What Happens If My Child Gets Sick at Daycare?
Quick summary
If your child gets sick at our centre, we move them to a quiet space for comfort and call you immediately to explain their symptoms. We follow public health guidelines and will ask you to collect your child to help them recover and prevent illness from spreading.
Key takeaways
- Receive an immediate phone call for specific symptoms like fever or vomiting.
- Comfort is our first priority; your child rests in a quiet area with an educator.
- Collect your child promptly to ensure their wellbeing and protect others.
- Follow clear exclusion periods, like 24 hours after the last vomit or fever.
- Trust our strict medication policy to keep all children safe.
Our First Priority: Your Child's Comfort
The moment our educators notice a child is unwell, their first thought is comfort. We are trained to recognise the subtle signs of sickness, from a change in mood and energy levels to more obvious physical symptoms. Your child is our main concern, and helping them feel safe and cared for is our immediate goal.
We gently move the unwell child to a quiet, comfortable space away from the main activity area. This might be a cosy nook in the room with soft cushions or a quiet spot in our office, depending on their needs. An educator will stay with them, offering reassurance, a drink of water, and a comforting presence. We might gently place a cool cloth on their forehead or check their temperature if they feel warm.
This initial period is about assessment and care. We observe your child closely to understand what's wrong while ensuring they are not feeling distressed or alone. It's a calm and quiet process designed to make a poorly child feel secure until we can speak with you.
When We Will Call You
Knowing when you'll get a call from us is important for your peace of mind. We promise to communicate clearly and without causing alarm. We will contact you or your listed emergency contacts immediately if your child shows specific symptoms that require them to be at home.
These symptoms include:
- A fever with a temperature of 38°C or higher.
- Vomiting or more than one instance of diarrhoea (loose, watery bowel motions).
- An unexplained rash, skin sores, or blisters.
- Significant lethargy, where the child is not their usual self and is unable to participate in the day's activities.
- Breathing difficulties or severe, persistent coughing.
- Signs of significant pain or distress.
For minor symptoms, like a clear runny nose without a fever or other signs of illness, we will typically monitor your child throughout the day. However, if they become distressed or their condition worsens, we will always call you to discuss the best course of action. When we phone you, we will calmly explain your child's symptoms and what we have done to make them comfortable.
The Collection Process
When we call, we will ask you to arrange for your child to be collected as soon as you reasonably can. This is for two important reasons. Firstly, a sick child is most comfortable resting in their own home with their family. Secondly, a prompt collection helps prevent the spread of illness to other children and our educators at the centre.
We know that you have work and other commitments, and we truly appreciate your cooperation in collecting your child quickly. If you are unable to come yourself, you can send another authorised person listed on your child's enrolment form. Please just let us know who we should expect to see.
When you arrive, the room educator or a member of our leadership team will give you a detailed handover. We'll explain the symptoms we observed, the time they started, and any actions we took. This gives you all the information you need to care for your child at home or share with a doctor.
Illness Policies and Exclusion Periods
To keep our community safe and healthy, Meraki Early Learning Centres follow the strict guidelines set by the Victorian Department of Health. These guidelines specify minimum exclusion periods for infectious illnesses, which tell us how long a child must stay home after being sick.
These rules are not just for our centre; they are standard across all early childhood services to protect public health. The most common exclusion periods are:
- Vomiting or Diarrhoea: Your child must stay home until at least 24 hours after their last episode.
- Fever: Your child can return 24 hours after their fever has gone without the help of fever-reducing medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Your child can return once all the blisters have dried.
- Conjunctivitis: Your child can return once any discharge from the eyes has stopped.
These are just examples. We will always inform you of the specific exclusion period required for your child's illness. Following these guidelines is a vital part of our partnership, ensuring that both our childcare in Mooroolbark and our centre in Bayswater remain healthy places for all children to learn and play.
Keeping Everyone Healthy: Our Hygiene Practices
Preventing illness is just as important as managing it. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene to minimise the spread of germs. These practices are embedded in our daily routines and are a core part of our commitment to your child's health.
Our educators and children wash their hands regularly throughout the day, especially before meals and after using the bathroom or blowing their noses. We teach children proper handwashing techniques as a crucial life skill. All our toys, surfaces, and equipment are cleaned and sanitised on a strict schedule.
Our on-site chefs also follow rigorous food safety plans when preparing the fresh, nutritious meals and snacks included in your daily fee. By being proactive and consistent with our hygiene, we create an environment where children are less likely to fall ill and can focus on the important work of playing, learning, and growing.
What About Medication?
Our medication policy is designed to ensure the absolute safety of every child. We can only administer medication that has been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or pharmacist for your child. The medication must be in its original container with the pharmacy label clearly showing your child’s name, the dosage, and the expiry date.
For us to give your child any prescribed medication, you must complete and sign a medication authorisation form each morning you bring it in. This form confirms the correct dosage and the time it needs to be given. Unfortunately, we cannot accept verbal instructions.
It's important to know that we do not administer non-prescription medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage a fever and allow a child to stay at the centre. A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection, and a child with a fever needs to rest and recover at home.
Returning to Care After Sickness
We look forward to welcoming your child back once they are well again. Before they return, you must ensure they have completed the full exclusion period. They should be their happy, energetic self and well enough to fully participate in our daily programme, whether they are in our nursery rooms or our funded Three-Year-Old Kinder programme.
For most common illnesses, a doctor's certificate is not required for your child to return. However, for some specific infectious diseases, we may ask for a medical clearance certificate to confirm your child is no longer contagious. We will always let you know if this is needed when you collect them.
We see health and wellbeing as a partnership between our Meraki family and yours. Clear communication and working together helps ensure every child feels their best. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us or read more on our blog.
Frequently asked questions
Will I be charged for the day if my child is sent home sick?
Yes, daily fees still apply if your child attends for part of the day and is sent home sick. This holds your child’s place. You may still be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy for allowable absence days. For specifics, please check your MyGov account or speak with Services Australia.
What if my child just has a runny nose?
A simple runny nose, without other symptoms like fever or lethargy, usually doesn't require collection. Our educators will monitor them closely. If their condition changes or they seem unwell and unable to participate in activities, we will call you. We focus on their overall wellbeing, not just single symptoms.
Can you give my child Panadol or Nurofen for a fever?
We cannot administer non-prescription medication to reduce a fever so a child can remain at the centre. Our policy, for the safety of all children, is that a child with a fever needs to recover at home. We can only administer medication prescribed by a doctor with a completed daily authorisation form.
What if I can't get there right away to pick them up?
We understand you have commitments and ask that you come as soon as you can. If you are unable, you can send an authorised nominee listed on your child’s enrolment form to collect them. Just let our team know who to expect when we call you.
How do you decide on the exclusion period?
We follow the minimum exclusion periods recommended by the Victorian Department of Health. These are outlined in the official 'Staying Healthy' guide and are designed to prevent the spread of common infectious illnesses in childcare settings. This ensures a healthier environment for all children and staff.
Do I need a doctor's certificate for my child to return?
For most common illnesses like a cold or gastro, a doctor's certificate isn't needed as long as the full exclusion period has passed. For certain infectious diseases, a medical clearance certificate may be required by public health guidelines. We will let you know if this is the case when you collect your child.
Book a tour of Meraki ELC
Want to see how we'd answer this for your family? Book a tour at our Mooroolbark or Bayswater centre — or use the contact form and we'll come back to you within one business day.