ST Forum: Should Sick Kids Be Allowed In?

[Vulcann]

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...llowed-20130301

 

CHILDCARE CENTRES

Should sick kids be allowed in?

Published on Mar 01, 2013

 

MY HUSBAND and I heard from our friends that children sent to childcare centres tend to fall ill frequently, at least in the initial months.

 

As first-time parents, we are concerned and anxious about sending our daughter to a childcare centre.

 

We visited three centres and inquired about their guidelines on admitting children who are unwell.

 

All three centres said they would admit a sick child as long as he does not run a fever higher than 38 deg C. The child would be admitted even if he were having a runny nose or cough, or on medication such as antibiotics.

 

The centres said they were running a business; if they adhered to the Government's "grey" guidelines and barred a sick child from class, working parents would be upset. They would then remove their children from the centres and put them in more "tolerant" centres.

 

We were appalled to hear this. Wouldn't everyone benefit if parents and centres practised social responsibility by not allowing a sick child into the class, where he might spread the illness to other children?

 

Aren't parents granted childcare leave to look after their sick children?

 

I hope to hear from the relevant authorities on the health guidelines for childcare centres.

 

Helen Chong Xu Rong (Ms)

 

[Xanavi]

Sigh, first time parents a lot of funny ideas.

 

Think the kid will grow up softer than strawberries.

[Alim]

Dumbass parent. Let the kid fall sick and build their immune system.

Edited February 28, 2013 by Alim

[Tungsl]

Just to share something about Japanese Children

 

1 - Did you know that Japanese children clean their schools every day for a quarter of an hour with teachers, which... led to the emergence of a Japanese generation who is modest and keen on cleanliness.

 

2 - Did you know that any Japanese citizen who has a dog must carry bag and special bags to pick up dog droppings. Hygiene and their eagerness to address cleanliness is part of Japanese ethics.

 

3 - Did you know that hygiene worker in Japan is called "health engineer" and can command salary of USD 5000 to 8000 per month, and a cleaner is subjected to written and oral tests!!

 

4 - Did you know that Japan does not have any natural resources, and they are exposed to hundreds of earthquakes a year but do not prevent her from becoming the second largest economy in the world? -

 

5 - Did you know that Hiroshima returned to what it was economically vibrant before the fall of the atomic bomb in just ten years?

 

6 - Did you know that Japan prevents the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoor

 

7 - Did you know that in Japan students from the first to sixth primary year must learn ethics in dealing with people -

 

8 - Did you know that the Japanese even though one of the richest people in the world but they do not have servants. The parents are responsible for the house and children -

 

9 - Did you know that there is no examination from the first to the third primary level; because the goal of education is to instill concepts and character building, not just examination and indoctrination. -

 

10 - Did you know that if you go to a buffet restaurant in Japan you will notice people only eat as much as they need without any waste. No wasteful food.

 

11 - Did you know that the rate of delayed trains in Japan is about 7 seconds per year!! They appreciate the value of time, very punctual to minutes and seconds

 

12 -. Did you know that children in schools brush their teeth (sterile) and clean their teeth after a meal at school; They maintain their health from an early age -

 

13 - Did you know that students take half an hour to finish their meals to ensure right digestion When asked about this concern, they said: These students are the future of Japan

 

 

 

[Fishy]

Just to share something about Japanese Children

6 - Did you know that Japan prevents the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoor

 

I just want to clarify this: a few years back when I was in Tokyo, the tour guide told us its acceptable to use mobile phones in the places you had mentioned but people usually avoid doing so because they are afraid they may speak too loud and upset the other passengers. So the issue is not whether they are allowed but rather whether they wanted to. Unless the law has changed over the years.

 

[Vid]

The wife can jolly well quit her job and become a full time mother. No need to send to virus infested childcare centres and won get sick then. Win-win situation

[Toothiewabbit]

Parents like them shd just keep their kids at home and leave the countless good and kind childcare caregivers/teachers alone :angry:

[Robin]

for me its a social responsibility + personal responbility for yr own child

if yr child is sick (no fever) but with cough; runy nose then the child should stay home and rest lor

[Sosaria]

Ha ha ha... typical amateur first-timer parents

 

Kids catch routine illnesses plenty of times, once a month or every 2 months, in childcare centre, in the beginning. But not all cases need to see doctor. Idea is to strengthen their immune systems. By the time K1 or so, should be quite steady already.

