usually requires 24 hours of antibiotic treatment
• Some daycares require doctor's note
• Discharge must be cleared
• Very contagious

Head Lice

Typical policy:

• Exclude until treated
• May require nit-free status
• Evidence of treatment needed
• Policies vary widely

Understanding Your Daycare's Policy

Getting the Details

Questions to ask:

• What are your exclusion criteria?
• How is fever defined?
• How long must children stay home?
• What documentation is required?
• What happens if my child gets sick during the day?

The Sick Call

When daycare calls:

• They describe symptoms
• You're asked to pick up promptly
• Child is isolated from others
• Timeline given for return

How to respond:

• Pick up as soon as possible
• Don't argue the policy
• Get details about symptoms
• Plan for next day

Return-to-Care Requirements

Common requirements:

• Symptom-free for specified period
• Doctor's note for certain conditions
• Completion of antibiotic course (sometimes)
• Ability to participate in activities

Making the Decision

When You're Unsure

Consider:

• Is my child well enough to participate?
• Would I want other sick kids around mine?
• Am I masking symptoms with medication?
• What would happen if symptoms worsen?

The "grandma test": Would you send your child to grandma's for the day in this condition?

Reading Symptoms

Minor symptoms (usually okay to attend):

• Clear runny nose
• Mild, occasional cough
• Previous fever but 24+ hours clear
• Minor scrapes or injuries
• Mild fussiness

Concerning symptoms (stay home):

• Fever of any kind
• Persistent cough
• Green/yellow eye discharge
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy or unusual behavior
• Pain that affects participation

When Symptoms Appear at Daycare

What to expect:

• Staff will call you
• You have limited time to pick up (usually 1 hour)
• Child will be isolated
• Exclusion period starts

Common Illnesses

Colds

The reality:

• Children get 8-12 colds per year
• Runny nose can last 2 weeks
• Most colds don't require exclusion
• Fever early in cold may require staying home

When to keep home:

• Fever present
• Child too tired to participate
• Symptoms are severe
• Cough is constant/disruptive

Ear Infections

Daycare policy:

• Usually don't require exclusion
• If fever, stay home until resolved
• May need antibiotics (not always)
• Can return once comfortable

Stomach Bugs

Highly contagious:

• Stay home during active illness
• 24-48 hours after last symptom
• Hydration is important
• Clear completely before returning

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Very common in daycare:

• Blisters on hands, feet, mouth
• Often fever at onset
• Highly contagious
• Usually 5-7 days illness
• Exclusion policies vary

Strep Throat

Requires treatment:

• Stay home until diagnosed and treated
• Return after 24 hours on antibiotics
• Fever-free required
• Doctor's confirmation usually needed

Managing Frequent Illness

Why Children Get Sick So Often

Normal reasons:

• Developing immune system
• Exposure to many children
• Young children can't cover coughs
• Sharing toys and surfaces
• This is actually building immunity

Timeline:

• First year in daycare: More illness
• Second year: Less frequent
• By school age: More resilient

Building Resilience

What helps:

• Adequate sleep
• Good nutrition
• Handwashing habits
• Staying up on vaccinations
• Outdoor play
• Stress management

When to See Doctor

Concerning signs:

• Very frequent illnesses (more than typical)
• Severe symptoms
• Symptoms lasting longer than expected
• Child seems to decline rather than recover
• Your instincts say something's wrong

Backup Care Strategies

Having a Plan

Options to develop:

• Family member availability
• Backup babysitters
• Sick child care services
• Flexible work arrangements
• Partner coordination

Creating Your Backup List

People who might help:

1. Grandparents or relatives
2. Stay-at-home parent friends
3. Trusted neighborhood contacts
4. Professional backup care services
5. Your own flexibility

Work Strategies

Prepare in advance:

• Discuss sick child policy with employer
• Know your leave options
• Have remote work possibility
• Plan for unexpected absences
• Communicate with manager

Sick Child Care Services

What they offer:

• Care for mildly ill children
• Trained staff
• Separate from well children
• Higher cost than regular daycare

Where to find:

• Hospital-based programs
• Dedicated sick child centers
• In-home sick child care agencies
• Nanny services with sick care

Reducing Illness Transmission

At Home

Prevention:

• Frequent handwashing
• Clean toys regularly
• Adequate sleep
• Healthy diet
• Stay home when sick

At Daycare

What good programs do:

• Regular cleaning and sanitizing
• Hand hygiene protocols
• Proper diaper changing procedures
• Food safety practices
• Ventilation and air quality

Vaccination

Importance:

• Protects against serious illnesses
• Required by most programs
• Reduces community spread
• Important for vulnerable populations

When Policies Feel Unfair

Common Frustrations

Parents often feel:

• Policies are too strict
• My child isn't "that sick"
• Work consequences are unfair
• Other children seem sicker
• It's financially difficult

Understanding the Perspective

Why policies exist:

• Protect all children
• Protect staff
• Legal liability
• Health department requirements
• Community health

Addressing Concerns

If you disagree:

• Discuss calmly with director
• Understand reasoning
• Ask for clarification
• Don't send sick children anyway
• Consider if the program fits your needs

Key Takeaways

Know the policy:

• Get details at enrollment
• Understand exclusion criteria
• Know return requirements
• Keep policy accessible

When to stay home:

• Fever
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Contagious illness
• Can't participate comfortably
• Would want others to stay home

When to return:

• Symptom-free for required period
• Can participate fully
• Not contagious
• Doctor's clearance if required

Be prepared:

• Have backup care plans
• Know your work flexibility
• Keep emergency contacts updated
• Accept illness is part of childcare

Build resilience:

• Good sleep and nutrition
• Handwashing habits
• Stay current on vaccines
• Accept some illness is normal

Communicate:

• Be honest with daycare
• Notify of contagious illnesses
• Share what you're seeing at home
• Follow guidelines

Illness is an inevitable part of the daycare experience. Understanding policies, having backup plans, and approaching sickness with patience helps everyone navigate these challenging situations. Your child's immune system is building strength, even when it doesn't feel like it.

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