Health
When your child is sick at nursery or kindergarten
Article author: mgr Aneta Świderska - Dyrektor, Opiekun, Lektor
In brief
Keep a child with a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or an unexplained rash at home until the symptoms pass. If you are worried, call a doctor, and in an emergency call 112. A child who feels well and has no fever can usually return. Our rules on medicine and certificates are in our documents.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. Our rules may differ in detail, so please confirm them with our carers before your child starts.
When should a child stay at home?
Children in nursery and kindergarten catch more infections than children who spend their days at home, especially in the first months. This is normal, because their bodies are meeting new germs and building up immunity.
A sick child needs to rest and should not pass the infection on to others. Keep your child at home when you notice any of the signs below.
Signs that mean your child stays at home
- Fever: your child stays at home until their temperature is normal without fever-reducing medicine.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea: your child stays at home until the symptoms have stopped, usually for at least 48 hours after the last episode.
- A rash of unknown cause: see a doctor first.
- A cough with difficulty breathing or wheezing: see a doctor, not the nursery.
- Severe tiredness, drowsiness or crying that cannot be settled.
What to do in common situations
| Situation | What to do | Can your child come in? |
|---|---|---|
| Runny nose, mild cough, child feels well | Watch your child and keep them drinking and resting | Usually yes |
| Fever | Stay with your child and contact a doctor | No, until the temperature is normal without medicine |
| Vomiting or diarrhoea | Offer small sips of fluid and watch your child | No, until the symptoms have stopped |
| Rash of unknown cause | Have a doctor check it | After a doctor's check |
| Infectious illness, for example strep throat or scabies | Follow the doctor's treatment plan | After treatment and as the doctor advises |
What happens at the nursery when a child is unwell?
A carer checks your child
Your child is settled in a quiet place, with a carer who stays with them. They are not left alone.
You are told
We call the parent or the emergency contact on your child's form, so please keep those numbers up to date.
Collection as soon as possible
A parent or an adult named on the form collects your child. Please come as soon as you can.
In an emergency
We call 112 and inform the parent straight away.
Medicine at the nursery
We give medicine only with the parent's written consent and a doctor's recommendation.
You will find the detailed rules in our documents.
Your child's health information
When you enrol your child, we collect information about their health and allergies, and any doctor's recommendations. We use it only to care for your child, as described in our privacy policy.
If your child has an allergy, a special diet or a long-term illness, please tell us before the first day. Read how we handle meals in our allergens article.
When can your child come back?
Your child can come back once the symptoms have passed and they feel well. After an infectious illness, check with your doctor when it is safe to return.
Ask us whether we need a medical certificate. It depends on the illness and on our rules.
Common questions
Can I bring my child if they have no fever?
It depends on the symptoms. A child with a mild runny nose who feels well can usually join the group. Vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash or a cough with difficulty breathing means your child stays at home.
Will the nursery give my child medicine?
Only with the parent's written consent and a doctor's recommendation. Please ask us before the first day how this works here.
What happens if my child becomes ill during the day?
We call you, and your child waits with a carer until you collect them.
Do I need a doctor's certificate after an illness?
It depends on the illness. Ask us, and we will tell you if we need one.
See also
Read next
NurseryWhat does settling in at the nursery look like?Settling in means getting used to a new place, a new group and new carers, step by step. In our nursery, children have the same carers in two small groups, and each child joins activities at their own pace. Before the first day, talk to the carers, agree how the first days will go and keep goodbyes calm and short.
MealsHow do you read the menu and allergen labels?Dishes with allergens have numbers in brackets on the weekly menu. These are allergen codes: (1,6), for example, means gluten and milk. The full legend of codes 1 to 11 is on the meals page. If your child has an allergy or a special diet, please tell us as early as possible, ideally before the first day.
Daily lifeWhat does a day at the nursery and kindergarten look like?At Magiczna Kraina nursery and kindergarten, the day runs from 7:00 to 17:00. Children play, exercise, eat and rest, and in the afternoon they take part in extra activities. The nursery serves four meals a day and the kindergarten three. The exact activities depend on the group and the day of the week.
Want to know more?
Get in touch by phone or email. We are happy to answer your questions and arrange a visit.