Published on Mar 20, 2025 6 min read

4 Clear Signs Your Child Should Stay Home from School or Daycare

Deciding whether your child is too sick for school or daycare can be challenging for parents. Understanding the key signs when keeping them home is essential for their health and to prevent the spread of illness to others. Here are four clear indicators to help you make the right decision and ensure a safe environment for everyone.

1. Fever: A Key Sign Your Child Is Unwell

Fever is often a clear sign that your child’s body is hard at work fighting off an illness, whether viral or bacterial. While it may seem manageable at first, sending them to school or daycare during this time can have serious consequences.

It not only hinders their ability to rest and recover but also increases the likelihood of spreading the illness to classmates and staff. Keeping a sick child at home not only supports their recovery but also helps protect the health of the broader community. Prioritizing rest during illness is key to a speedy and full recovery.

When to Keep Your Child Home:

• If your child’s temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, it’s best to keep them home. Not only does this prevent the spread of illness, but it also gives their body the rest it needs to recover. A fever indicates that their immune system is working to fight off an infection, and rest is a crucial part of the healing process.
• Even if medication temporarily lowers their fever, it’s essential to wait at least 24 hours after they are fever-free without medication before sending them back to school. This ensures they’ve fully recovered and helps protect the health of their classmates and teachers.

Why It’s Important:

Fevers are often symptoms of contagious illnesses like the flu or strep throat. Allowing your child to rest at home doesn’t just help them recover more quickly—it also reduces the risk of spreading germs to classmates and friends.

2. Persistent Cough or Breathing Difficulties

While a mild cough might not always be a reason to keep your child home, a persistent or severe cough—especially if paired with other symptoms—signals the need for rest and medical attention.

When to Keep Your Child Home:

• A frequent, disruptive cough accompanied by wheezing, difficulty breathing, or a persistent tightness in the chest may signal a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
• If the cough produces mucus—particularly if it is thick, discolored, or bloody—or occurs alongside symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, chills, or fatigue, it could indicate an underlying infection or illness that should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Why It’s Important:

A persistent cough could indicate respiratory infections like bronchitis or whooping cough, both of which are highly contagious. Keeping your child at home not only ensures they get the necessary care but also helps prevent the spread of illness to others.

3. Vomiting or Diarrhea: Signs of Digestive Distress

Vomiting and diarrhea are strong signals that your child’s body is battling an infection or digestive issue. These symptoms can cause significant discomfort and quickly lead to dehydration, making it crucial to keep them home until fully recovered.

When to Keep Your Child Home:

• If your child has vomited more than once in 24 hours, monitor them closely for signs of dehydration. Look out for symptoms like a dry mouth, reduced urination, or unusual fatigue. To keep them hydrated, offer small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution.
• If they’ve had three or more episodes of diarrhea in a day, ensure they are drinking plenty of fluids and watch for any signs of dehydration. Once their symptoms start to improve, introducing bland, easy-to-digest foods like rice or bananas can help settle their stomach.
• To prevent the spread of illness and ensure your child has fully recovered, keep them home for at least 24 hours after their last bout of vomiting or diarrhea before returning to school or daycare.

Why It’s Important:

Both vomiting and diarrhea are often triggered by highly contagious viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, which spread rapidly in group settings. Keeping your child home not only allows them time to rehydrate and recover but also helps prevent the spread of illness to others.

4. Unusual Fatigue or Lethargy

Children are naturally energetic and curious, so when your child seems unusually tired, sluggish, or disinterested in their favorite activities, it may signal that something is wrong.

When to Keep Them Home:

• If your child seems too exhausted to participate in their usual daily routines, such as playing, studying, or socializing, or if they are noticeably more irritable or cranky than usual, it could be a sign of concern.
• If they are having difficulty staying awake during regular activities, or if they appear confused, disoriented, or unable to focus, it may indicate an underlying issue that needs attention.

Why It Matters:

Fatigue can be a sign of various underlying issues, such as infections, stress, or other illnesses. Keeping your child at home allows their body the rest it needs to recover while protecting them from the demands of a busy school or daycare environment.

Additional Considerations: Contagious Conditions

Beyond the symptoms mentioned earlier, certain contagious conditions require keeping your child at home to prevent spreading illness. These include:

• Rashes or Skin Infections: Unexplained rashes, especially those paired with itching or fever, may signal conditions like chickenpox, measles, or impetigo.
• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Red, itchy, or crusty eyes often indicate pink eye, a highly contagious condition.
• Head Lice: Children with head lice should remain at home until properly treated and free of both lice and nits.

Communicating with School or Daycare:

When deciding to keep your child home, notify their school or daycare promptly. Clear communication allows staff to take appropriate precautions and adjust their planning as needed. Additionally, many schools and daycares have specific policies regarding when children can return after certain illnesses, so be sure to follow those guidelines.

Balancing Health and Routine:

While your child’s health should always come first, frequent absences can disrupt their learning and daily routine. To find the right balance:

• Promote Good Hygiene: Teach your child to wash their hands thoroughly, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid sharing food or drinks.
• Support a Strong Immune System: Provide a balanced diet, ensure they get sufficient sleep, and encourage regular physical activity to keep their immune system robust.
• Stay Current on Vaccinations: Keeping up with recommended vaccines helps protect your child from preventable illnesses, reducing the chances of missed school days.

Conclusion:

Deciding whether to keep your child home from school or daycare can be difficult, but it plays a vital role in protecting their health and the well-being of others. By closely monitoring symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual fatigue, you can make thoughtful decisions that prioritize your child’s recovery while helping to prevent the spread of illness to others.