Questions about COVID + Daycare

[Anonymous]

Hello! New mom here and hoping for some insight from those who've navigated the daycare + COVID landscape these past couple years. Our 5.5 month old had a cough/congestion (no fever) last Monday 10/3 so we kept him home from daycare. Wednesday 10/5 his symptoms went away so we wanted to send him. Brought him to dr and he tested positive for COVID. He is still testing positive as of today 10/10.

1. The rule is we can send him either 10 days after symptoms start OR with a negative test, correct? So Thursday 10/13 we can send him unless negative sooner?
2. Is it standard to have to continue to pay for daycare even if keeping him out? I was under the impression that childcare receives funding through the DC Child Care Provider Relief Fund - but maybe this is no longer in effect or I misunderstand the purpose?
3. HOW have other parents dealt with this extended time off work? Just burn through your PTO/sick time?

It's frustrating to take time off and pay for childcare we aren't using! For a symptom-free kid. Am I just new here? Looking forward to getting him vaccinated soon!

[Anonymous]

On 1., you’ll have to check with your state and specific daycare guidelines. They all seem to differ

On 2 & 3, unfortunately this is the reality parents have had to deal with since the pandemic began. Yes, you have to keep paying. Yes it sucks. You’re paying for a spot, not for care really. With time off, I’ve been really fortunate to have a very lax work atmosphere where I’m given a lot of leeway with COVID related illness. Between that and a helpful partner, that’s how we’ve gotten by. I don’t know how others with more restrictive jobs do it. I’ve had a few times were my child wasn’t even sick or testing positive but had to stay home for TEN days because some kid in class got it. It was wild. I’m thankful for the vaccine and the relatively laxer policies we have today.

Hang in there. It sucks for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I just send mine regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! New mom here and hoping for some insight from those who've navigated the daycare + COVID landscape these past couple years. Our 5.5 month old had a cough/congestion (no fever) last Monday 10/3 so we kept him home from daycare. Wednesday 10/5 his symptoms went away so we wanted to send him. Brought him to dr and he tested positive for COVID. He is still testing positive as of today 10/10.

1. The rule is we can send him either 10 days after symptoms start OR with a negative test, correct? So Thursday 10/13 we can send him unless negative sooner?
Check policies/communications your daycare has previously issued, and/or ask the health department and/or whatever regulatory source your daycare is using as guidance
2. Is it standard to have to continue to pay for daycare even if keeping him out? I was under the impression that childcare receives funding through the DC Child Care Provider Relief Fund - but maybe this is no longer in effect or I misunderstand the purpose?
We still pay, even if daycare shuts down the classroom (the latter is a newer policy, it sucks)
3. HOW have other parents dealt with this extended time off work? Just burn through your PTO/sick time?
WFH with sick kid(s). Unless your employer strictly forbids it, I guess.

It's frustrating to take time off and pay for childcare we aren't using! For a symptom-free kid. Am I just new here? Looking forward to getting him vaccinated soon!

Yep, childcare in general, whichever kind you use, is a big ol' doody sandwich and you get to take a big bite. COVID just made it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! New mom here and hoping for some insight from those who've navigated the daycare + COVID landscape these past couple years. Our 5.5 month old had a cough/congestion (no fever) last Monday 10/3 so we kept him home from daycare. Wednesday 10/5 his symptoms went away so we wanted to send him. Brought him to dr and he tested positive for COVID. He is still testing positive as of today 10/10.

1. The rule is we can send him either 10 days after symptoms start OR with a negative test, correct? So Thursday 10/13 we can send him unless negative sooner?
2. Is it standard to have to continue to pay for daycare even if keeping him out? I was under the impression that childcare receives funding through the DC Child Care Provider Relief Fund - but maybe this is no longer in effect or I misunderstand the purpose?
3. HOW have other parents dealt with this extended time off work? Just burn through your PTO/sick time?

It's frustrating to take time off and pay for childcare we aren't using! For a symptom-free kid. Am I just new here? Looking forward to getting him vaccinated soon!

Last time I checked it is 10 days for an infant since they can’t wear masks.

YES you pay! Geeze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! New mom here and hoping for some insight from those who've navigated the daycare + COVID landscape these past couple years. Our 5.5 month old had a cough/congestion (no fever) last Monday 10/3 so we kept him home from daycare. Wednesday 10/5 his symptoms went away so we wanted to send him. Brought him to dr and he tested positive for COVID. He is still testing positive as of today 10/10.

1. The rule is we can send him either 10 days after symptoms start OR with a negative test, correct? So Thursday 10/13 we can send him unless negative sooner?
2. Is it standard to have to continue to pay for daycare even if keeping him out? I was under the impression that childcare receives funding through the DC Child Care Provider Relief Fund - but maybe this is no longer in effect or I misunderstand the purpose?
3. HOW have other parents dealt with this extended time off work? Just burn through your PTO/sick time?

It's frustrating to take time off and pay for childcare we aren't using! For a symptom-free kid. Am I just new here? Looking forward to getting him vaccinated soon!

The fund was to pay workers while they forced to be closed. They are now open and you must pay.

STOP testing him - he could test positive for months and you are only delaying his return. His return will depend on your childcare’s rules so ask them directly.

[Anonymous]

What is your daycare’s policy for return? Follow that.
And yes, you have to pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just send mine regardless.

+1 Don’t ask, don’t tell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just send mine regardless.

+1 Don’t ask, don’t tell

Seriously! Our daycare sent a note out saying there was a case of RSV in the class but they were allowed to return but for covid, which many times is less problematic than RSV is the smallest kids, you’re out for 10 days.

[Anonymous]

Everyone saying don’t ask don’t tell, you are horrible. Thank god my family has a nanny. Now I’m dreading preschool, though.

[Anonymous]

For us it was 5 days from his positive test.

And, yes, we kept him home. My uncle died of COVID (he was vaxxed but had chronic leukemia) I'm not going to be responsible for killing someone else's older relative.

[Anonymous]

Check your school’s policy. Even if it’s ten days, it would be ten days since first symptom onset since your child was symptomic.

Yes, you pay. Yes, it sucks. Fortunately for under-1s, I can still get a good chunk of work done during nap times. When my non-napping preschooler is home the whole day is basically shot.

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just send mine regardless.

+1 Don’t ask, don’t tell

This 100%. A positive test is just going to delay your baby's return.

And yes most people burn through PTO or try to work and take care of the sick child. All of us who had small kids the past couple of years are exhausted. And yes you pay....while I get that, I calculated 60 lost daycare days (x2 kids) over two years (not even counting the spring of 2020 here). Hard pill to swallow but its what I signed up for with a daycare.

[Anonymous]

Sadly I just don't test anymore. When I do I use super shallow rapid tests at home. Because the answer of "How do you handle it with work?" is "I can't."