Illness Policy
To protect all children, families, and the provider, sick children must stay home when they are not well enough to participate in the regular daycare day — including indoor play, meals, nap/rest time, transitions, and outdoor play.
Inside-only care is not available for children who are too sick to go outside. Parents/guardians are expected to check their child's health before arriving each day.
When Children Must Stay Home
Fever
A temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or higher, or signs of fever such as chills, unusual tiredness, flushed skin, body aches, or feeling unwell.
Return rule: Child may return when fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and well enough to participate in the full daycare routine.
Vomiting or diarrhea
Child must stay home if they have had vomiting or diarrhea.
Return rule: Child may return after being 48 hours symptom-free.
Contagious illness
Child must stay home if they have, or are suspected to have, a contagious illness that could spread to others. Examples: Strep throat, Pink eye with discharge, Impetigo, Hand, foot and mouth disease with fever or open/uncomfortable sores, Flu-like illness, Unexplained rash with fever, Any illness requiring exclusion by Public Health or a medical professional.
Coughing or nasal discharge
Child must stay home if they have a frequent uncontrolled cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or thick constant nasal discharge combined with low energy, fever, discomfort, or inability to participate.
Unable to participate
Child must stay home if they need more care than Victoria can safely provide while caring for the group. This includes children who are too tired or unwell to play, unable to eat or drink normally, unable to participate in outdoor play, needing constant one-on-one comfort, crying persistently due to illness or discomfort, or not themselves and unable to manage the regular daycare routine.
Medication note
Medication cannot be used to mask symptoms so a child can attend daycare.
If symptoms begin at daycare
If a child becomes ill during the day, parents/guardians will be contacted. The child must be picked up within 60 minutes of contact. If a parent/guardian cannot arrive within 60 minutes, an authorized emergency pickup person must be contacted.
Doctor's notes
Medical advice may be considered; however, the daycare illness policy and the provider's ability to safely care for the full group will still be used when deciding whether a child can attend.
Provider discretion
For the health and safety of the daycare, Victoria reserves the right to refuse care or send a child home if she believes they are too unwell to attend, even if the symptoms are not specifically listed.
Should My Child Stay Home Today?
This tool is not medical advice. It is a daycare attendance checklist to help parents decide whether their child can attend care today. If you are concerned about your child's health, contact a medical professional.
1. Does your child have a fever of 38°C / 100.4°F or higher?
2. Has your child vomited or had diarrhea in the last 48 hours?
3. Did your child need fever-reducing medication to get through the morning?
4. Is your child too tired, uncomfortable, upset, or unwell to participate in the full daycare routine?
5. Can your child participate in outdoor play today?
6. Does your child have frequent uncontrolled coughing, trouble breathing, or wheezing?
7. Does your child have thick constant nasal discharge plus low energy, fever, discomfort, or inability to participate?
8. Does your child have a contagious illness, suspected contagious illness, or rash with fever?
9. Has your child been told by a doctor, public health, school, or another program to stay home?
10. Would your child need more one-on-one care than usual today because they are unwell?