When Drop and Go Becomes Drop and Run

More and more day care centers are catering to busy parents who need to "drop and go" in terms of leaving their kids at care and quickly dashing off to make it to the office or important meeting. In fact, some higher-end facilities even offer curbside service where staff members greet busy parents at the car and escort kids safely inside. A downside to this convenience, however, is being noted as some parents have transformed the quick exit into a sneaky "drop and run" technique of leaving a sick kid with a caregiver and running out the door before it's noticed that the child is ill. And the damage is done in terms of illness being spread to others by the time the parent can be contacted to pick the kid back up.

The "drop and run" syndrome, as is commonly and less-than-affectionately referenced among child care providers everywhere is more apparent during cold-and-flu seasons and other times of year when kids are more apt to develop cases of sniffles, coughs and fever. It's even been utilized for more severe cases of strep throat, childhood diseases, and highly-contagious illnesses such as pinkeye.

Why do parents try 'drop and run?'

Caregivers indicate that parents in most every case fully know their child is sick, but feel trapped that they have no other alternative care for their child. In many cases, a parent has a major work deadline, mandatory meeting, or other employment-related pressure that they believe they simply cannot miss. It's particularly hard for a working parent when that individual has a presentation to make or other high-stress situation that makes work attendance extra important. Child care providers indicate that these parents often give their kids a dose of medication before leaving home to ease symptoms and increase the comfort of the child, and often rationalize to themselves that they will only work for part of the day and get their kid early. Of course, the flaw in that thinking is not only is it not fair to the sick kid to be thrust into a care setting away from the comfort of home but it also exposes all the other classmates(parents and staff too) to the illness as well. This action then can set off a bout of strep (or whatever the illness) across the classroom and affect many more kids before the illness is eventually contained.

What can providers do to avoid 'drop and run?'

Establish a sick policy at the daycare. It is much easier to discuss sick policies and "no attendance" rules with a parent if a policy is already in place. Having a sick policy established and requiring parents to acknowledge receipt of it and understanding puts the daycare center administrators in a position of strength of not taking a sick child.

Reference sick policies at area schools and consider utilizing the same parameters. If a nearby elementary school will not allow a child to attend class until after he is fever-free and has not thrown up in a designated amount of time (usually it is 24-48 hours), then the daycare should consider the same restrictions. Again, the center must consider the health of all children.

Train workers on ways to recognize sick children and steps to take if a drop and run is suspected. The manager should consider implementing rules that are clearly posted for parents that sick children will not be admitted until certain requirements are followed. Depending on the illness, it is also reasonable to require a doctor's note that the child is able to attend daycare and be around other children. A system should be put into place that empowers staff to require parents to have a brief consultation with the manager with their child to assess health and whether a child can remain.

Providers should require staff to personally greet each child and parent before the child is left. This initial "hello" can quickly alert a trained caregiver that a child is not well. If certain symptoms are noted or the child seems particularly lethargic or whiny, or demonstrates other out-of-character behavior, a staff member should indicate more conversation is needed. Ask the parent directly questions about the child and health. Remember that the needs of the many should always outweigh any work needs of one.

Speak with a sick kid directly. Youngsters--even those who don't feel well--will often quickly talk about how they threw up all night or had to take baths to make them not so hot. If fever is suspected, ask a parent to wait while a child's temperature is taken.

See next page for 'when providers must say decline caring for a sick kid' and how parent should plan backup care.