Today I have a sobering post. Unfortunately, this post is rooted in tragedy. I think all providers can learn a lot from the experience of other providers, even bad experiences. So today I want to talk to you about a new policy you should seriously consider adopting. It is called the 24-Hour Rule. Read why you might what to adopt this rule TODAY!
What is the 24-Hour Rule?
Some time ago I wrote about what I have found is a common practice among providers. It was called the 9-Hour Rule. While that practice/policy referred to putting a limit on the maximum hours in care, the 24-Hour Rule refers to and addresses a health concern. Specifically, the 24-Hour Rule is a policy of requiring parents to keep their child out of childcare for 24 hours following receiving immunizations.
Why would a 24-Hour Rule be needed?
As I stated, this particular policy is directly related to a tragic event. A colleague of mine informed me today that a provider in our area had a child die in their care. The child came to the childcare following a medical appointment where immunizations were given. The provider put the child down for a nap as usual, but when she returned the provider found that the child was deceased.
Even though there were no marks on the child or any visual evidence of abuse, the police were called, and the provider was put under arrest and taken into custody. The licensing analyst later would comment that the provider should not have allowed the child to attend the childcare following immunizations being administered.
How to require a 24-Hour Rule
Quite some time ago, I remember reading on some paperwork, that it is advisable that parents keep their child at home following immunizations. This was simply a precaution for the parent to observe the child for any possible complications that might arise.
I just checked and in fact my contract states “Immunizations: When it is time to schedule your Child’s shots, if possible, please schedule them for a Friday or a day when you (Parent) can be with Child for the following 24 hours.” After hearing about the recent death, this is something I feel now needs to be a mandatory policy. I will be removing the words “if possible” from that statement.
Making the Policy Change
The Push-Back
Now listen, I know what you are thinking, “my parents give me push back about keeping their kids home even when they are sick. There is probably no way they will keep their kids home after immunizations, even if I make it a policy.”
I get it! Believe me, I do. I have been there too.
And I also know that providers can feel a bit intimidated by asking parents to follow new policies. And yes, most of our clients are working parents. As such they may find it difficult to arrange to be off work with their child. The problem is, in reality, parents more than likely will need to take some time off from work related to the care of their children.
The fact is it is primarily the parents responsibility to insure the well being of their child.
While all that may very well be true, the primary consideration is the child. The fact is it is primarily the parent’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of their child. Most providers care for more than one or even two children. In the event that a child requires more one-on-one attention, the parent is the best person to administer that care.
Related Reading:
- YOUR POLICIES: Sick and Illness Policy for Childcare
- How to enforce your policies
- How to make policy changes
In this tragic story of a child’s death, perhaps if they had been home with a parent their symptoms may have been recognized in time.
Make the Change
My suggestion is to require that a child be excused from care for a 24-Hour period following receiving immunizations. Perhaps suggesting that those medical appointments be scheduled for Friday afternoons or even Saturday if possible. That way the parent would be able to observe the child over the weekend and identify any potential complications or problems that might arise.
The thing is, this is serious! Most people do not realize the very real liability the childcare provider has caring for other people’s children.
Which is why the provider should take steps to protect not only their selves but also their business with sound policies that they will enforce.
Personally, I will be issuing a Policy Change Memo to my clients this week to advise them of our revised policy related to the 24-Hour Rule following immunizations. The policy will not have the usual 30-day grace period but will be effective immediately. I will stress the need for immediate change is to protect the health and well-being of the children in care.
14 Responses
I currently have a policy that states the child cannot get shots in the morning and come to daycare afterwards. I will be amending it to 24 hours right away. My reason was irritability and fussiness, fever. I never thought about a more serious outcome. Thank you for the post.
Perfect! I think all providers need to consider this policy. Thanks for the comment!
What a sad situation. I wish that licensing would be the one to mandate this !
They enforce ridiculous rules so why not a good one ?
My issue is that parents lie and hide things from me.
So I think in my case I will say that I was told from my analyst to start this asap.
Thanks for sharing this important and very sad story.
I so agree! We have to protect not only the children we care for but our businesses too. Thanks so much for the comment!!
I agree 100%. I am going to adopt this policy and let everyone know that It came from higher up.
Yes! Actually, you are absolutely right since it is considered a BEST practice in caring for the well-being of the child. Thanks so much for the comment!
Where can I obtain the parent brochure?
Thank you!
Thanks for your interest. You can order the brochure right from our website at: https://thrivingchildcare.com/brochures/
What a great policy! I honestly have never heard of a death after immunizations. That’s a super scary thought. All of my parents will be getting this policy update today!! Thanks for sharing this.
I know what you mean. Neither had I. It was such a tragic outcome that might have been prevented by having this policy in place. Thanks so much the comment Laurie.
Is death after child immunization common? What are the statistics on this?
I think it is quite rare, but bad reactions to vaccinations can happen. Which is probably why it is advised and a good practice to observe the child for 24 hours. Thanks for your question.
Extremely rare. Even if it had happened at home while the child was playing and the parent watching it is unlikely that anything could have been done. With that being said I have two points to make. One is that we do not need ANY more rules. The system is broken and not working like it should anyway. Second point is that while I do not want ANY such tragedies happening in my care I am not going to assume that the child gets better supervision at home. I know the majority of the time this is not even remotely the case. Another story about a parent checking on a child that was suddenly quiet and all the mischief the child got into comes to mind. I hear those stories all the time. Any one of them could have been a tragedy. Hands down most providers do a better job of supervising children then their parents do. After all that is what we do 12 hours a day. Moms and dads come home from work and still have to mow the lawn and fix meals and pay bills, etc. Who’s watching Johnny?
90% of the rules we have to follow are based on 1 or 2 extremely rare events that happened somewhere in our country. As a result we are cutting strings to fans on vaulted ceilings down to 7 inches and getting rid of bird baths to avoid being out of compliance because an inch of water can be fatal. That water is so dangerous I am still wondering why we haven’t fenced off the toilet or been forced to use composting toilets. Fact is any one of us could get hit by space debri on any given day. When a child dies from that what rule will be made to keep that from happening?
Bryan I completely agree! The system is completely broken and probably the last thing providers need is another arbitrary rule. However, if we are going to be held accountable for a standard or judgement call after the fact, perhaps we should put some rules in place of our own. Rules that not only could help the the children but also help prevent and protect our businesses. In this case, my suggestion to adopt this rule is completely voluntary. I have adopted it for my business as a preventative measure. So that at least I have addressed the matter and God forbid should a tragedy occur, I will have a leg to stand on. Thanks for your comment and expressing what I am sure so many providers feel.