sick lead teacher

[Anonymous]

what would you do if one of the lead teachers at your day care was sick? she has a cough, coughed into her hand, and then handled something which was given to a child. aren't kids at day care supposed to be taught to cough into their arms at least?

[Anonymous]

not ideal but it's a cold/cough. You're really going to pick a fight over this??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:not ideal but it's a cold/cough. You're really going to pick a fight over this??

OP here. I should have also said that in addition to the cough, her face looks sick and she is moving around slow.

Yes, likely just a cold/cough, but still something I don't want my child getting. I don't want my child sick and uncomfortable - or at risk of that cold escalating into something worse. And aside from my child feeling bad with a cold/cough, I lose time from work and I still have to pay for day care. Not something I take lightly.

I certainly understand that people get sick, but I get upset if steps can be taken to prevent it. If my child gets sick because of a teacher that doesn't do what children are taught when coughing, that is frustrating. The CDC says "If they don't have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve or elbow, not their hands."

Aren't day care providers given training on how to prevent the spread of germs? Shouldn't that include their own germs?

Of course I don't want to pick a fight because I leave my kids there every day.

[Anonymous]

In DC all licensed daycares have to have a health and safety training. There is no excuse for a daycare provider to not know how to sheild a sneeze and blow their nose. I would talk to the director. I am so sorry that this is happening to you.

[Anonymous]

Daycare worker here. Not sure why the teacher didn't use a tissue and then washed her hands. The child can wait, and I'm sure the parents appreciate the pause more than the spred of germs. However, if the teacher is that sick, which seems to be the case the way you are describing it, please bring it to the attention of the director. Sometimes we just don't have fill ins so we can't call out. It's not a job where we always have back up or the work can wait another day. So please let the director know that so and so does not appear to be feeling well, is everything ok? I have been told many times that I have to come to work because we are so short staffed but will try to get me out early which is only a hour early... I can't risk losing my job, just like most daycare workers. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

So true PP. The system is not set up for daycare workers to simply take the day off from work. Who will look after the children? Even in big centers llike BH we go to work with fevers, with colds, and everything else.