Children being sent home 'sick' from childcare

So we got a call from childcare saying they suspect our son has “foot and mouth” disease and we needed to pick him up and get a doctors clearance for him to come back. Went to get him and the childcare workers assessment of his illness was a few warts on his fingers (which he’s had for months) and a red dot on one of his palms and his foot (both just cuts and bumps).

We explained what these were but they started stating the policy and that we needed doctors clearance before he can come back. Not sure if you’ve tried to book at doctor’s appointment lately, but we had to wait five days before we could get into the GP. By the 4th day we contacted the childcare to say he hasn’t developed any blisters on his hands, mouth or feet, no temperature, he’s 100% normal can we bring him back? Answer, no get doctors clearance.

Eventually went to the doctor and the doctor said “this type of thing is the bane of my existence” and he noted, whilst he would do a physical exam, he would spend most of the time speaking to the parents to get their feedback and taking ALL of that into account make a diagnosis. Question is have you had to deal with this type of thing and how do you manage it? Can you push back on the childcare, seems like they hide behind their policy and hold the power in the situation?

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- - Zmijka86 said
  - 25 Jun 2023
    8:34 pm
My daughter preschool was calling me even if my daughter will mention that she is not feeling well…or sneeze once..
- - Chantal said
  - 20 Nov 2022
    11:21 pm
I understand the frustration, As I childcare worker myself I know the strict guidelines all childcare has to follow. I have literally caught everything from children and let me tell you it’s not fun. We are not doctors but we do have a responsibility to protect all kids within the centre. It is frustrating when parents bring children in sick because it goes through the centre quickly especially hand foot and mouth. Maybe they over reacted but in the end they would get there arses kicked not only by the director/manager but other parents also if they didn’t follow up on the policies they follow. Believe me the people that come out and assess the centres are harsh on us.. especially documenting everything dam thing. ????
- - nicb467615 said
  - 30 Oct 2022
    9:07 pm
I know its a hard slog for us parents, but I understand the childcare as well as they are trying to do the right thing by all the kids.
I have found a nearby bulk bill service that I use in instances like this where its for a quick diagnosis/ clearance. Then have another doctor for everything else
- - sars_angelchik said
  - 11 Oct 2022
    6:21 pm
I’ve had a child sent home for having a runny poo- no other symptoms and in the end he didn’t have anything wrong with him. Thankfully they didn’t ask for a certificate. There’s not a lot you can do as they have you over a barrel with childcare shortages, etc. Maybe a pharmacist may do a certificate?
- - mom75577 said
  - 11 Oct 2022
    12:25 pm
As a parent child care worker we are not Drs. We can’t diagnose something or not. We can presume, gut feeling etc.
But child care staff have a duty of care to staff and other children.
How many times do you hear ‘got it from child care? ‘
HFM is highly contagious in these setting. Before you know it whole rooms have it.
Sure it can be difficult to get in to Drs. I’m not sure where you live but there are walk in clinics. Tele health.
I’m not sure for HFM but pharmacy’s do sick certificates but not sure of clearances.
Hope all sorted now.
- - Dockerchic said
  - 11 Oct 2022
    1:15 am
We had exact same thing, but he only had 1 spot on a finger and 1 spot 9n his bum (in nappies). We were lucky to get a gp that afternoon, and he literally said the same thing. The bane of their existence. I understand caution, but it can get ridiculous
- - Motherhoodmama said
  - 10 Oct 2022
    8:54 pm
Sounds really frustrating. I’ve never had my sons daycare do that before. I can see where your centre is coming from, they are trying to protect others. I’d just comply personally.
- - mom180498 said
  - 10 Oct 2022
    8:24 pm
I mean I’d probably annoyed if it was my child but if it’s their policy and you agreed to it by sending your child to their centre then can you really question it?? I think whats ridiculous is how long it took you to get in to see the Dr I know you can’t help that but that’s nuts!!
- - emilys said
  - 30 Sep 2022
    12:15 pm
Great question. Lots of us have the same thoughts.
- - charmanda29 said
  - 27 Sep 2022
    9:39 pm
That sounds horrible that you’d have to go through that especially when you know your child and what they have. I have heard some childcare do have really strict policies and others are more lenient
- - mom465794 said
  - 27 Sep 2022
    1:38 pm
This has happened with us quite a few times but they really have to look out for the other kids too – you just need a clearance letter from your doctor and its all good from there
- - TraceyGail said
  - 06 Sep 2022
    7:54 am
l’d side with the childcare centre. The problem is the length of time to get into a Doctors and get the clearance. They have a duty of care to upkeep. Imagine if they said it probably wasn’t and it turned out it was.
- - mom461384 said
  - 11 Aug 2022
    3:44 pm
Can you supply the childcare with some sort of clearance letter from the doctor ?
- - Zmijka86 said
  - 25 Jul 2022
    8:44 pm
My daughter is calling me as soon my daughter will mention she is not well or just sneeze..
- - CaffimezMom said
  - 23 Jul 2022
    1:46 pm
It is such a hard place to be. I fully understand your position, but at the same time, after speaking with the daycare, they have criteria they need to meet etc, which makes it hard for them to do their jobs as well. I know this isn’t much of a response, but at the same time, i feel for you.