This is a question that vexes parents. We are all mostly aware that we should keep sick children home, both for their safety, as well as for the protection of other children. Yet, are there any objective criteria?

When should they not be sent to school?

• Fever: Whenever your child has a fever, please do not send them to school. You do know how to check his temperature, don’t you? He could be coming down with something more sinister and contagious, like chicken pox or measles, and he may be putting many other children at risk of acquiring the disease.
  Please do not send the child to school unless they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications.
• Loose motions or vomiting: Children can become dehydrated and salt-depleted and may even have episodes of fainting and unconsciousness that can result in severe injury. It is psychologically devastating to the child if she has an ‘accident’ while at school. Even if she throws up, it is messy and complicated for both the teachers and other children to accept.
• Behavior change: Any clinging behavior or any behavior that is different from normal should alert you that the child is not ready for school on that day, and this may be a harbinger of a serious illness developing. Better that you and your child take it easy that day!
• Red Eye:  Viral conjunctivitis can be highly contagious, and it is best to keep your

  

  child at home, till your doctor advises that it is safe to send her to school.

When is it safe to send your child to school?

So, if your child has the sniffles and a mild cough but is still quite active and playful, it should be fine to send them to school. Remember to send plenty of tissues with him and teach him how to sneeze and cough into the tissues, then dispose of them safely. You have taught your child how to cough and sneeze, haven’t you?

When you do decide to send your child to school, please inform the teacher that the child is feeling slightly under the weather, but is otherwise playful and active. Provide your emergency contact number to both your child and their teacher so that they can contact you immediately, in case their illness worsens.

Above all, be considerate. If you wouldn’t want your child to be around another child who has the same symptoms as your child, then the decision is easy and made for you: avoid school on that day.