Daycare Sick Policy Guide 2026: When to Keep Your Child Home

One of the most stressful aspects of daycare life is figuring out when your child is too sick to attend. Every parent has faced that early morning dilemma: Is this fever high enough to stay home? Will they send my child home anyway?

This guide covers everything about daycare sick policies in 2026: what symptoms typically require staying home, how to plan for sick days, and how to work with your daycare on illness-related decisions.

Table of Contents

• Why Sick Policies Exist
• Common Exclusion Symptoms
• Specific Illness Guidelines
• Return-to-Care Requirements
• Planning for Sick Days
• Working with Your Daycare
• Medication at Daycare

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Why Sick Policies Exist

Understanding the reasoning helps.

Protecting All Children

Sick policies help:

• Prevent disease spread
• Protect vulnerable children
• Keep staff healthy
• Maintain care ratios
• Allow sick child to rest and recover

The Challenge for Parents

Why it's hard:

• You can't miss work constantly
• Sick days add up fast
• Symptoms can be ambiguous
• Rules vary by daycare
• Young children get sick frequently

Typical First-Year Reality

Expect:

• 8-12 colds per year (normal for young children)
• 2-4 ear infections (common)
• 1-2 stomach bugs
• Various minor illnesses
• Many more sick days than you anticipated

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Common Exclusion Symptoms

When your child typically can't attend.

Fever

Most policies require staying home if:

• Temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Some daycares: 101°F or higher
• Fever within last 24 hours

Return typically requires:

• Fever-free for 24 hours
• Without fever-reducing medication
• Child seems well otherwise

Vomiting

Exclusion usually required:

• Any vomiting in last 24 hours
• Regardless of suspected cause
• Until no vomiting for 24 hours

Return typically requires:

• 24 hours without vomiting
• Keeping food down normally
• Adequate hydration

Diarrhea

Typically can't attend if:

• 2+ loose stools above normal
• Diarrhea within last 24 hours
• Accidents in toilet-trained child

Return typically requires:

• 24 hours without diarrhea
• Normal bowel movements
• No accidents

Rashes

Exclusion often required for:

• Undiagnosed rash
• Rash with fever
• Spreading rash
• Possible contagious rash

Can often attend if:

• Doctor confirms non-contagious
• Rash is clearly identified (eczema, contact)
• Written doctor's note provided

Eye Symptoms

Pink eye/conjunctivitis requires:

• Staying home until treated
• Usually 24 hours on antibiotics
• Or doctor's note saying non-contagious

Signs to watch:

• Red, irritated eyes
• Discharge (yellow/green)
• Crusty eyes upon waking
• Excessive tearing

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Specific Illness Guidelines

Rules for common childhood illnesses.

Respiratory Illnesses

Common Cold:

• Can usually attend with mild symptoms
• Must stay home if fever present
• Excessive coughing may require exclusion
• Green mucus alone isn't reason to exclude

Flu (Influenza):

• Exclude until fever-free 24 hours
• May need longer exclusion
• Often 3-5 days at home
• Return when feeling well

RSV:

• Highly contagious for infants
• Exclude during acute illness
• May need doctor clearance
• Can be serious for young babies

COVID-19:

• Follow current CDC guidelines
• Typically 5+ days isolation
• Test negative or clearance required
• Policies vary by daycare

Gastrointestinal Illnesses

Stomach Flu/Norovirus:

• Highly contagious
• 24-48 hours after symptoms stop
• Very strict exclusion usually
• Common in daycare settings

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease:

• Common in young children
• Exclude while fever present
• May return once fever-free
• Lesions may persist (usually okay)

Skin Conditions

Chickenpox:

• Rare due to vaccines
• Exclude until lesions crusted
• Usually 5-7 days
• Doctor clearance often needed

Impetigo:

• Bacterial skin infection
• Exclude until 24 hours on antibiotics
• Sores should be covered
• Doctor's note usually required

Ringworm:

• Fungal infection
• Exclude until treatment started
• Cover affected area
• Can return after 24 hours of treatment

Head Lice:

• Policies vary widely
• Some: exclude until treated
• Others: can stay with treatment started
• Check your specific daycare's policy

Ear Infections

Generally can attend if:

• No fever
• Not contagious
• Child comfortable enough to participate
• Not on restricted activity

May need to stay home if:

• Fever present
• Child in significant pain
• Too tired/fussy to participate

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Return-to-Care Requirements

What's needed to come back.

Common Requirements

Fever:

• 24 hours fever-free without medication
• Some require 24 hours symptom-free

Vomiting/Diarrhea:

• 24 hours without symptoms
• Normal eating resumed

Antibiotics:

• 24 hours on medication typically
• For strep, pink eye, etc.

Doctor's Notes:

• Required for some illnesses
• Confirms non-contagious
• Clears child to return

When Doctor's Notes Are Needed

Typically required for:

• Rashes (confirming non-contagious)
• Pink eye (confirming treatment)
• Strep throat
• Any ambiguous illness
• Extended absence (3+ days)
• Certain reportable diseases

What notes should say:

• Child's name
• Date seen
• Diagnosis
• Cleared to return to childcare
• Any restrictions

Medication Requirements

If child needs medication at daycare:

• Written parent authorization
• Doctor's orders for prescription
• Medication in original container
• Clear dosing instructions
• Usually prescription only

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Planning for Sick Days

Preparing for the inevitable.