 

Personally, I would also feel worried if my child is sick, but still sent to childcare - who knows if the teacher is feeding the meds properly or keeping a close eye on the child. But I understand that not all parents have the luxury of keeping the child at home if they have no childcare support from family members or maids.

Edited March 1, 2013 by Sosaria

[Jtb]

Every parent should be concerned on one main problem in our body system is "sore throat". This will create havoc overnight if it not prevented.many suffered with fever. So anything fried n warm into the mouth will bound to give a sore.discipline with this you n your kids will make a happy life.

[Darryn]

for me its a social responsibility + personal responbility for yr own child

if yr child is sick (no fever) but with cough; runy nose then the child should stay home and rest lor

 

How sick is sick? How much of a cough?

 

If stayed home every time had tickle in throat, would spend half the life at home.

 

A few bugs here and there are part and parcel of life, humans have been handling it for millions of years. What makes kids so soft now?

 

[Sosaria]

What you say is perhaps very true of japan many years ago during their bubble economy when the country was prosperous, respected, and people were generally more well-off. Less and less true nowadays.

 

Now that their economy is spiraling downwards, there is some breakdown in social order, and they also have to contend with a whole generation of "si gi-nah" who reject the traditional values. Same problem faced by other countries, including us.

 

Nevertheless, one reason why japan has been able to maintain their practices and values for so long is that they have few foreigners in their society, and control immigration very strictly

[Xanavi]

Parents....

[Tjkbeluga]

I just want to clarify this: a few years back when I was in Tokyo, the tour guide told us its acceptable to use mobile phones in the places you had mentioned but people usually avoid doing so because they are afraid they may speak too loud and upset the other passengers. So the issue is not whether they are allowed but rather whether they wanted to. Unless the law has changed over the years.

Yes, the word "prevent" is wrong.... Japanese people are more compliant to public manners anyway.... But inside, they are another beast....

 

Also, their primary school does have canteen that sells food. You must bring your own...

[Old-driver]

On the other hand, can this parent not go to work or take child care leave every time her child falls sick?

[Spurman]

Revamp the whole moral educAtion.

 

Our schools teaches useless morals, which lead to selfish parents.

 

The cleAning part. I like. In 10-20yrs time, there's a chAnce we can have more ppl working in these industries

[Gaolow]

I know sure will people wrote about this issue. Being a parent of two kids, I know we try as much as possible to prevent our kids from getting all sort of virus. But if he/she is not expose to the nature environment and always keep in clean area. When he/she fall sick, he/she will be taking more time to recover and most often, anti-biotic will be given.

Another area that the writer forget to mention is the amount of leave you have to look after your kids at home if he/she fall sick. How many working adult have at more than 21 days of leave to do that? If you have only one kid with age below 7, you still have 6 childcare leaves on top of your annual leave, which most company in Singapore, max is 21 days. So total is 54 days per year. If a kid fall sick, it will take normally 7 days to fully recover, with that, in a year, you will spend all the leaves if he/she fall sick more than 7 times per year. How about if you have two or three kids which our government is pushing for it. For those who have maid at home, you still have the maid to help you to take care or those who have parents or in law. How about those who don't have either? I'm in this position, both me and my wife total have up to 54 days and my wife have this so call child sick leave that she can apply if my kids fall sick. for me, my company just provide the most basic, annual leave plus 6 days child care leave. And most of the time, before end of the year, I already used up my leaves and most of the times, the leavce is being used for my kids, be it due to sick or school close.

btw, government give 6 days childcare leaves (3 day paid by government, 3 days by company) per parent(working) irregardless number of children you have. The best part is MCYS allow each childcare or student care center to close their school for max. 5.5 days per year. See my point?

So I can understand why those parents send their children back to the care center even if their kids is not fully recover. Maybe the writer only have one kid, wait till they have second or third then they will shut up and follow the rest of the parents.

Anyway, it good that if school can educate the children about hygienic, like wear a mask, cover when you cough and wash hands every time..the best is use open windows instead of aircon.

Edited March 1, 2013 by Gaolow

[Gnoikj]

As a parent of 2, I understand where the writer is coming from. I cannot accept though that she seems to place blame when it is not necessary. Kids will fall sick because it is a means to help build their immune system. Keeping her kids in a sterile environment and wanting the same to apply to other kids is unrealistic and potentially harmful in the long run. The same principle applies for prescription of antibiotics.