Is My Child Well Enough for Nursery?

As the weather turns colder and winter bugs begin to make their rounds, many parents find themselves asking the same question over breakfast: “Is my child well enough for nursery today?” Coughs, colds, sniffles, and the occasional tummy bug are all part of early childhood, but knowing when to keep your little one at home and when it’s perfectly fine for them to attend, can be really tricky.

At Poppies, we completely understand the juggle. You want your child to enjoy their nursery day, but you also want to protect them, their friends, and our staff from unnecessary illness. That’s why having clear guidance is so helpful, especially during the busy winter season when germs seem to spread more easily.

This guide explains how to decide when your child is well enough to attend nursery, when they should stay home to recover, and how we support families to keep everyone healthy and happy at Poppies.

 

Understanding When to Keep Your Child at Home

Every child has off days a sniffly nose, a tired morning, or a case of the yawns after a busy weekend! That doesn’t always mean they need to stay home. But there are times when rest and recovery are the best option.

If you’re on the fence, asking yourself “Is My Child Well Enough for Nursery”? then here’s a simple rule of thumb: If your child is too unwell to participate in their normal nursery day, or if their symptoms could easily spread to others, or if they need Calpol to keep their temperature down, it’s best to keep them at home.

That helps your child recover more quickly and protects other children and staff from becoming unwell too.

 

 

Common Illnesses: When to Send and When to Stay Home

Below you’ll find general guidance for some of the most common childhood illnesses and symptoms we see in nursery settings. (If you’re ever unsure, please do check with us, we’re always happy to give advice.)

Coughs and colds

Mild coughs and runny noses are common, especially in winter months.

 ✅ If your child is otherwise bright, eating and drinking, and happy to play, they can usually come to nursery.

❌ If they have a fever, are lethargic, coughing continuously, or not themselves, it’s best to keep them home until they’ve improved.

Fever (high temperature)

If your child has a temperature of 38°C or higher, they should stay at home until they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Sickness and diarrhoea

This one’s really important for everyone’s wellbeing.
❌ Children must stay home for 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea.
This helps prevent viruses like norovirus spreading through the setting.

Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses

If your child has a high temperature and doesn’t feel well enough to attend, keep them home until they feel better and the fever has settled for 24 hours. They don’t need a test unless advised by a doctor.

Conjunctivitis (eye infection)

If your child’s eyes are red, sticky, or crusted with discharge, they are able to come into nursery unless they are upset or uncomfortable.  You can buy over the counter medication if your child is over 2 years old. 

Chickenpox

Children must stay off until all spots have crusted over, usually about 5 days after the first spots appear.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Children can return once they feel well enough, even if spots are still visible, as long as there are no blisters leaking fluid and they’re comfortable.

Ear infections, sore throats, or colds

If your child has pain, fever, or can’t participate in normal activities, a quiet day at home helps. Once they’re eating, drinking, and feeling brighter, they can return.

Head lice

Children are able to attend nursery and we ask you to treat the whole family if someone does have head lice.

 

The 48-Hour Rule, Why It Matters

It can be frustrating to keep your child home for two full days after a tummy bug, especially if they seem fine the next morning. But this 48-hour window is vital for infection control.

Gastro bugs spread incredibly easily, even after symptoms stop and can pass between children, staff, and families quickly. Sticking to the 48-hour rule helps protect everyone and prevents repeated outbreaks.

 

When in Doubt, Check with Us

We completely understand that balancing work, childcare, and family life can be a juggle, especially when your child’s health is in question. If you’re ever unsure and find yourself question “Is my child well enough for nursery?”,  just give us a call or send us a message.

We can help you make the right decision and offer guidance based on your child’s symptoms and how they’re feeling that day.

Sometimes it’s okay to “wait and see” for an hour or two before making a final decision but if your child is clearly unwell or has symptoms of an infectious illness, please keep them home until they’re fully recovered.

 

How We Support Healthy Habits at Poppies

We take health and wellbeing seriously. not just when children are unwell, but every day. At Poppies, we:

• Follow strict hygiene routines, including handwashing and sanitising between activities.
• Clean and disinfect toys and shared spaces regularly.
• Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes (and wash hands afterwards).
• Promote healthy eating and plenty of outdoor play to strengthen immune systems.
• Keep our rooms well-ventilated and comfortable throughout the year.

These simple steps make a huge difference in reducing the spread of common bugs and keeping our nursery a happy, healthy environment.

Talking to Your Child About Feeling Unwell

For younger children, it can be hard to explain how they feel. Here are some gentle ways to help them communicate what’s going on:

• Use simple language like “Does your tummy feel funny?” or “Are you feeling hot or tired?”
• Look for non-verbal cues, quietness, clinginess, or loss of appetite can all signal they’re not feeling right.
• Reassure them that it’s okay to rest and that nursery will still be there when they’re better. 

When They’re Ready to Come Back

Once your child is feeling better, we’ll welcome them back with open arms! Please make sure:

• They’ve completed any necessary exclusion periods (like the 48-hour rule).
• They’re well enough to join in normal nursery activities, we can’t care for children who need one-to-one attention because they still feel poorly.
• You let us know if they’ve been on any new medication or if symptoms are ongoing.

When they return, we’ll help them settle back in gently and catch up on all the fun they’ve missed.

 

Supporting Working Parents

We know that when your child is unwell, it’s not just about them, it affects the whole family. Taking time off work or rearranging plans can be stressful.

That’s why we aim to make our communication clear, supportive, and judgement-free. If your child falls ill at nursery, we’ll contact you straight away and talk through what’s best. And if you’re unsure in the morning, just check in with us and we’ll help you decide together.

Remember, children bounce back quickly a day or two of rest now can help them recover fully and return to nursery ready to learn, play, and thrive.

 

A Caring Note to Our Poppies Families

Every parent faces the “Is my child well enough for nursery?” dilemma and it’s completely normal to find it tricky! The main thing to remember is this: if your child is clearly unwell, needs extra comfort, or could pass something on to others, a day at home is best for everyone.

At Poppies, we’re here to help make those decisions easier. If you’re unsure, just ask, we’ll always offer honest, supportive advice to help you decide what’s right for your child and for the nursery community.

A little rest, a warm cuddle, and a day or two at home can make all the difference and before you know it, they’ll be back to their bright, bubbly selves, ready for another fun-filled day at Poppies.