Sick child policy - what would you do? Post Reply

[momtomum]

So dear husband and I have realized a big mistake in our first nanny contract. We did not define what is a minor illness vs. what is a serious, contagious illness for a child.

Unfortunately, now our nanny is refusing to come to work when one of our children has what we consider a minor illness. We have a few nursery and school age children. And as happens with children, our littles come down with frequent colds and fevers.

We're not debating over vomiting, the flu, or anything that would require a trip to the GP...where do you draw the line? When would you feel your child was too sick for your nanny to come to work? What if your nanny had a child of her own? What if said illness was possibly caused by the nanny who was sick the previous week?

[Goldhawk]

so what is the illness?

[momtomum]

In this case a 38 degree fever with no other symptoms. In my opinion, the child just needs to rest for a day or two at home. He is old enough to wash his hands and to not share germs with others....

[lindylindylindy]

Hello

I'm a child minder and normally go by the HPA guidelines. (Health Protection Agency).

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/H ... 4947358374


As nannies, childminders etc you have to be prepared to work with children who are teething and have colds etc. Like you say, with contagious things like vomiting, diarrhoea it's recommended to stay away for 48 hours with a view to protecting other children within a childcare setting, oneself and ones family. With things like children taking antibiotics it's recommended to let them kick in before them coming back to the setting, so normally a day or two.

One thing we were told on the childcare course and then again on the first aid training was to ask parents to collect a child with a high temperature immediately as this could have so many causes and things like calpol just mask the symptoms.

As childminders we have a sickness policy so that parents can read it and know exactly where they stand in this sometimes grey area!

Hope this helps....

[BFW]

I have had the same (amazing!) nanny for 5 years and she has NEVER missed a day of work because one of my kids being Ill. It sounds very strange and I would address with your nanny straight away. Most of the nannies that I know would deal with flu / colds / sick bugs / chickenpox etc? I guess the only reason they wouldn't is if they were pregnant and it's an illness that could be harmful for their baby? And I would want to be around if one of my kids had really high temperature or was really unhappy.

Speak to a nanny agency to see what the norm is but think this sounds pretty unusual to me!

[momtomum]

That's where I am at...I think she wants a paid day off.

[topmama]

Is this the same nanny that was asking for a pay increase and more sick pay after only 6 months!?!?

[Goldhawk]

Now is the time to define those minor / major illnesses

[momtomum]

Yes, same nanny. And yes, I think we be much more specific in our new contract about what is minor vs. major...

[2009Kat]

Goodness - that has really surprised me, never occurred to me that a nanny wouldn't turn up because the children are ill - mine has dealt with chicken pox, sick, colds etc. and has only been off when she was actually ill. Obviously there are limits I suppose and rules have to be different for nurseries, childminders. But a temperature of 38 and a winter bug?!

[kiwimummy]

really? she sounds like a keeper...

honestly, i can't imagine my nanny not turning up for something as minor as that! she's nursed children through pretty much everything.

your nanny is taking the mick a bit.

[shopper]

Totally ridiculous imo! For me that was a key point of having a nanny so that if one of the children were sick we didn't have to take a day off work (as compared to what would happen in a nursery scenario). We had a fab nanny for 5 years or so and she would never have dreamt of doing this and would definitely have seen it within her job remit to deal with routine childhood illnesses, including chicken pox and the like. We always discussed medication and contacting me if things got worse but first line respose was most certainly her.

[SW Nanny]

How utterly ridiculous! As a nanny myself I personally would not take time off if my charge was sick and I have cared for children with vomiting, chicken pox, chest infections etc. So a high temperature is definitely not grounds for not coming in.

I see it as part and parcel of the job and most nannies are willing to look after a sick child, I would definitely include this in your next nanny contract as this is not an unreasonable request at all. Stand your ground on this one.

[nanny_kitty]

Totally agree with you NannyCharlotte. Entirely part of the job.

[AbbevilleMummy]

In my opinion it looks as though this nanny is just not working out for you and your family.

I would strongly recommend that you try to move on and find another nanny ASAP as there are so many wonderful nannies out there who will take pleasure in making you and your family's lives easier.

The various issues you have raised about are nanny on this post and the other one are totally unacceptable and I've never experienced anything like this with my nannies.

Once you've made the decision to switch, I'm sure you will not look back. And don't worry about the upheaval for your baby, they're so adaptable and the main thing is that you're happy.