Should I take my daughter out of nursery school?
My daughter is 28 mnths old. She started nursery 6 wks ago. 2 evenings a week, 3 hours an evening. She is an only child and I wanted her to start mixing with other children & having fun with kids her own age. She absolutely loves going. Doesnt want to leave at home time and is very fond of her teacher already. The only problem is she has been sick almost every week since she started. She has picked up colds, eye infection, ear infection, chest infection, throat infection and a gastric bug since she started. The poor thing has never been so run down and ill. I was at the doctor yet again and she advised me to keep her out of nursery for a few weeks. Doctor said her immune system is very low and needs time to get fully better. Is there any point in letting her go back? Because she has not been around kids so much in the past does this mean she will pick up everything that is going. I feel so bad about keeping her out, she asks to go to nursery every day. Should I keep her out altogether?
This happens… I have worked in preschools for 14 years, I can tell you that ALL children, as well as adults get sick when they first start. The beginning of a new year is the worst time, since all the kids and adults are meeting for the first time ever. All those new germs in one place- of course you're going to get sick. Besides, little kids touch everything, and put everything in their mouth. This is why germs spread so rapidly at schools. Ask the teachers about their cleaning methods… they should be using soap and water to clean the toys children mouth, as well as cleaning surfaces with bleach and water solution at least once per week. I was worried about my daughters starting preschool, but I balanced it out this way… the more things they catch now, the fewer they will catch later. I'd rather they get sick in preschool, where their attendance doesn't really matter against their schooling, than later when they are in elementary school. So far, my oldest daughter (who is now 
has not missed a single day of school in the past two years. She started preschool when she was 2 1/2- was sick lots when she first started, and caught everything. I tell my parents of my kids in my class the same thing… get it over with now- they are going to catch stuff, you can't stop that- but the more germs they are exposed to now, the more immunity they build up. Of course, don't push your daughter to go if she gets pnemonia or something like that, but colds won't hurt.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am
These type of things happen when children are around each other…But you should be comfortable with the school and that they keep it disinfected, and clean, b/c this is very important with 2 yr olds…It might take her a while to biuld up immunity to these types of sickness, but iit will be worth it.
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preschool teacher
May 7th, 2009 at 7:46 am
NO!!! She needs interaction and to strenghten her immune system. But do keep her out for a bit and get her on a great kid vitamin. Not flinstones either. Go to a health food store or whole foods.
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May 7th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Yes, there is a point in letting her go back. The fact that she loves it is probably point enough.
Honestly, she's gonna get sick…It's either now, in nursery school, or in Kindergarten. If she does it now, she has a chance to build up additional antibodies, and therefore be healthier when she goes to elementary school.
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May 7th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Build up her immunity by giving her healthy foods and lots of exercise, vitamins, and liquids, etc.
When she is well send her back to nursery school a day or a couple of days a week and thereby limit exposure - while she still gets some time out from you and a chance to meet other children.
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May 7th, 2009 at 9:23 am
That happens when children who are generally by themselves are around other children for a extended periods of time. Its up to you whether you take her out or not. If you decide to put her back into a nusery school at a later date even if she is older she will have the same problem. Do what you feel is best though. If its the interaction with other kids you want for her: maybe you can set a play date with some of the moms at the nusery school.
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May 7th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Your poor little girl…and you too, it is hard to see your baby sick…but I don't think you should take her out completely…she will eventually build up a stronger immune system as she is exposed to different things…most kids who go to day care or school for the first time get sick quite often, but it happens less frequently as they build up their immune system…one thing though..you may want to make sure the nursery school is properly cleaning their toys and things…another factor is that we are in the wonderful cold and flu season…but something that may help is to give her supplemental vitamins…I give my kids gummy bear vitamins that have vitamin C and Echinacia (not sure of my spelling there!) Make sure she gets lots of vitamin C and zinc too…best of luck to you and hope your little one is feeling better soon!!!
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mom of 3…used to work in a day care
May 7th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Keep her home for a week or so until she's better, but definitely send her back. You don't want to go through this when she starts kindergarten!
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May 7th, 2009 at 10:32 am
People think, she's sick, expose her more. The truth is, once she is sick it will go into her system and NEXT time she is sick if she does get sick her immune system will be built up against that particular illness. As for now let her stay home to build back up her system, she is at a higher risk going back, being ill so much if she were to fall, hurt herself, anything even get another bug she could end up in the ER. Listen to your doctor. Your child is pushed to the limit on her immune system and needs time to heal.
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May 7th, 2009 at 11:19 am
No. If your child has not been around other kids, then she needs the social interaction as well as kicking up her immune system. I would suggest you look into an herbal immune support as well as ascidolpholis; this helps support the GOOD bacteria that lives in your gut, that helps balance your well being. You can actually find this in yogurt, but you can find it in your health food store as a powder or chewable tablet.
My child has survived day care with little incident. The cold and bug here and there but I assure you, if you support their immune system she will not be as sick.
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May 7th, 2009 at 11:38 am
If it doesn't happen now, it will likely happen in grade school. Its awful, even in 'clean' day care's, but its a fact of life. Talk to the preschool teacher make sure the the kids are washing their hands & that they bleach the toys down frequently (more than once a week)
This is a normal part of preschool and in a few months her immunity will get stronger. Which is a good thing : ) I would say don't take her out of preschool!
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May 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
This happens… I have worked in preschools for 14 years, I can tell you that ALL children, as well as adults get sick when they first start. The beginning of a new year is the worst time, since all the kids and adults are meeting for the first time ever. All those new germs in one place- of course you're going to get sick. Besides, little kids touch everything, and put everything in their mouth. This is why germs spread so rapidly at schools. Ask the teachers about their cleaning methods… they should be using soap and water to clean the toys children mouth, as well as cleaning surfaces with bleach and water solution at least once per week. I was worried about my daughters starting preschool, but I balanced it out this way… the more things they catch now, the fewer they will catch later. I'd rather they get sick in preschool, where their attendance doesn't really matter against their schooling, than later when they are in elementary school. So far, my oldest daughter (who is now
has not missed a single day of school in the past two years. She started preschool when she was 2 1/2- was sick lots when she first started, and caught everything. I tell my parents of my kids in my class the same thing… get it over with now- they are going to catch stuff, you can't stop that- but the more germs they are exposed to now, the more immunity they build up. Of course, don't push your daughter to go if she gets pnemonia or something like that, but colds won't hurt.
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May 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
These types of things happen when children begin being exposed to other children. It is better now, then when she starts Kindergarten. It may help to keep her home until she is 100% if possible, but don't pull her out completely. You could also start her on vitamins and have her eat a lot of fresh fruit. I would also ask her teachers what types of cleaning goes on in the rooms when a child is sick. Are the toys properly cleaned?
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May 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
28 months old and in a nursery school?
Of course she's going to going to catch germs from the others kids.
Is there a reason you don't want to her to be with you?
Afraid of bonding with your child?
Or do you just want to unload her onto someone else?
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May 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
When I started working in child care I got sick a lot. As I learned more about keeping things clean and sanitary we were all healthier, however I did notice that new children still continued to get sick, particularly right at first. So I think it's partly your immune system adjusting and partly how clean the caregivers keep the room. Does it smell clean? Do things look clean (even the floor)? Do they have sanitizing solutions (usually bleach solutions)? Are they having your child wash her hands or washing them for her? Most children do build up a tolerance so to speak but some children are just more prone to illnesses than others.
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Former child care provider now training caregivers for the state