Childcare centre sickness: what you need to know

Childcare centres can be a hotbed for all sorts of illnesses. Germs spread easily when kids play closely together.

It can be hard to see our little ones feeling unwell. And it can be hard on parents to know when to keep kids home, and how to juggle our kids’ illnesses with other responsibilities.

Childcare centre sickness is hard on parents

It’s a hard time all around when our little ones pick up a bug from childcare. It’s hard to see them distressed. It’s hard to deal with broken sleep. It’s hard to juggle illness and medical appointments with other responsibilities at work or at home.

According to a recent Australian study, an infant under 12 months will have around six to eight bouts of sickness each year. Infants who go to daycare or have siblings under six years old will likely have more rounds of illness.

Parents need to take care of themselves during bouts of illness as well. To navigate the toll that daycare sickness can take on you, make sure you:

• Get enough rest
• Eat nutritious meals
• Seek support from family and friends

When do you need to keep kids at home?

Though we try to protect our children, it’s nearly impossible to shield them completely from germs. Little immune systems are still developing and don’t offer as much resistance to infection.

It can be tricky to work out if you should keep your child at home when they’re under the weather. Generally, keep your child home if they have any of these symptoms:

• Fever (a temperature over 37.5°C)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Sore eyes with pus or mucus
• Sore throat
• Bad cough
• Rash or skin sores, especially on the face, hands and feet

Consider the well-being of other children and the day care staff, as many childcare illnesses can easily spread. And make sure your child is up to date with their immunisations.

If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations, consulting with a healthcare professional, such as an InstantScripts doctor, can provide you with the latest advice and guidance.

What kind of bugs do little ones pick up at childcare centres?

There are a few common bugs that little ones may pick up at day care. Watch out for the signs of the following in your child:

• Colds, flu or RSV: Runny nose, fever and coughing are some of the tell-tale signs of a respiratory virus.
• Gastro: Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Conjunctivitis: Itchy or scratchy eyes, with redness or watering. The eyelids may stick together, especially during sleep.
• Impetigo (school sores): Small red spots on the face, hands or scalp that change into pus-filled blisters. The blisters can crust over.
• Ringworm: Small scaly patch on the skin surrounded by a pink ring.
• Hand, foot and mouth: Begins as small red dots on hands and feet, as well as in or around the mouth that may blister.
• Head lice: Tiny insects that live among human hairs and can cause itchiness on the scalp. 

While these conditions can be inconvenient and uncomfortable for your child (and for you), they are typically mild.

Plus, your child’s immune system usually gets stronger as they get older. This will thankfully mean fewer bouts of illness each year.

How to get quick access to a doctor when your kid is sick

When your child is sick, quick access to medical advice and care is crucial. But it’s not always easy to get in to see a doctor when you need to.

Instead of waiting days for an appointment or for hours in a crowded waiting room, consider speaking to a doctor online. With telehealth services like InstantScripts, you can have a virtual consult with a qualified doctor from the comfort of your own home. They can provide reassurance, guidance, and a treatment plan if needed.

Should your employer grant days off for looking after sick kids?

Balancing work and parental duties can be challenging.  The balance gets harder when your child is unwell. Many parents struggle to decide if they should take time off work or try to manage with other arrangements.

If you find yourself in this situation, discuss possible options with your employer. Some may offer flexible work arrangements or allow you to work from home temporarily. You could try other options such as:

• Sharing responsibilities with a partner
• Seeking help from family or friends.
• Using a babysitting service that offers to look sick children.

Should you still have to pay for childcare when your kid is sick? 

While policies vary between childcare centres, most require the regular fees to be paid even when your child is off sick.

The centre still needs to maintain staff, resources, and facilities, regardless of the number of children in attendance.

To avoid any misunderstandings, make sure you’ve read and understood your day care’s policies regarding illness and payment.

Written by Sally Bathgate. Sally is a health and medical writer with more than 10 years’ experience writing plain-language materials for patients and their carers. Sally holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons I) in Pharmacology from UNSW.

Sources: Rowland et al (2021). Burden of infection in Australian infants. J Paediatr Child Health 57, 204–211.