1St Week in Daycare and Already Sick

I have worked at two daycare's and honestly i quit both ones two weeks after i started working there. One reason was because i disagreed with the way they treat the kids, they would give the kids a little amount of food to eat for breakfast and lunch and if they wouldnt eat they would throw it away,instead of helping them eat and they are suppose to clean all toys and wash all blankets every friday but they never did it, so the whole place was filled with germs and out of over 50 kids at eachdaycare there wasnt a dy when i didnt see over half of them sick. i dont know if there is a good daycare out there, if there is let me know i have a two year old daughter and im trying to get her in daycare at this time too but after workin at one id rather pay a close friend or family member

I have not only been in your shoes but I work in a daycare now as well. When my daughter started her first daycare, she was sick within 2 days. My other daughter got sick quickly as well and was sick off and on for a couple of months. It just happens when they are first exposed to the germs of other kids. No amount of sanitizing can prevent it all. Just look around and ensure yourself that it is acceptably clean (understand that no daycare will be spotless with all those kids). As long as you are happy there...don't stress out too much...it will pass. It's a pain in the butt...but it will pass.

I completely agree with Angela, watch for developing allergies as well. When my daughter (2) started daycare for the first time in February of this year, she was sick in the first week and continued to get sick, for about 4 months she missed at least one day or more a week being sick. Stomach viruses, sinus infections, ear infections that we just could not get rid of. I knew it was not someting wrong with the daycare because I know the owner and have known most of the staff forever and have used them for my son. It turns out that even though the doctors were telling me that it was just being exposed to germs she wasnt used to, she had developed a milk allergy. After switching to soy milk and eliminiting cow milk based dairy, she is 100% better. So I guess what I am trying to say is, if it goes on for a LONG time and it is really frequent, dont just assume that it is only new germs.

I use to work day care and now I'm at home. I can tell you that he will probably be sick for a while but don't worry it's not the day care itself. most first time children in day care get sick because their immune system has to build up. I can let you know that at least you started him know and not in the winter. I've seen children start day care in the winter and they miss more then they are they. He will be alright in about a month or two.

H. C.

That is so frustrating!!! The same thing happened to us when we switched our sons daycare last January. My Pediatrician said that a new daycare brings a new set of germs to get used to. He said that most kids get sick soon after switching daycare with something small like a cold. he also said that kids in daycare in general get an average of 8 infections a year, but that as long as they are not serious and are restricted to your regualr cold and evena stomach bug every once and a while that it is normal. Kids of day care age share toys and germs since they tend not to wash their hands, wipe their noses with thier hands or sleeves and still to som e extent put things in their mouths!

Good luck! Hope he gets better soon!!

I kept my son at home for six months with me, till i went to work. The first day care i had him in. He was sick like every week with somthing new. I spent like 500 + dollars in medical bills. I switch daycares and he did not get sick as much, still got sick, but was not everyday. I think anytime your child is around other children they are going to spread grems and colds. Parent do not keep their children at home anymore when they are sick. So my opinion is it is better for hte babies to get sick now, that way later in life when they go to school they will have a stronger immune sustem built up. I hate that my baby gets sick a lot. He has been to the ER twice this year and the dr. offices at least 14 times.

Hope this helps.

I am a stay at home mom who worked in a daycare before i got married. I really don't believe that switching daycare is going to fix your problem. Any daycare you go to is going to have other sick children. That is why your little boy is shaking his cold. As far as when to call a doctor if the cold doesn't clear up call or it could turn in to RSV.

I'm not pushing quitting work because I know some families can't afford to. I know with my husband and I we made GREAT sacrifices just for me to stay home.

Here's an idea though. If it set you back 300 dollars to switch daycare facilities, why not find someone to keep your child in your own home. THis way your son is in the comfort of his own home and is not exposed to so many illnesses. I'm not germaphobic, but every child likes to be in familiar surroundings. It's just and idea, Good Luck.

Our 14 month old hardly ever gets sick anymore! His first few months at daycare, he seemed to always have a cold. Whatever he got - my husband and I also got. It is better that he is getting exposed to all the germs and bugs now so that he can build up his immune system now rather that his first few weeks in school when all the fun stuff is going on!

Been there done that.... My first question for you is Do you have allergies? I do and my daughter has them too. So be careful before you automatically call the doctor about a cold. That way you aren't out that much more money for something the doctor won't do much about anyway. Next, with her cold---does she have any fever. If not, Don't worry about it unless she has trouble breathing with stuffy nose.
My daughter always seemed to bring something home from daycare...BUT the brightside of all of these colds now...your child will be exposed to this stuff and her system won't be shocked by it later. Basically, (and this was my doctor's words) your child won't get sick as much when they are an older child. Not that they will never get sick and you shouldn't worry about it (your a mom---you will always worry about it and that is ok too). However, High Fever (above 101) and ear Infections are what you should worry about the most.