Building Your Backup Plan

Options to consider:

1. Flexible work arrangements
2. Partner coordination
3. Family help nearby
4. Backup care services
5. Sick child daycare (rare but exists)
6. Babysitters willing to care for sick children

Estimating Sick Days

Typical first year: | Scenario | Estimated Days | |----------|----------------| | Common illnesses | 10-15 days | | Doctor visits | 5-8 days | | Recovery days | 5-10 days | | Total | 20-30+ days |

Gets better:

• Year 2: Often 50% fewer sick days
• Year 3+: Significantly less
• Immunity builds over time

Work Strategies

Discuss with employer:

• Remote work options
• Flexible hours
• Sick leave policies
• Family medical leave
• Part-time arrangements

Coordinate with partner:

• Take turns staying home
• Track who's used what
• Plan coverage in advance
• Have backup for backup

Emergency Contacts

Maintain current list of:

• Relatives who can help
• Friends as backup
• Neighbors available
• Paid backup care options
• Work-from-home days you can use

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Working with Your Daycare

Partnership on illness management.

Understanding Their Policy

Get clarity on:

• Written sick policy (request copy)
• Specific exclusion symptoms
• Return requirements
• Notification procedures
• Pick-up time if child gets sick

When They Call You

Typical process:

• Daycare notices symptoms
• They isolate your child
• Call you to pick up
• Usually within 30-60 minutes expected
• Have backup plan ready

What to do:

• Respond promptly
• Don't argue (leave that for later)
• Pick up within required time
• Assess child yourself
• Follow return guidelines

Communicating About Illness

Tell daycare:

• If child is feeling "off" at drop-off
• What symptoms you've noticed
• Any illness in household
• Medication given that morning
• Doctor appointments scheduled

Ask daycare:

• What illnesses are going around
• How child seemed throughout day
• Any concerning symptoms
• What triggered the call (if sent home)

If You Disagree

Common disagreements:

• Sent home for minor symptoms
• Stricter than you think necessary
• Different interpretation of "fever"
• Return requirements seem excessive

How to handle:

• Follow policy in the moment
• Discuss concerns later, privately
• Ask for policy clarification
• Get doctor's input if needed
• Understand their liability concerns

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Medication at Daycare

Managing ongoing health needs.

General Policies

Most daycares require:

• Written parent authorization
• Prescription medication in pharmacy bottle
• Doctor's orders (for prescription)
• Original container with child's name
• Clear dosing instructions

Over-the-Counter Medication

Policies vary:

• Some don't give any OTC meds
• Some give with doctor's note
• Some give with parent permission
• Fever reducers usually allowed

Common OTC medications:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil)
• Diaper cream
• Sunscreen
• Antihistamines

Chronic Conditions

For ongoing needs (asthma, allergies, etc.):

• Detailed care plan required
• Staff training on administration
• Emergency action plan
• All supplies provided
• Regular communication

Documentation needed:

• Doctor's written orders
• Parent authorization
• Emergency contacts
• Treatment protocols
• When to call 911

Medication Tips

To ensure proper administration:

• Clear, written instructions
• Easy-to-read labels
• Track doses given
• Communicate with daycare daily
• Replace expired medications

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Preventing Illness

Reducing sick days over time.

Daycare-Side Prevention

Quality daycares:

• Frequent handwashing
• Regular toy sanitization
• Proper diaper changing procedures
• Good ventilation
• Sick policy enforcement

Ask about:

• Cleaning protocols
• Handwashing frequency
• Sanitization practices
• Staff health policies

Home-Side Prevention

Help your child:

• Adequate sleep
• Healthy nutrition
• Regular handwashing
• Up-to-date vaccinations
• Stress management (yes, even for kids)

At-home practices:

• Wash hands after daycare
• Change clothes after daycare (some parents do)
• Healthy diet
• Plenty of rest
• Reduce exposure to sick family members

Building Immunity

Remember:

• Frequent illness is normal at first
• Each illness builds immunity
• It gets better with time
• Long-term health may benefit
• You're not doing anything wrong

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Sick Day Survival Checklist

Prepare in Advance

• [ ] Know daycare's sick policy
• [ ] Understand return requirements
• [ ] Build backup care list
• [ ] Discuss with employer about flexibility
• [ ] Coordinate with partner
• [ ] Stock up on supplies (thermometer, meds, comfort items)
• [ ] Have pediatrician's number handy

When Child Is Sick

• [ ] Assess symptoms against policy
• [ ] Make care decision early
• [ ] Notify daycare if keeping home
• [ ] Arrange work coverage
• [ ] Document symptoms and timeline
• [ ] Follow up with doctor if needed
• [ ] Track when symptoms resolve

Before Returning

• [ ] Meets all return criteria
• [ ] Fever-free without medication (if required)
• [ ] Symptom-free for required period
• [ ] Doctor's note if needed
• [ ] Child well enough to participate
• [ ] Notify daycare of return

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Quick Reference: Exclusion Guide

| Symptom | Usually Must Stay Home | Can Usually Attend | |---------|----------------------|-------------------| | Fever 100.4°F+ | ✓ | | | Vomiting (last 24 hrs) | ✓ | | | Diarrhea (2+ loose stools) | ✓ | | | Pink eye (untreated) | ✓ | | | Undiagnosed rash | ✓ | | | Strep throat (untreated) | ✓ | | | Mild runny nose | | ✓ | | Minor cough (no fever) | | ✓ | | Ear infection (no fever) | | ✓ | | Known eczema | | ✓ | | After 24 hrs fever-free | | ✓ |

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Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• First Week of Daycare Tips
• Daycare Communication Apps Guide
• Questions to Ask Daycare Providers

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Last updated: December 2025